LEt's not get crack-potted about the definition, which comes from the Latin religiare or possibly religiens:

"relegare "go through again, read again," from re- "again" + legere "read" (see lecture). However, popular etymology among the later ancients (and many modern writers) connects it with religare "to bind fast" (see rely), via notion of "place an obligation on," or "bond between humans and gods." Another possible origin is religiens "careful," opposite of negligens. Meaning "particular system of faith" is recorded from c.1300."

"•A 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."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion

In modern usage, there are two distinct definitions, one more general (a set of beliefs) and one theistic. To deny the validity of one or the other definitions is just sophomoric and disingenuous.


A