What is Religion ?

Different people think different things about religion and spirituality. As understood in India,
what religion is can be put, in the words of Swami Vivekananda, as below.
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Each soul is potentially divine.

The goal is to manifest this Divinity within, by controlling nature, external and internal.

Do this either by work, or worship, or psychic control, or philosophy -- by one, or more, or all of these
and BE FREE.This is the whole of religion. Doctrines, or dogmas, or rituals, or books, or temples, or
forms are but secondary details.
(From commentary on Patanjali Yoga Sutras II.25)
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Explanation of terms ...

soul
A soul is a self-conscious being with a past and a present. A soul might or might not have a physical body.

divine
By divine, we mean the following --

* Absolute (Eternal) Existence
* Absolute Knowledge
* Absolute Bliss
* Absolute Freedom

nature
Nature is anything other than the Self. Anything objectifiable -- anything which can be referred to
as "This is (my) _____" is a part of Nature. This includes the physical universe, the body, the mind, the intellect, the ego.

external and internal
The mind, intellect and ego are internal. The body and the physical universe are external.

control
To "control" is to "be free from the influence of".

work
This constitutes Karma Yoga -- the path of selfless work.

Prerequisite -- capacity to work
Quality to be developed -- selflessness
Pitfall -- attachment to results

worship
This constitutes Bhakti Yoga -- the path of devotion.

Prerequisite -- capacity to feel emotionally
Quality to be developed -- control of emotions
Pitfall -- sentimentalism

psychic control
This constitutes Raja Yoga -- the path of concentration.

Prerequisite -- concentration of mind
Quality to be developed -- will power
Pitfall -- supernatural powers

philosophy
This constitutes Jnana Yoga -- the path of knowledge.

Prerequisite -- sharp intellect
Quality to be developed -- self-enquiry
Pitfall -- dry logic (intellectual gymnastics)

... by one or more, or all of these ...
The core of every religion is a combination of the four paths. Depending on the capability of the person,
he/she can pick up one or more of them.

Be Free
This is the goal -- to be free from all attachments.

Doctrines
Every religion has a "model" of man, world and God. These are the assumptions on which the practical
religion is based on.

Dogmas
Every religion has a set of beliefs. It is a place to start. Later, at advanced stages, all beliefs have to be
understood. Dogmas are only for beginners.

Rituals
Every religion has a set of rituals and regulations to be followed. These are mainly to develop the
prerequisites and the desired qualities for a person following the particular path; no further.

Books
Almost every well established religion has a book. These are guidelines given by people who have
tread the path before.

Temples
These are places exclusively meant for practice of the religion. These are aids to put the person into
the grove. Practice of religion must carried out everywhere.

Forms
These are aids for the mind to concentrate on the goal. Forms are meant to remind the person of God;
no further.

In the words of Swami Vivekananda,
Religion is the Eternal Relationship between the Eternal Soul and the Eternal God.