Religion is the set of beliefs and practices that a person follows. It reflects how people deal with their ultimate concerns, such as life after death and how they feel about the natural world. In most religions, the teachings are based on the supernatural. They are characterized by an emphasis on prayer and meditation, as well as sacred texts, symbols, and holy places. People often believe that these religious teachings are divinely inspired, and they revere them.
The essential feature of religion, especially in lower grades of culture, is man’s recognition that he is dependent on the Deity or gods and that he has a deeply felt need of Divine help. Coupled with this sense of dependence is the conviction that, in friendly communion with the Deity or gods, he can find help, peace, and happiness. These convictions are based on a belief that the universe and everything in it is controlled by mysterious, supernatural forces that must be acknowledged by acts of homage.
The National Council for the Social Studies has long led the call to include the study of religion in a diverse society and our classrooms, and this position statement reiterates our commitment to ensuring that the teaching of religion provides students with an understanding of the many diverse religious beliefs, values, and traditions that exist in America and around the globe.