The word is from "religo," and signifies _to bind over_. Webster says,
"This word seems originally to have signified an oath or vow to the
gods, or an obligation of such oath or vow." Religion, in its
comprehensive sense, includes a belief in the being and perfections of
God, in the revelation of his will to man, in man's obligation to obey
his commands--any religion consisting in a belief of a supreme power or
powers, governing the world, and in the worshiping of such power or
powers. That men have the power to become religious is too evident to
require a word in argument; even Tyndal admitted that there was a place
in man's psychological nature for religion. Now, since man possesses
this, and as all his other powers and faculties were made for use, it is
but reasonable that this faculty should also have its proper sphere of
action.