Religion is an incredibly complex concept that can mean different things to people. It is often defined in terms of specific practices, or as a way of organizing human culture. However, some think that defining religion in this way is misleading and problematic. Some think that it is important to look at the underlying meanings of religion rather than simply its specific practices or beliefs.
Essentially, religions protect and transmit the means to attain the most important goals which humans can imagine for their lives. Some of these goals are proximate, involving a wiser, more fruitful, more charitable, or more successful life; others are ultimate, involving the eventual conditions of the world and of humanity (see eschatology). The protection and transmission of this information requires organized systems, which is what religions are. It also requires boundaries, which are what religions create. In addition, it often requires a sense of identity, which is what religions foster. These identities may be literal, based on geography or ethnicity, or metaphorical, extending far beyond the kinship group and tribe into the community of all believers in that particular faith. Religions also often provide a system for rewarding or punishing members, which is what brings order to human society, and, in many cases, imposes hierarchies.
In the end, it is this structure and this power that make religions so central to human societies. They provide the means to aspire for a good life, and to recognize the very serious limits on that aspirement which human beings cannot escape (see mortality). Religions have been an enormous source of comfort, guidance, and support, in times both good and bad. In the bad times, they have also been a major source of social terror and oppression.
If you have questions about Religion, or if you would like to learn more about the history of a particular religion, it is a good idea to talk with someone who practiced that religion in the past or is practicing it now. If you would like to do a deeper dive into the study of religion, consider taking a course on the subject from an academic institution. They will likely be able to answer your questions and provide you with additional resources. If you have a specific religion in mind, set up an appointment to meet with a religious leader to discuss your questions. They will be able to answer any questions that you have about the foundation, history and practices of their religion. They will also be able to direct you towards additional readings or research that you can conduct on your own.