Religion is defined as what?

• A. Rituals alone
• B. A geographic institution
• C. An economic activity
• D. A culturally entrenched pattern of behavior composed of sacred beliefs, emotional feelings accompanying beliefs and overt conduct implementing beliefs

Answer: (D)

Religion is a system that a group shares, bringing together sacred beliefs, the feelings those beliefs generate, and the outward actions by which those beliefs are lived. It’s more than rituals, which are just expressions of faith, and it isn’t defined by geography or by economic activity. The strength of this definition lies in tying together what people believe, how those beliefs feel, and what they actually do because of them. In restorative art, recognizing a family’s religious beliefs helps guide how to honor viewing, cleansing, and preparation practices, respecting norms about modesty, the afterlife, and mourning.