A social taxon is often referred to as a religion. Many “world” religions are categorized under the umbrella term of religion. These include Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Yoruba, and others. A “world” religion may be defined as any one of several groups, including several members and many tokens. There are many examples of religions throughout the world, and each group has distinctive characteristics.
Religion as a social taxon
There is an ongoing debate over the concept of religion, but the underlying idea is essentially the same. Rather than identifying a single entity, religion is made up of distinct components that are shaped by stable cognitive underpinnings. The cognitive science of religion research has not sought to prove that representations of religion are universally shared, but rather that the diverse practices of religion are restricted by the evolved cognitive predispositions of individuals.
This special issue brings together seven articles that address different elements of religion as a social taxon. The authors represent a diverse range of religious traditions, geographies, and authorships, ranging from optimism to fears of totalitarian dystopia. The articles address themes such as religious identity, dominant milieux, and the role of minority religions. In this way, readers will find an engaging and provocative collection of original work.
Diversity of religions
When it comes to religious diversity, the United States is far behind other nations. Its adherence to one major religion has decreased while its presence and influence has increased. Moreover, a growing number of nonreligious people exist in many regions, including in Canada. In addition, there are more minoritarian religions and Indigenous spiritualities than ever before. This new diversity is also reflected in changes in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Despite its negative connotations, the term “exclusivist” has become a standard for discussing religious diversity. This term refers to both general attitudes toward other religions and to theories based on religious diversity. In addition, pluralist religiosity is defined as “an informed tolerance and sympathetic attitude to other religions.”
Relationship between religion and human rights
This volume aims to explore the complex relationship between religion and human rights. Contributors, who represent different religious traditions, address a range of topics, including the impact of religion on environmental rights, the role of women in India and Iran, and the imposition of criminal justice across the globe. The book also includes responses to questions raised by contributors on religion and human rights. While there are similarities between religion and human rights, there are also differences.
The UN’s General Assembly has emphasized that it is important to protect human rights, even at the cost of promoting religious diversity. Religious diversity is inextricably bound to cultural diversity. Globalisation has made this an unavoidable issue in our society. Therefore, this issue is of particular concern to the UN. Religion and human rights are intimately related and should be addressed as such. In the United Nations, the issue of religious diversity is often presented as a matter of international law.
Definition of religion
There are two ways of defining religion. A substantive definition refers to the ‘essence’ of a particular belief. An empirical definition, on the other hand, refers to the practices of a religion. Neither approach can encompass all religious practices, which is why both approaches require some sort of criterion for inclusion in the category. While each approach has its advantages and disadvantages, it is important to keep in mind that the substantive definition is often more accurate.
The traditional definition of religion is based on a person’s moral beliefs, such as religious convictions or the desire to do good. It reflects how those beliefs relate to the individual. This approach may be too simplistic for some people, however. Many people believe that a religious belief is based on a set of values, and this definition of religion is a good starting point. A more contemporary definition focuses on the social context of religious beliefs.