Religion is a man's best way to find alternatives by which he can rule his time in this earth. Finding paths by which he can reach enlightment. Even so, religion has been around since the dawn of mankind letting each civilization write it's own book of experiences as to why they have been chosen to live and rule. But in the beginning religion was also a way for man to explain to himself and therefore rationalize the hows and whys of nature's events and by doing so opening a plethora of ways by which man could relate itself to "religion" or gods.
Egyptians, Romans, Greeks and Chinese come to mind as to age old practitioners of religion and they all had the same notions as to why divinities and their ruling ways were created. More so humanity in itself relishes the fact that religion is there and that it's there for them. Certainly in this day and age people whatever their religion might be, have a less than personal relationship with their god. But religion is still as fashionable as ever, it is hard to envision a time when Christians were sought and prosecuted because of their religious beliefs but that is too religion it is sometimes something by which men and women are hunted, found, tried and murdered. Wars were and are still fought over religion and so it is that religion is not just a hobby oh no, it is a way of life.
Nowadays even the internet has followers so where does it all begin and end you might say. If you looked the meaning for religion up in a dictionary you"ll get.
(r -l j n).
1. .
a. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe. .
b. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship. .
2. The life or condition of a person in a religious order. .
3. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader. .
4. A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.