Classifications of definitions of religion

1. Functional definitions: These definitions focus on the role that religion plays in society, such as providing a sense of meaning and purpose, promoting social cohesion, or offering comfort and solace in times of distress.

2. Substantive definitions: These definitions focus on the beliefs, practices, and rituals that are characteristic of religious traditions, such as belief in a higher power, worship, prayer, and moral codes.

3. Psychological definitions: These definitions focus on the individual experience of religion, such as the feelings of awe, transcendence, and connection to something greater than oneself that are often associated with religious experiences.

4. Sociological definitions: These definitions focus on the social aspects of religion, such as the ways in which religious beliefs and practices shape social institutions, norms, and relationships.

5. Phenomenological definitions: These definitions focus on the subjective experience of religion, emphasizing the ways in which individuals interpret and make sense of their religious beliefs and experiences.

6. Evolutionary definitions: These definitions focus on the origins and development of religion as a human phenomenon, often drawing on evolutionary psychology and anthropology to explain the adaptive functions of religious beliefs and practices.