Religion is a broad term that describes many different belief systems. It encompasses a range of practices, from prayer and meditation to moral conduct and participation in religious institutions. Religions also often include sacred texts, symbols, and holy spaces that have the potential to explain the origin and meaning of life. They often teach that human beings have a soul or spirit that lives on after death and can be transported to a special place of peace (Heaven or Nirvana) or to a place of pain and suffering (Hell). Many religions have a system of reincarnation in which people return to the world in new bodies to live out their existence.

The idea of religion has been widely discussed by philosophers, sociologists, historians, and other social scientists since the 19th century. Some have argued that religion is a social construct—that is, it is created by human beings and that it helps them deal with the uncertainty of life. These ideas have become popularized by a variety of thinkers, including Max Weber and Ludwig Feuerbach.

Other scholars have taken a more skeptical view of the concept of religion. They argue that it is not possible to offer a general definition of the term and that sweeping generalizations about religion are risky. Kwame Anthony Appiah, a contemporary philosopher, has suggested that perhaps there is no such thing as a religion and that we should proceed carefully with the use of the term.