ABSTRACT
Why study religion in the twenty-first century? We may find many different attitudes toward religious faith among our peers. However, most scholars agree it is important to investigate religion for several reasons. It is crucial to understanding world history and culture, and continues to be in the news as it influences major world events. Religion is also pivotal to comprehending the values and psychology of numerous people, including probably many in our families and among our friends. Finally, the philosophical issues raised by serious thought about religion can intrigue active minds. In this chapter we examine definitions of religion, the way significant thinkers past and present have looked at it, and how this book helps us examine faith expressed in many different ways, from cave paintings to the Internet.
