A complex idea, religion is a taxon that sorts a broad range of practices. This article tries to bring out the inner side of this phenomenon, a side not easily observable as is the case with most social phenomena. For that reason the student of religion should not limit himself to the study of texts describing beliefs and narratives; it is best that he talk with people from their faith, but also with scholars from other religions.

Generally speaking, what is aimed at by man in his religious zeal is communion with the Divine. It is this that drives him voluntarily to perform certain acts of homage, and it is in order to secure the bliss-bringing help of the Divine that his whole life is guided. The Divine is conceived of as a personality, omnipotent and omniscient, in and behind all forces of nature. Man is aware of his dependence on this personality and of his incapacity to achieve the perfection that is his innate aim. Conformity to the accepted moral standards is also a part of religion, though it tends to be given lower priority.

The derivation of the word religion is controversial, although Cicero in “De natura deorum” II, xxviii, argues that it should be taken from religio, meaning scrupulousness, a sense of a devoted obligation, or conscientiousness, a feeling of duty. Max Müller, however, prefers the etymology of a more simple notion, namely that of religiosi, meaning devoted or a felt obligation.