Religion describes systems of beliefs, values and practices that define what people hold sacred or consider spiritually significant. These systems are a vital part of culture and provide a framework for understanding the world around us. They also help form moral criteria and support personal and family stability, which is why many studies have shown that religious participation has a positive impact on health. However, you don’t have to be religious to reap these benefits. Simply taking steps to engage in healthy behaviors, build supportive relationships and develop coping skills can provide the same health and psychological benefits.

A central function of all religions is to protect and transmit the means through which life’s most important goals, designated within those systems themselves (a wiser, more fruitful, more charitable or more successful way of living) and ultimate (in this world, in rebirth, or in the next world) can be attained. Of course, this is a hugely complicated task and it’s easy for religious systems to lose sight of their role as protectors and transmitters of these goals, instead using them to establish ideological world-views and advance conservative political agendas.

Thus, while religion contains some of humanity’s most sublime moral and spiritual teachings, it also contains grim remnants of intolerance, cruelty, bigotry and social oppression that can foster hatred and horror. It is for this reason that the concept of religion evokes such a wide range of responses, from love and compassion to hatred and loathing.