Chapter I: Definition of Religious Phenomena and of Religion

Usefulness of a preliminary definition of religion; method to be
followed in seeking this definition--Why the usual definitions
should be examined first 23

I.--Religion defined by the supernatural and mysterious--
Criticism: the notion of mystery is not primitive 24

II.--Religion defined in connection with the idea of God or a
spiritual being.--Religions without gods--Rites in deistic
religions which imply no idea of divinity 29

III.--Search for a positive definition--Distinction between
beliefs and rites--Definition of beliefs--First characteristic:
division of things between sacred and profane--Distinctive
characteristics of this definition--Definition of rites in
relation to beliefs--Definition of religion 36

IV.--Necessity of another characteristic to distinguish magic
from religion--The idea of the Church--Do individualistic
religions exclude the idea of a Church? 42