Why is it so difficult to define what counts as a religion today?

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 29 September 2026 · Updated 24 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Religion is a slippery concept that shapes our lives, yet pinning down a universal definition remains a complex challenge. A new 24-episode series explores how we debate, contest, and understand these traditions, offering a scholarly framework to analyze the history, culture, and influence of religions in our modern world.

The study of religion is inherently challenging because the term itself is notoriously difficult to define. Crash Course Religions, which premieres on September 10, 2024, aims to navigate this ambiguity by exploring how religions function as frameworks for making sense of human existence. The curriculum, developed with an advisory board of religious scholars, approaches the subject through a university-level lens, encouraging viewers to move beyond simple categorizations and instead analyze the historical and cultural contexts that define religious identity.

The series investigates a wide range of questions that challenge conventional wisdom. For instance, it examines the blurred lines between religious and secular practices, asking whether activities like yoga or belief systems like atheism should be classified as religions. It also delves into the role of sacred texts, which vary significantly in importance across different traditions, and explores the complex power dynamics involved in determining who speaks for a religion. By looking at both major and minoritized traditions, the course highlights the internal and external frictions that shape how these belief systems evolve.

Beyond internal theology, the course addresses how religion interacts with the broader world, including its reciprocal relationship with pop culture and the contested meanings of concepts like religious freedom. It also examines diverse perspectives, such as the spiritual significance of natural features like rivers, which some traditions may view as ancestors or persons. By providing tools to unpack these inter-religious and intra-religious connections, the series seeks to equip viewers with an informed historical perspective on contemporary debates, regardless of their own personal religious background or lack thereof.

Ultimately, the goal is to provide a structured way to engage with the history and culture of religious traditions. By analyzing these complex systems, participants can better understand the worldviews that influence global societies. The series emphasizes that whether one is personally religious or not, understanding the mechanics of these traditions is essential for navigating the cultural and historical issues that define our modern era.

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