Problem
In Religion As We Know It: An Origin Story Jack Miles writes, "What is religion? The word exists in the English language, and people have some commonsense notion of what it refers to. Most understand it as one kind of human activity standing alongside other kinds, such as business, politics, warfare, art, law, sport, or science. Religion is available in a variety of forms, but what is it, really? What makes it itself?" Miles goes on to suggest that "religion is as religion does". In other words, religion is, according to Miles and others, a set of practices.
a) Do you agree or disagree with Miles? Is religion a set of practices? Or, is it a set of beliefs?
b) Why is it so difficult to define religion? How might the Eight Characteristics of Religion help you navigate?