You may have noticed that many English religious words originally had rather ordinary common-place definitions not referring to religion. These words, usually brought into English from other languages, became more intense in meaning and then gradually restricted to their present-day religious usage. For example, the Latin and Spanish word pastor (and the very similiar Italian word pastore) for shepherd has become our English word pastor used by many denominations strictly as a religious title for their ministers and various clergy. Religion is another such word with its roots in a simple and non-religious definition. According to Websters New Collegiate Dictionary, the ordinary meaning of this word is: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith. This definition explains how biblical Christianity, denominational Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Aryanism, and several others faith systems can be identified as religions. Even atheism, which insists there is no god or deity of any kind whatsoever, can still be described as a religion because it offers a belief or cause or principle in which some people do passionately put their trust. |