Should the Raelians be accepted or rejected as a true religion Essay

Should the Raelians be accepted or rejected as a true religion - Essay Example Thus it is something that we all humans can be said to have in common. However, there is a great number of varying religions today. Some religions believe in Jesus Christ, others believe in Allah, some believe in other gods and goddesses, and some believe in philosophy. As a social institution, religion is founded by a group of individuals who develop a set of common beliefs and morals as well as practices and reverence for the same things (Breaux, 2008). But what makes a religion a religion? Breaux (2008) identified five sociological characteristics of a religion. These characteristics are very important to the organization and prolongation of the religion. The first characteristic of religion is that it is composed of group of people (Breaux, 2008). In order for a religion to develop and continue, it must be shared by a group of individual that shares common belief, norms, and must be identified as one. The second characteristic of a religion is that there must be certain beliefs t hat make up the structure of the religion and are accepted and embraced by each member of the group (Breaux, 2008). The practices of the group are very important and considered the third important characteristic of a religion (Breaux, 2008). Every religion has patterns of practices that become norms and prescribed rites become rituals (Breaux, 2008).