Final answer:
Religion is a complex system of beliefs and practices that people consider sacred or spiritually significant, which can include, but is not limited to, the belief in supernatural elements, and is practiced individually or in a group setting, contributing to a community's cultural practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
Religion is a term that encompasses various systems of belief and practice, defining what individuals and communities deem sacred or spiritual. It traces its etymological roots to Latin words religio (respect for what is sacred) and religare (to bind, signifying an obligation). Renowned sociologist Émile Durkheim described religion as “a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things...”, which unite individuals into a single moral community, often referred to as a church.
Religion can also be seen as a complex of symbols, according to anthropologist Clifford Geertz, which establishes motivations and a general order of existence, giving practitioners a sense of identity and meaning. It is visible in aspects of culture like festivals, marriage, music, art, meditation, and other community practices. Overall, religion is not confined solely to god or the supernatural; instead, it could exclude such elements and still retain its identity as a religion.