Definition: Belief in a spiritual or metaphysical reality (often including at least one deity), accompanied by practices or rituals pertaining to the belief.

Alright class, settle down and let’s take a look! Today we're tackling a big word – “religions.” The dictionary gives us a pretty good start, doesn't it? Let’s unpack that definition piece by piece. "Belief in a spiritual or metaphysical reality…" That means believing there's something beyond what we can see and touch with our senses. It’s about trusting in a bigger picture, a deeper truth – maybe it’s a God, the universe, or something else entirely! Think of it like this: you believe your friend is kind, even if you haven’t seen them do anything unkind - that's belief beyond what's immediately obvious. “…often including at least one deity…” Now we're talking about specific gods or higher powers. Many religions involve believing in and worshipping a particular divine figure or figures. And finally, “…accompanied by practices or rituals pertaining to the belief.” This is really important! Religions aren’t just thoughts ; they’re also actions . It's about how people express their faith – through prayer, ceremonies, traditions, stories, and even special days of celebration. It’s like a song - you need both the lyrics (the beliefs) and the music (the rituals) to truly feel it! So, in short, ‘religions’ are systems built around shared beliefs about something bigger than ourselves, and those beliefs often involve ways we show that faith through our actions. Does that make sense? Do you have any questions or want me to explain a part differently? Don't be shy - let’s discuss!