Final answer:
Religion is defined in the text as a social process that orders society and provides meaning and unity among its members.
Step-by-step explanation:
The authors of the text provide a definition of religion as a social process that helps to order society and provide its members with meaning, unity, peace of mind, and the degree of control over events they believe are possible. Religion, as a social institution, includes an organized and integrated set of beliefs, behaviors, and norms centered on basic social needs and values. It is also recognized as a cultural universal, found in all social groups, as evidenced by universal practices such as funeral rites that exist in every culture, although they may vary between cultures and religious affiliations.