Religion vs. Superstition — What's the Difference?

Religion is a social-cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that relates humanity to supernatural, transcendental, and spiritual elements; however, there is no scholarly consensus over what precisely constitutes a religion.Different religions may or may not contain various elements ranging from the divine, sacred things, faith, a supernatural being or supernatural beings or "some sort of ultimacy and transcendence that will provide norms and power for the rest of life". Religious practices may include rituals, sermons, commemoration or veneration (of deities and/or saints), sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trances, initiations, funerary services, matrimonial services, meditation, prayer, music, art, dance, public service, or other aspects of human culture.

A superstition is any belief or practice considered by non-practitioners to be irrational or supernatural, attributed to fate or magic, perceived supernatural influence, or fear of that which is unknown. It is commonly applied to beliefs and practices surrounding luck, amulets, astrology, fortune telling, spirits, and certain paranormal entities, particularly the belief that future events can be foretold by specific (apparently) unrelated prior events.Also, the word superstition is often used to refer to a religion not practiced by the majority of a given society regardless of whether the prevailing religion contains alleged superstitions.

The belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers, regarded as creating and governing the universe

An irrational belief that an object, action, or circumstance not logically related to a course of events influences its outcome.

A particular variety of such belief, especially when organized into a system of doctrine and practice

A belief, practice, or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of nature or by faith in magic or chance.

A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.

A fearful or abject state of mind resulting from such ignorance or irrationality.

The life or condition of a person in a religious order

Idolatry.

A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion

A belief or beliefs, not based on human reason or scientific knowledge, that events may be influenced by one's behaviour in some magical or mystical way.

(uncountable) Belief in a spiritual or metaphysical reality (often including at least one deity), accompanied by practices or rituals pertaining to the belief.

(archaic) Excessive nicety; overscrupulousness.

(countable) A particular system of such belief, and the rituals and practices proper to it.

An excessive reverence for, or fear of, that which is unknown or mysterious.

(uncountable) The way of life committed to by monks and nuns.

An ignorant or irrational worship of the Supreme Deity; excessive exactness or rigor in religious opinions or practice; extreme and unnecessary scruples in the observance of religious rites not commanded, or of points of minor importance; also, a rite or practice proceeding from excess of sculptures in religion.

Rituals and actions associated with religious beliefs, but considered apart from them.

The worship of a false god or gods; false religion; religious veneration for objects.

(countable) Any practice to which someone or some group is seriously devoted.

Belief in the direct agency of superior powers in certain extraordinary or singular events, or in magic, omens, prognostics, or the like.

Faithfulness to a given principle; conscientiousness.

Excessive nicety; scrupulous exactness.

Engage in religious practice.

An irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear

Indoctrinate into a specific religion.

To make sacred or symbolic; sanctify.

The outward act or form by which men indicate their recognition of the existence of a god or of gods having power over their destiny, to whom obedience, service, and honor are due; the feeling or expression of human love, fear, or awe of some superhuman and overruling power, whether by profession of belief, by observance of rites and ceremonies, or by the conduct of life; a system of faith and worship; a manifestation of piety; as, ethical religions; monotheistic religions; natural religion; revealed religion; the religion of the Jews; the religion of idol worshipers.

Specifically, conformity in faith and life to the precepts inculcated in the Bible, respecting the conduct of life and duty toward God and man; the Christian faith and practice.

A monastic or religious order subject to a regulated mode of life; the religious state; as, to enter religion.

Strictness of fidelity in conforming to any practice, as if it were an enjoined rule of conduct.

A strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny;

Institution to express belief in a divine power;