ReligionReligion can be defined as a system of beliefs and worship which includes a code of ethics and a philosophy of life. More than 90% of the world's population adheres to some form of religion. The problem is that there are so many different religions. What is the right religion? What is true religion? The two most common ingredients in religions are rules and rituals. Some religions are essentially nothing more than a list of rules, do's and don'ts, that a person must observe in order to be considered a faithful follower of that religion and, therefore, in agreement with the God of this religion. Islam and Judaism are two examples of rules-based religions. Islam has its five pillars which must be observed. Judaism has hundreds of commandments and traditions that must be observed. Buddhism and Hinduism are also primarily ritual-based religions, but can also, to a lesser extent, be considered rule-based. I believe that true religion is not based on rules or rituals, but rather on a true relationship with God. True religion has rules and rituals, but there is one crucial difference. In true religion, rules and rituals are observed out of gratitude for the salvation God has provided NOT for the purpose of obtaining that salvation. I believe that the true religion, which is biblical Christianity, has rules to follow and rituals to observe. Observance of these rules and rituals is not what makes a person righteous before God. Rather, these rules and rituals are the result of relationship with God, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone as Savior. False religion is doing things to try to gain favor with God. True religion is receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and thus having a right relationship with God, then doing...... middle of paper ...... also rendered other services to the humanity among which Sumner and Keller included the arrangement of labor, the spread of education, the accumulation of capital and the creation of a leisure class. For thousands of years, religion has had a great influence on economic and political life. Even today, religion is called upon to support rulers, contacts and other legal procedures. Religion creates diversities among people. This creates a divide between them. In the name of God and religion, looting, massacres, rape and other cruel and inhumane treatment were inflicted on people. Religion has made people blind, dumb and deaf to reality. They have faith without blind reasoning. On the contrary, it has often caused people to become bigots and fanatics. Intolerance and bigotry have led to persecution, inhumane treatment and misery in the past..