Religion has many different meanings depending on what culture one comes from.

The anthropology of religion perhaps began with Al Biruni (973 1048), an Islamic scholar from Persia, who wrote detailed scientific studies of religions and cultures across the Middle East, Mediterranean and the Indian sub Continent. He is accorded as the founder of anthropology.

Anthropologists have looked at religion down the ages and examined the symbols that have been worshiped, the deities being glorified, the temples, shrines, churches and even the nature of the gods being promoted. There has been a thousand year history in this study. Anthropologists have further looked at the moral codes, the ethical codes, the organizational hierarchies of different religions to find a universal definition.

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Spirituality and Religion

What are the differences between spirituality and religion? These two concepts are often misunderstood and one confused with the other. Both do however, seemingly have the same message, which is one of love and offer a path to God. The Religion of Love – What is the Root of All the Evil in the World?