There are two fundamental types of questions that we ask as human beings.  The first is practical, ie how.  The second is philosophical, ie why.

Practical is answered best by science, engineering, and similar disciplines.
Philosophical questions honestly are not adequetly addressed by science.

Biology tells us that your only purpose in life is to replicate your DNA.  Thats it.  Nothing else.  If you were the greatest genius who ever lived, earned billions and inspired millions with your work, you failed. Bubba the halfwit drunk in the trailer park with six kids by six different ex-girlfriends, won.

Some part of us honestly is unsatisfied with this being the only point of being human.  Some part of us feels somethng more profound, less easily quantified, but still so powerfully present that most of us cannot ignore it, even if we can find little rational reason why its practice should benefit us.

We turn to philosophy, to faith, to honour, to all those fuzzy sounding illogical ideas that caused us to start painting on cave walls, and scratching symbols into stone.

We accept that we are more than flesh, more than a sack of carbon based chemicals in a controlled burn and advancing state of decay. 

I am.   One day I will be gone.  While I live I will honour the gods, protect and nurture my kin, serve my country and my folk, and live with honour that will make my descendants strive to equal, and my ancestors proud to name me as their own.

I don't ask the gods how, and I don't ask science why.   If you dissagree, well, I can't say it really matters to me much. :)

[QUOTE=OmarKhayyam;711083]OK, let's say arguendo we allow ALL that is true. You have this "sense" and you accept this as evidence of "something" not otherwise explained, etc.

Is THAT religion?:eek:

I submit it is NOT. And as evidence for that assertion I ask, where are your holy texts, where are your priests, where are your temples, where are your sacraments? How do you describe your "god"?:confused:

Absent these things you have a natural wonder at the complexity of universe which can summed up as - something, somewhere, is a lot smarter than I am.

That ain't that 'ole timy religion' Nor by a long shot.[/QUOTE]

If that was to me I shall reply.

I have my holy text, they are called the Edda.  I have had priests for years, we call them ghodi.  I have to admit to some surprise that I was elected to the position of FreyR or sacral leader of the Freehold at the last Althing so now I am among the priests of the faith.

Our gods are the Aesir (gods and goddesses of the spirit), and the Vanir (gods and goddesses of the material world).  Our temples are usually outside, although we have been building a sacral mead hall for the last few years, and when completed will be the first purpose raised Asatru temple in Canada since the Viking settlements of Newfoundland a thousand years ago. 

As far as old time religion goes, we were happily practicing it back in the First Century when Tacitus wrote Germania, and kept it until the brutal suppression by such leaders as Charlemagne who found the Saxon Heathens were unwilling to tollerate absolute dictators, unwilling to give up their ancient faith, or ancient freedoms until put to the slaughter by the "Holy" "Roman" "Empire" of pig ignorant feudalist horse barbarians who liked the whole idea of the "divine right of kings" that Christianity was selling.

I did not imply that ours is in any way the only faith of humanity, nor even the best for others.  The question was asked why religion in general, so I avoided specifics that are not universal.  I fully expect others to seek their own answers.  That is the purpose of sentience, is it not?

[QUOTE=OmarKhayyam;711083]OK, let's say arguendo we allow ALL that is true. You have this "sense" and you accept this as evidence of "something" not otherwise explained, etc.

Is THAT religion?:eek:

I submit it is NOT. And as evidence for that assertion I ask, where are your holy texts, where are your priests, where are your temples, where are your sacraments? How do you describe your "god"?:confused:

Absent these things you have a natural wonder at the complexity of universe which can summed up as - something, somewhere, is a lot smarter than I am.

That ain't that 'ole timy religion' Nor by a long shot.[/QUOTE]

The Most Basic Essence
of "Religion"
is ... "Worship" ....

"The Most Basic Essence
of "Religion"
is ... "Worship" ...."

WOW! Now there’s a compelling and profound observation. Reminds me again of why the good Fr. Is on my ignore list.

Perhaps you explain how this justifies, nay requires, a story about a Jewish zombie who is coming back to punish me for something I didn’t do not only be true but the ONLY truth ever.:confused:

[QUOTE=Ken;712069]Except when it isn't. Many forms of Buddhism omit the devotional element. We also know of religions that consist of propitiatory or magical practices without worship.[/QUOTE]

uh huh ...

"Buddhism" -- a later development of The Hindu Faith --
is rather an unusual "Religion,"
isn't it ... ???

Even at THAT,
however,
"Buddhist" Practice DOES commonly include
Prayers, Hymns, Chants, Sacrifice
  -- all of which are Elements of ... "Worship" ....