What is Religion?

Religion needs to be studied with the tools of its own discipline. Scientific objective approach can be applied to subject like Economics, Political Science and Sociology and can be accepted as valid. All these subjects relate to the phenomenon of the empirical world. Religion is an area which the objective scientific approach cannot encompass. Material science cannot be paramount authority in the study of religion. Realm of matter and the realm of spirit are two parts of the absolute or the Great Whole. Renowned theologian, Paul Tillich, rightly speaks of the fallacy of giving absolute values to matters which are not absolute. The essence of religion is not what the materialists think it to be. It's aim is to come in direct contact with and to realise the Reality, higher than the material world. Intuitive experience is the only way through which Reality can be known.

Sources: Critique of Western Writing on Sikh Religion and History by Prof Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon