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Religion is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a supernatural agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

Religion is often described as a communal system for the coherence of belief focusing on a system of thought, unseen being, person, or object, that is considered to be supernatural, sacred, divine, or of the highest truth. Moral codes, practices, values, institutions, tradition, rituals, and scriptures are often traditionally associated with the core belief, and these may have some overlap with concepts in secular philosophy. Religion is also often described as a "way of life" or a life stance.

The term "religion" refers both to the personal practices related to communal faith and to group rituals and communication stemming from shared conviction. "Religion" is sometimes used interchangeably with "faith" or "belief system,"[2] but it is more socially defined than personal convictions, and it entails specific behaviors, respectively.

Romney's '47 Percent' Stumble: Why It May Not Be A Big Deal

Romney's gaffe is unquestionably an egregious one. But it also affirms, however crudely, a central narrative forwarded by Romney and the GOP.

Romney: 47% Of Americans Are Dependent 'Victims' [VIDEO]

Mitt Romney faced a new embarrassment Monday evening when a video surfaced that shows him dismissing nearly half of Americans as "victims" who take no responsibility for their livelihoods and who think they are entitled to government handouts.

Church of Scientology Blasts Vanity Fair's Tom Cruise Expose As 'Shoddy Journalism' And 'Religious Bigotry' [Read Letter]

Jeffrey K. Riffer, a lawyer for the Church of Scientology, wrote an eight-page letter to Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter hoping to stop an expose of the church from ever being published.

In The Face Of Anti-Islam Film 'Innocence Of Muslims,' Iran Renews Death Threats Against Salman Rushdie

In light of the attention being given the controversial film "Innocence of Muslims," Iran's Ayatollah Hassan Sanei has renewed the country's threat against author Salman Rushdie. Sanei claimed that because Rushdie was not killed after the publication of "The Satanic Verses," anti-Muslim creators have been emboldened to attack the religion.

Rick Santorum: 'Smart People' Will Never Be On The Conservative Side

Former U.S. presidential candidate Rick Santorum railed against the alleged media elite, saying the "smart people" will never be on the conservatives' side during a speech at the Values Voter Summit in Washington on Saturday.

'The Master' And His Subject: Who's Afraid Of L. Ron Hubbard?

Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master" is widely believed to be heavily inspired by the Church of Scientology and its founder, L. Ron Hubbard. The studio and the actors have increasingly distanced themselves from the Scientology thread in the weeks leading up to the film's limited theatrical release: Journalists who dare to ask the very question the filmmakers provoke run the risk of being dismissed as sensationalists.

Muslim Protesters Clash With Police In Sydney As Obama Grapples With Middle East Unrest

The violence and widespread protests that have plagued Cairo and sections of the Middle East spread into Sydney, Australia Saturday as police clashed with hundreds of angry demonstrators.

Al Qaeda In Yemen Asks Western Muslims To Get More Involved In Attacks; Says More US Diplomats Should Be Killed Over 'Innocence of Muslims'

The Yemen wing of al Qaeda has asked Muslims to kill more U.S. diplomats in Islamic countries, terming the anti-Islam film made in the U.S. as a another chapter in the "crusader wars" against Islam, stated a Reuters report citing a posting on an al Qaeda website.

At NYC Vigil For Former Libya Ambassador Stevens, A Syrian Flag And A Muslim Cause

A group of Syrian Americans gathered for an emergency vigil on Thursday for U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, who lost his life in a violent attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi on Tuesday.

Hillary Clinton Condemns Anti-Islam Film (FULL TEXT)

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed the subject of the controversial anti-Islam film “Innocence of Muslims,” which has sparked riots and violence across the Middle East, including the murder of the U.S. envoy to Libya.

'Innocence of Muslims': Sound Expert Says Islamophobic Dialogue Definitely Dubbed [Exclusive Transcript]

The actors appearing in the movie that sparked riots throughout the Middle East say they were not aware of its anti-Muslim dialogue. IBTimes spoke with a veteran sound engineer for a professional assessment of which instances of dialogue were over-dubbed in a 13-minute clip of the movie that was posted on YouTube.

Innocence Of Muslims: US Opens Investigation Into Chris Stevens’ Death, Libyans Condemn Killing [PHOTOS]

Following the death of U.S. ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens, the first killing of a U.S. ambassador in more than 30 years, the U.S. administration has opened an investigation into the incident even as the initial evidence points to the involvement of well-armed thugs rather than an out-of-control mob.

'Muslim Innocence' Actors And Crew Say They Were Deceived About Inflammatory Film

According to actress Cindy Lee Garcia, no one in the film's production was aware they were making a piece of anti-Islamic propaganda.

'Innocence of Muslims' And 5 Other Western Depictions Of Mohammed That Inflamed The Islamic World

The depiction of the prophet Mohammed in the Western media has long been a sore point among Muslims, who view the artistic expressions as blasphemous and highly offensive. "Innocence of Muslims," the anti-Mohammed film that gained YouTube notoriety and spurred the Benghazi, Libya, attack that killed Ambassador, is hardly the first Western media reference to the prophet to incite religious backlash.

Justice By The Sword: Saudi Arabia's Embrace Of The Death Penalty

Saudi Arabia regularly executes convicted criminals by beheading. Its use of the death penalty has been criticized due to a lack of transparency and due process in its criminal justice system

How Do Religious Americans Vote? According to These Charts, That Depends On Their Race

Pew reports the largest demographic of Republicans are white evangelical protestants, while the biggest chunk of Democrats are -- surprise! -- religiously unaffiliated.

Judge’s Incendiary Remarks On Women Highlights India’s Domestic Violence Crisis

Activists have filed a formal complaint with the state’s chief justice and also introduced an online campaign to condemn the judge and remove him from the bench.

Why Do Democrats Talk Down To Women Voters?

Apparently, the Democrats don't think the average woman voter is very shrewd.

Fired For Being Christian? Religious Employees Have Their Day In Court

The landmark hearing follows six years of legal battles and tribunals for the four plaintiffs, whose high-profile cases are seen as a polarizing dividing line between British Christians who want to express their faith in the workplace and employers who assert their right to impose dress codes and guidelines for workplace conduct.

Ronald McDonald Goes Vegetarian In India

McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD), the US-based fast-food restaurant chain headquartered in Illinois long known for its beef-based burgers of all shapes and sizes announced plans on Tuesday to open its first ever vegetarian-exclusive restaurants in India.

Egypt: Female State TV Host Wears Headscarf On Air For First Time

A female news presenter appeared on the Egyptian state television wearing a headscarf Sunday for the first time since an unwritten ban on women covering their head during telecast was lifted after the Muslim Brotherhood-led government took charge.

Theresa Duncan And Jeremy Blake, The Suicides That 'Launched A Thousand Blogs'

The 2007 suicides of Duncan and Blake posthumously captured the imaginations of countless people who had never heard of the couple but were haunted by images published in news stories and on the Web. Five years later, questions remain about the media coverage of their deaths,

With Few Policy Ideas, Romney Falls Flat

This was supposed to be Mitt Romney's moment. Instead, his speech sounded like one long repudiation of President Obama, with a few policy points thrown in.

In Acceptance Speech, Romney Keeps Focus On Obama

Mitt Romney accepted the Republican nomination for president on Thursday night with a speech proclaiming XXX

Morsi and Ahmadinelad at Non-Aligned Movement Summit

Not So Aligned: Egypt's Morsi Slams Syria At Non-Aligned Summit In Iran

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi announced his presence at the 16th Non-Aligned Movement Summit by announcing Egypt's support for the Syrian Free Army. This did not sit will with Syria, or with the summit's host country, Iran, one of Assad's closest allies.

'True Blood' Season 5 Episode 12 Spoilers: What Happened In The Season Finale? 'Save Yourself' Recap

Warning: Spoilers ahead! Before the opening credits can even begin, "True Blood's" season five finale, "Save Yourself," shocks viewers by...

‘Creationism Is Not Appropriate For Children,’ According To Bill Nye [VIDEO]

"Denial of evolution is unique to the United States," Bill Nye claims in a video posted on the Big Think channel at YouTube on Friday. The scientist and former TV personality had harsh words for the creationist theory, saying it could have a negative effect if it is taught to children.

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