How do we define religion? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of religion is as follows: “belief in a god or group of gods, an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or group of gods, or a interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group" (Merriam-Webster). My personal definition of religion is that it is a set of beliefs and practices that generally concern the worship of one or more beings spiritual or representations of a spiritual power. Religion can be a personal belief or an organization or group of people who have similar beliefs and values. There are many different types of religions in the world and have been since the history of mankind is its role in civilization and the development of civilization? Does religion help establish humanity's place in the order of the universe. When civilization began to develop through the domestication of animals, irrigation and the cultivation of crops agricultural, and life became more complex (moving from a predominantly hunter/gatherer existence to one in which they could settle down and have more time to consider advanced ideas), people began to consider questions such as: where does life come from, whether there is a creator or creators who helped create the world and what happens after death. Religion has helped answer some of these questions. It gave people purpose, meaning and perspective. Religion helped found nations in the case of religious theocratic governments. In many of the ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians, the Mayans, and even Mesopotamia, priests and other religious leaders played a prominent role in helping to shape the laws and government of these civilizations. When its... middle of paper... was eradicated after their religious members were conquered and their civilizations destroyed, they were absorbed into the major religions of the conquered civilizations. This was certainly the case with the Aztecs, the Incas, and (although Mayan groups still exist today, their numbers are very small) other ancient civilizations in the Americas. The Spaniards sent their missionaries to all parts of the conquered lands. It is much more difficult for ideas and religion to survive under constant persecution and fear, although it is not impossible. Judaism and Christianity are two religions that have both endured extreme persecution at different times in history. Works Cited Duiker, William J. and Jackson J. Spielvogel. World history. 6th. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Pub Co, 2010. print.Merriam-Webster, 2012. 0. .