WHAT IS RELIGION?  WHAT INFLUENCES HAS RELIGION HAD ON SOCIETY?      Religion is our ancient heritage of ideas concerning the origin of all thingsand the meaning of life.  It is often called creed or devotion.  There are so many words that could relate to religion.  It could mean high power, denomination or in some cases called a myth.  Religion is the service or worship of a god or Supreme Being of the supernatural.  Some may even worship animals.  It is a commitment or devotion to religious faith or observation.       People practice religion in many different ways.  They can pray, sing, sacrifice, fast, dance, read religious books and even have interactions with snakes and other types of poisonous or non-poisonous animals.  Most religions have certain guidelines or rules they follow in how they live their lives.  There are many types of religious groups including Christianity, Buddhist, Muslim, and Jewish.            Religion has affected society in many different ways.  It affects what we do, say, think, and the places we go.  We build buildings of worship to stand as a witness to others.  The Parthenon in Athens, the great cathedrals of Europe and the Pyramids of South America were all built to show devotion to a higher being in the name of religion.          Religion has even affected people’s appearance.  In some religions women cannot show their hair, body, or mouths.  Women in Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq cover themselves in devotion to religion.  In the United States, some religions require women to wear only dresses with no jewelry or make-up.  In some African cultures men and women mutilate their bodies in the name of religion.  Religion has influenced our holidays and celebrations.  Some religions don’t believe in celebrating special events/occasions or holidays.  The holiday calendar is centered on the Christian religion holidays of Easter and Christmas.  The Jewish communities celebrate 8 days of Hanukkah and the African American community has adopted an ancient religion ritual celebrating nature into Kwanzaa.        Religion has had a big influence on a lot of the wars in history.  During the Crusades, the leaders of the church (who controlled the greatest amount of power in Medieval hierarchy, though it was untitled) and the leaders of Christian kingdoms set out to spread their religion through force.  This force was to wage war upon unchristian settlements and kingdoms and after conquest force their religion upon the captured.  The Crusades were the promotion of conversion by force.  Religion not only affected wars in the past but in the present too.  Israel and Palestine are fighting over the Holy Land.  Palestine has control over it but Israel is fighting for it. People unconsciously use religion in everyday life.  It can determine every step they take throughout life.  This proves religion is a very important aspect