- "Religion is a range of social-cultural systems, including designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that generally relate humanity to supernatural, transcendental, and spiritual elements."
A system of beliefs, practices, values, and institutions that provides a framework for understanding and responding to the spiritual and moral dimensions of life.
Anthropology of Religion: The anthropology of religion involves studying the beliefs, practices, and cultural significance of religious systems in different societies by examining their rituals, symbols, and social dynamics.
World Religions: The topic of World Religions examines the major, diverse religious traditions and their representations in media, exploring their practices, beliefs, and impact on societies globally.
History of Religion: The history of religion in media studies examines the depiction, representation, and evolution of religious beliefs and practices across different forms of media throughout time.
Religion and Society: Religion and Society explores the influence of religious beliefs, practices, and institutions on individuals and communities within a social, cultural, and historical context.
Religion, Culture, and Identity: The topic of Religion, Culture, and Identity explores the ways in which religious beliefs and practices intersect with cultural contexts to shape individual and collective identities.
Religious Rituals and Practices: Religious rituals and practices in Media Studies and Religion focus on the portrayal, representation, and exploration of various religious ceremonies, customs, and traditions in media and their significance in shaping religious identities and beliefs.
Religious Texts and Scriptures: Religious Texts and Scriptures refer to sacred writings of various religions that hold religious significance and are studied in relation to their interpretation, impact, and representation in media.
Religion and Ethics: Religion and Ethics explores the intersection between religious beliefs, values, moral codes, and their portrayal in media, examining their influence on individuals, society, and media representation.
Theology and Philosophy of Religion: The topic of Theology and Philosophy of Religion explores the fundamental questions, concepts, and theories concerning religion and its relation to human existence and the broader world, focusing on critical analysis and interpretation from a philosophical and theological perspective.
Mythology and Folklore: Mythology and Folklore in Media Studies and Religion explores the influence and representation of ancient myths, legends, and traditional stories in various media forms and their impact on religious and cultural beliefs.
Religious Art and Symbolism: Religious art and symbolism explores the visual representation of religious beliefs, practices, and spirituality in various forms of media.
Comparative Religion Studies: Comparative Religion Studies in the context of Media Studies and Religion explores the similarities and differences among various religious traditions to analyze their representation and portrayal in media.
Religion and Politics: Examining the relationship between religious beliefs, institutions, and values and their impact on political ideologies, policies, and governance.
Religion and Economics: Religion and Economics explores the interplay between religious beliefs, practices, and institutions with economic systems, policies, and issues.
Psychoanalysis of Religion: Psychoanalysis of Religion refers to the psychological interpretation and analysis of religious beliefs, symbols, and practices in media, exploring their underlying subconscious motives and effects on individuals and societies.
Religion and Science: The topic of Religion and Science explores the complex interactions and tensions between religious beliefs, practices, and scientific advancements.
Religion and Gender Studies: Religion and Gender Studies examines the intersection between religious beliefs, practices, and gender identities, investigating the ways in which religion shapes and is influenced by gender roles, power dynamics, and social constructs.
Religion and Globalization: Religion and Globalization explores the impact, interactions, and transformations of religious beliefs, practices, and institutions in the context of an increasingly interconnected and diverse global world.
Religion and Violence: Religion and Violence explores the complex relationship between religious beliefs, practices, and the manifestation of violence in various forms, ranging from individual acts to organized conflicts.
Religion and Human Rights: The topic of Religion and Human Rights examines the intersection between religious beliefs, practices, and their influence on the promotion, protection, and violation of fundamental human rights.
Spirituality and Mysticism: The topic of Spirituality and Mysticism in Media Studies and Religion explores the portrayal, representation, and influence of mystical and spiritual beliefs and practices in various forms of media.
Religious Critics and Debates.: Religious Critics and Debates in Media Studies explore the critical analysis and often contentious discussions surrounding various religious beliefs, practices, and representations in the media.
Abrahamic religions: The three major monotheistic faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - that trace their spiritual lineage back to the prophet Abraham.
Eastern religions: This category encompasses a variety of religious traditions originating from Asia, including Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shintoism, and Buddhism.
African traditional religions: This category encompasses the indigenous religions of Africa, which are often animistic and ancestor-worshiping.
Native American religions: This category encompasses the spiritual traditions of the indigenous peoples of North America, which are often animistic and centered on a holistic relationship with nature.
New religious movements: This category encompasses modern, non-traditional religious movements such as Scientology, Wicca, and UFO religions.
Mystical religions: This category encompasses spiritual traditions that emphasize the direct experience of the divine or mystical realms, such as Sufism in Islam, Kabbalah in Judaism, and Gnosticism in Christianity.
Secular religions: This category encompasses belief systems that function in a similar manner to religions, but do not involve a deity, such as humanism, nationalism, or environmentalism.
- "Although there is no scholarly consensus over what precisely constitutes a religion."
- "Religious practices may include rituals, sermons, commemoration or veneration (of deities or saints), sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trances, initiations, matrimonial and funerary services, meditation, prayer, music, art, dance, or public service."
- "Religions have sacred histories and narratives, which may be preserved in sacred texts, symbols, and holy places, that primarily aim to give life meaning."
- "Religions may contain symbolic tales that may attempt to explain the origin of life, the universe, and other phenomena; some followers believe these to be true stories."
- "Four religions—Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism—account for over 77% of the world's population."
- "92% of the world either follows one of those four religions or identifies as nonreligious."
- "The religiously unaffiliated demographic includes those who do not identify with any particular religion, atheists, and agnostics, although many in the demographic still have various religious beliefs."
- "A portion of the world's population, mostly located in Africa and Asia, are members of new religious movements."
- "The study of religion comprises a wide variety of academic disciplines, including theology, philosophy of religion, comparative religion, and social scientific studies."
- "Most definitively including the Abrahamic religions Christianity, Islam, and Judaism."
- "Nearly all of them have regionally based, relatively small followings."
- "Traditionally, both faith and reason have been considered sources of religious beliefs."
- "Scholars have indicated that global religiosity may be increasing due to religious countries having generally higher birth rates."
- "Both faith and reason have been considered sources of religious beliefs."
- "Religious practices may include rituals, commemorations or veneration (of deities or saints), sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trances, initiations, matrimonial and funerary services..."
- "Although there is an estimated 10,000 distinct religions worldwide, nearly all of them have regionally based, relatively small followings."
- "Religion is a range of social-cultural systems that generally relate humanity to supernatural, transcendental, and spiritual elements."
- "Different religions may or may not contain various elements ranging from the divine, sacredness, faith, and a supernatural being or beings."
- "Religions have sacred histories and narratives, which may be preserved in sacred texts, symbols, and holy places."