A religion can be called such because of several similar factors from having a group of people, which is more than two people. At this level, many institutions could be considered a religion, but it needs a purpose and guidance to why it exists, otherwise it is a mere social circle. After a group has more than two members, to become more of a religion it must have a few more factors. It has to have effective communication. This does not mean that they speak daily or even weekly, but enough to share the goals and spread the group (if of the two larger group sizes). This communication is not even necessarily face-to-face, but can operate on a number of levels, such as symbolism. Also the group seems to have these shared norms which will be addressed shortly. And lastly, for the group to be more proper in this religious environment, every member must fulfill a role and take part in the essential practices.

     One could say that a structure of power is typical for a religious group. This is almost necessary because of itself, these groups need purpose, and to get a purpose, someone must be instructing this purpose. Whether it be a deity or human leader, someone must be guiding the members, because if it is guided by its members, it is based on opinion rather than fact, and that doesn't seem like the archetype of what you would normally consider a religious affiliation. There can be several types of these groups that are guided by the powers that be.   As defined by J. Paul Williams, the four typologies of religious institutions include the secret, the private, the denominational, and the societal (Williams, 1962). This is important because some institutions decide that they would rather not keep everyone informed of their doings. Such an example of this would be a fraternal order such as the stone Masons. If it is decided to keep the group close-knit, it is usually because they have something they hold sacred that only certain types of people can fulfill. Furthermore, they will all be expected to have the same ideologies so that the common goal of the group can be met. On the higher levels, the doctrine is spread to as many people that will accept it, and is generally associated with a power struggle for which group is the most correct.  This leads us to doctrine.

            Most organizations have some form of formal doctrine guiding them to a purpose, goal, or scenario that they must enact several steps to gain. A belief system is something set up by the original founding group, or some higher power. This system will tell the organization what it is to believe and why. Usually, but not always, this doctrine or sacred texts are related to a supernatural phenomena or being, other times it can be a interrelated symbolism that carries the place of centerpiece. Also, the group will usually have some system of justice and cooperation so that once the member is included, it is much more difficult to be exiled, for fear of whatever has been defined. By being guided by something higher than themselves, each member feels it necessary to live up to a standard that will eventually, or instantaneously in some ways, reward them for good behavior and commitment. This diligence is what keeps these groups together and perpetuates them, in my opinion, to be so overwhelmingly hungry of more members and social power. In order for the group to have solidarity, the common ideals and beliefs must be constant, and if a member starts questioning these beliefs, there are usually two options, leaving the group, or the group reinforcing these principals. If the latter fails, the former will almost always take place unless the punishment is truly worthy of the individuals fear. Once the rules of the organization are assembled, the next thing that creates a sense of religion are its practices such as ceremonies and events, holidays, and other forms of reinforcing exclusivity and solidarity.

            The rites and practices that are included in these institutions vary greatly depending on what they celebrate, worship, or focus on. They can be an event utilizing physical means to represent something spiritual or supernatural, or they can represent brotherhood and the human links within us all. Depending on the level of solidarity in the group, these rituals can be in private or public and also can include meals, speeches, dances, or anything that conveys the attitudes of the group and its members. Furthermore, the act must be acknowledged as such a ritualistic, meaningful event. In these events, special utensils and garb can be used, and sacred acts committed. The definition of sacred in this context is incredibly dynamic as it is up to the group, its members, and/or the leadership or deity to decide whether or not it is a ritual of spiritual importance. Usually these are interrelated with the morality of the group, however it is defined to be.

     The morality of the group is dependent on the background of the members as well as what they have decided needs to be a foundation and norm of its members to be included into practice, doctrine, and communication. These moral ideals come from whatever is at the top of the power structure, or had most formerly been. This prescription can come from the deity itself if necessary within the organizations doctrine and is usually felt by the members anyway, but reinforced through the group. Not all morality though comes from religious groups, but while it may have stemmed from them, in this day and age, morality can be inherent to even atheists who are not any part of a civil organization. Morality stretches beyond any formal set practices and groups, but rather is natural. Through these organizations, morality is fostered and there can even be practices that include pro-moral behavior. Beyond these few details, religions these days seem quite ambiguous. So what generally makes a civil religion different?

            While generally civil religion is overlooked and misclassified by most, it continues to resemble the above said factors that are inclusive to the term religion. However, civil religion follows a slightly different path and can have many different purposes and images. Politics and civil religious groups are very closely related as the supernatural connection of the civil organization has a moral link to guiding their country. In America, civil religion need not be of Christian origins, but rather it is of a whole perspective recognizing a strong supernatural being. Furthermore, American civil religion usually has three characteristics. These characteristics can be summarized in that the nation is but the main focus of the supernatural beings' meaningful activity. This gives the religious group a feeling of service and obligates them to help from their own country outward. Furthermore, manifest destiny is could be linked to this way of American civil religion ideals. Secondly, civil religion in America is supposed to bring the people together with the idea of the melting pot at the core, pushing a group identity and allowing members to feel strongly about themselves as well. Finally, this organization will usually take a stance of righteousness (Coleman, 1970). This again ties back to manifest destiny, where these group members feel obligated to spread their message or will, through overt communication with non-members and/or secret communications among members.  Unfortunately with these groups, there tends to be a clash with some parts of the culture around them. Because they are pushing for a political agenda to spread their will, it can often be construed as being power hungry, or as charitable depending on the light at which they generally show themselves. Some of these civil religions such as the Masons have incredible wings of charitable members that take on health care, such as the Shriners. Many conspiracy theorists suggest that such groups as Skull and Bones, so famous to Yale, have been influencing politics and American national decision making through their secretive networks of members. However, not all of these groups are secretive but they often have inclusive details only available to members. Unfortunately, there is no way for the law to stop civil religious groups, because they generally occupy society in all positions, including Presidential level. Furthermore, with so many different groups, they seem to be working on the same type of political change, again pointing back at manifest destiny. Elsewhere in the world, these civil religions can hold much stronger positions, or none at all depending on the type of government. Although it varies internationally, many have international wings devoted to spreading their message and the will of their supernatural power. In my opinion, some of these groups such as the secretive Skull and Bones, the Stone Masons, and the Illuminati (or idea there of) are in fact quite powerful and do affect political change. Unfortunately this fact is quite often overlooked, which makes democracy in America quite difficult to truly realize, if a single grouping of people are trying to puppeteer their will through their members and in the name of a power higher than themselves. But what of common religious institutions? Are they as influential? What separates the different creeds from each other? Let us take a look at world religions of non-civil orientations.

     There are many kinds of religions, some called cults and others denominational. The size and background determine how the public eye views these groups, as well as how much affect they are allowed to have on politics and citizens minds. They have similar powers to civil religions in that they are hailing their will from a supernatural source and thus, must help others find this source. The religions I hope to tell you about range from the common Christian to the not-so-common Jainism. Many are familiar in the West with Christianity because it has always played a role in moving West. So what makes Christianity so special?

            Christianity uses an ancient text known as the Bible, which includes the Pentateuch and Torah that the Jewish use. This ancient text is the primary premise for the modern world and generally preached in every country, even in the jungles of Africa or to Aborigines. The promised reward for following the will of their supernatural being, God, is heaven. They also have a place reserved for those not seeking the will of their God, referred to as Hell. Heaven seems to transcend Christianity and work as an almost universal ideal for common religions. This is the goal. Beyond this, it is doctrine. So what makes other large religions of the world different?

            Buddhism is quite different in its approach, but there are many sects, and they each have their way of fulfilling their “religious” specifications. They are one of the top three main religions of the world, and are based on the ideal of Enlightenment or perfect awareness. This is the goal and is commonly referred to as Nirvana. They seek the destination that their main prophet supposedly found. Buddha was a prince that sought Enlightenment after seeing the suffering of man. This fulfills the need for a moral prescription and guides the followers to seek change in themselves as the primary way of ending this universal transcendental suffering. This moral prescription is defined in the four noble truths and the eight-fold path.  There are also many sacred texts and prayers, or mantras which are used in their path. In my mind, the Buddhist passive ways are the least abrasive religious indoctrination of them all, but there are more Eastern ideologies that seek similar result.

            Take Hinduism for example. The Hindu religion believes in several deities and generally rural towns seek worship on one main deity with recognition of the rest. The power structure is interesting in Hinduism because it has lead to a caste system in India, partially because of the hierarchy of deities. The prescribed morality comes from hundreds of sacred texts, or Vedas. Some of these Vedas are only allowed to be read by certain class levels or origins. The ultimate reward for Hindus in similar to Heaven or Nirvana, which is mostly why these members coalesce under the same supernatural will. The next important Eastern religion may be lesser known, but the symbols used are quite common even in Western world.

            Taoist philosophy is universally familiar. They seek to reunite with the rest of the energies of the universe. This is again, similar to every previously discussed religion. They focus mostly around three moral principals of moderation, humility, and love. Taoists also follow a very relaxed perspective, thinking primarily on a level of simplicity and non-action, or wu-wei. Proper moral prescription in Taoism is referred to as “De” and is a holistic perspective on morality, meaning right actions and right thought. Another strong point of this group is that they are very dynamic in their thoughts, that is to say that they are very open-minded. Another popular Eastern religion is next to be discussed.

            Confucianism was originally started by a man named Confucius. Yet another primarily philosophical look at the supernatural and natural, this religion uses rituals quite often as a way of internalizing the complex combinations of philosophy. It is very old style in its reverence for family and a hierarchy of respect. The ideals present are interesting because they are almost centralized around being human and having loyalty to the human ancestral line. This philosophy is much more complex than most because it has such strong root in humanism.

            Shinto religion is next to discuss. The supernatural is quite prevalent in this Japanese religion. The recognition of various spirits is part of their thought. These kami are divine beings, but are special because they also make humanistic mistakes. Furthermore, at death it is part of their “afterlife” to become a kami. They use shrines quite often in the form of a squared  archway painted red. Their thought is primary based around the love for nature and integrating their lives with the natural. They also have a great reverence for the family and tradition, similar to that of the Confucian thought, but they also hold dear festivals dedicated to the kami, or previous ancestors. Quite noticeable are the effects of Shinto thought in Japan, as cleanliness is also a factor of this religion.

            Jainism is very much a lesser known religion, however it has heavily influenced the development of India. The ultimate goal in this religion is Moksha and can be attained by anyone, as they believe that all souls are equal. The supernatural resides in each member of this religion because they believe it to be the human traits and the spiritual nature of life. These traits are things such as happiness and awareness, as well as knowledge and human perception. They also have a few sacred texts, or sutras, namely the Tattvartha Sutra. There are nine Tattavas similar to the Buddhist wheel.  Compassion for everything human and non-human is also a central trait of this group, because they believe the 'holy' is within everything, and due to this ideal, many are vegan and will not eat anything that may have suffered. 

            Lastly, Sikhism is another lesser known religion in the Western world. Again, this originated in India around the fifteenth century. The way to achieve salvation as they seek in this religion is through intense meditation on the name and thoughts of God. They seek this through the help of their sacred text which came from the original ten teachers, or gurus. This text is called the Guru Granth Sahib and was decree of the final living guru of the ten. Their God is very similar to an all powerful Christian deity, however it is formless. With all of the combination of influence, you can see the similarity of the above described religions.

            Without the intermingling of these groups, many could not have existed without it. The influence and will of different groups, no matter the size, or orientation may be felt throughout history and can be said to have helped basic morality. Maybe religion is the only inherent induction of morals in humanity, and these are general depending on region and who the parenting is done by.  One thing is for sure, none of these can be said to be more correct than another, based on the sheer fact that there are so many with conflicting ideals and foundations.