Organized religion, also known asinstitutional religion, isreligion in whichbelief systems andrituals are systematically arranged andformally established, typically by an officialdoctrine (ordogma), ahierarchical orbureaucraticleadership structure, and acodification of proper and improperbehavior.
Organized religion is distinguished from the broader idea ofreligion especially inanthropology,sociology andphilosophy. American philosopherWilliam James considered organized religion to be distinct from and secondary to religion in and of itself, stating that "out of religion in the sense in which we take it, theologies, philosophies, and ecclesiastical organizations may secondarily grow".[1] James further comments that the essential elements of "institutional religion" are "worship andsacrifice, procedures for working on the dispositions of the deity [i.e.]theology, andceremony andecclesiastical organization".
Organized religion is widely assumed by anthropologists to have gained prevalence since theNeolithic era with the rise of wide-scalecivilization andagriculture, presumably as a way to alleviate new tensions that emerged as certain societies became settled and then expanded in size.[2] Organized religions may include astate's official religion, orstate church. However, most political states have any number of organized religions practiced within their jurisdiction. Due to their structured, standardized, and easily proliferated form, organized religions comprise many of the world'smajor religious groups.[citation needed]
Still,anthropologists,theologians, scholars, and ordinary usage often conflate religion with organized religion specifically. Examples of this are found in the definition provided by anthropologistClifford Geertz, who defines religion as a "cultural system."[3] Furthermore, sociologistMax Weber's prominent definition of a religion includes the idea of a 'Church', not necessarily in theChristian formulation, but insisting on the notion of an organized hierarchy constituting a palpable religious body.[4]
TheAbrahamic religions are all largely considered organized (includingChristianity,Islam,Judaism, and theBaháʼí Faith).
Religions that are not organized religions, or only loosely so, include severalEastern religions such asConfucianism,[5]Shinto,[6] and some types ofBuddhism includingSecular Buddhism.[7] Also generally excluded areindigenous andfolk religions, such asanimism,[8]Korean shamanism,[9]African traditions like theSan religion,[10]Native American religions,[11] andOld Norse religion,[12] as well as certainnew religious movements likemodern paganism[13] andRastafari.[14]
Hinduism is not an organized religion in certain senses,[15][16] particularly in its lack of a central power structure.[17] However, this definition is disputable, since decentralization is not usually the only factor considered in defining organized religions. Hinduism is also complicated by the fact that many scholars consider it an umbrella collection of diverse spiritual traditions rather than a single unified religion.[18]
Hinduism has neither a single founder nor a single sacred book. There is no single historical event that marks its birth. The history of Hinduism embodies both continuity and change. Having never had a sole central authority, Hinduism's fluid character has always allowed it to adapt to a variety of social and cultural contexts. This diversity has led many scholars to argue that Hinduism is not one religion at all but a constellation of many religious sects that share some common aspects.
