Common Practices in Religion
Saniyyah Johnson
REL/133
January 11, 2016
Gerald Grudzen

Common Practices in Religion
There are a lot of common practices in various religions some of the common practices are praying, or reading a holy book. When you look at the definition of religion. It states the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods. A particular system of faith and worship. A pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance. This definition is not accurate according to (A brief overview of religion blog by Anjail Rogers Saturday September 27, 2014). For many years attempts to define religion have continuously been made; however as the world continues to change so does the meaning because it could very well be possible that “a definition may apply to religions of the past, but may not be suitable for a religion of the future” (Molloy, 2013 p.6). There are many different definitions for religion, however the most basic definition states that religion is “a system of thought, feeling, and action that is shared by a group and that gives the members and object of devotion; a code of behavior by which individuals may judge the personal and social consequences of their actions; and a frame of reference by which individuals may relate to their group and their universe” ("Religion," 2013). Traditional dictionary definitions of religion reference “worships of a God or gods, prayer, ritual, and a moral code” (Molloy, 2013 p.6); however that definition does not cover all religions and that is why “a list of series of characteristics” is a more practical way to give meaning to religion. The characteristics that give meaning to religion are belief system, community, central myths, rituals, ethics, characteristics emotional expressions, material expression and sacredness. Common practices and experiences