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Religion (from O.Fr. religion religious community, from L. religionem (nom. religio) respect for what is sacred, reverence for the gods, obligation, the bond between man and the gods) is derived from the Latin religiÅ, the ultimate origins of which are obscure.
Many say the etymology of religion lies with the Latin word religare. Many say the etymology of religion lies with the Latin word religare, which means âto tie, to bind.â This seems to be favored on the assumption that it helps explain the power religion has. The Oxford English Dictionary points out, though, that the etymology of the word is doubtful.