Religion
A religion is generally said to be a set of beliefs, practices and laws based on the existence of supernatural forces; however, the exact definition of religion has been the subject of much debate throughout history. Religions have existed since prehistoric times, and while some have managed to survive in a recognisable form to present day, many religions go extinct once their originating culture dissolves.
While religions exist in a tremendous variety, many of them share a number of characteristics: they posit that there exists a supernatural world which humans can interact with through rituals and prayer; that there are one or more supernatural intelligences which influence the universe, for better or worse; that these intelligences were responsible for the creation of the universe and humanity; and that these intelligences gifted humanity with a set of laws and morals that must be followed to gain access to a pleasant afterlife. These laws and morals are often a reflection of the social context in which they were created, making many religions difficult to transplant to new locations and necessitating either modifications to the religion to bring it in line with local customs, or the use of force.
The precise origin of religion is a matter of significant debate. While many religions present florid tales of gods walking among men or prophets receiving divine wisdom, modern science has suggested religion is means for the human mind to cope with a world it cannot understand; as a means of providing social cohesion; as a means to justify the enactment of laws; or as a means to subjugate populations.
Because many religions carry within them both an element - or even commandment - of proselytism, and a dogmatic belief that one's own religion is the only correct one, various religions have clashed violently throughout history. With conflicts ranging from mere discrimination to outright war, religion has been one of the major driving forces that shaped, and shapes, the modern world. This influence is still felt today in scientific, social and political matters.
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