When looking for the meaning of the term religion, one must do extensive research to form a definition that can fit such a broad word. There is no single definition that can satisfy all religions and remain true to all religions throughout its response. There are many different views and definitions of the word and it is very difficult to find a reasonable definition that encapsulates such a massive expression. Religion, when used as a single word, is almost impossible to define. Different people, especially in different religions, will all have a different opinion when trying to use very few words to define religion. I think the definitions in the book are all correct to some extent and may be missing a few important factors or have stretched the meaning too far to only apply to certain religions and/or beliefs. In the functional definitions defined in the book and by Clifford Geertz, I found few errors and would like to expand on my opinion on their definitions. The book defines religion, if I remember correctly, because any person's belief in an essential value was that that person finds essential wholeness as an individual and as a person in the community. » Well, I broke the definition down into similar terms to appreciate its meaning. which means that I interpreted this definition as a person's dependence on an essential value where that person deems it necessary for their personal wholeness. In other words, one's religion is what it takes to make that individual feel complete, I don't think this is true for all religions. Now when I broke it down for my personal clarity, I found an error in this definition. Not all people who practice a religion would agree that they depend on their religion to complete them as a whole. Yes, that would be true for most religions, but not. of all religions. This is why I find it wrong that it is used to define a word that has many more choice word options than referring to it as being necessary for wholeness, when some people see their religious practices as daily stress reducers. and not as much as individuals. I believe that the feeling of completion in your life is a personal vision and who that person shares an identity with. This would include close family and religious family.