religion
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religion
A specific belief system that relates to the worship of one or more deities or to a transcendent reality, and often includes moral rules and rituals.
Das Christentum ist eine der größten Religionen der Welt.
Christianity is one of the largest religions in the world.
The related adjective is 'religiös' (religious). It describes people, actions, or objects that are connected with a religion.
Sie ist ein sehr religiöser Mensch.
She is a very religious person.
Common verbs used in connection with 'Religion' (religion) are 'eine Religion ausüben' (to practice a religion) or 'einer Religion angehören' (to belong to a religion). The latter requires the dative.
In diesem Land kann jeder seine Religion frei ausüben.
In this country, everyone can practice their religion freely.
The personal, non-organized meaning can often be recognized by possessive pronouns such as 'meine' (my) or 'seine' (his). The general meaning of a belief system is often used in the plural or with names such as 'das Christentum' (Christianity).
Er sagt, die Natur sei seine Religion.
He says nature is his religion.
church
'die Kirche' and 'die Religion' both belong to the area of faith, but they do not mean the same thing. 'die Kirche' is a concrete building or an organized Christian community. 'die Religion' is faith itself or a belief system, for example with rules, rituals, and ideas about a higher power. The words can be confused because many people experience religion through a church. But a religion can also be practiced without a church, and a church is only a particular form or organization of faith.
Heute sprach der Lehrer über Religion und persönliche Werte.
Today the teacher talked about religion and personal values.
Mein Freund hat erzählt, dass er früher oft in die Kirche gegangen ist.
My friend said that he used to go to church often.