Question: what are the common characteristics of religion?
Answer: Beliefs and Believers. 1.1. Brings people together in communities. 1.2. ... 
Sacred Texts and Writings. 2.1. Contain key doctrines and expresses them through sacred writings. 2.2. ... 
Ethics. 3.1. Embodies the doctrines in the form of laws and precepts. 3.2. ... 
Rituals and Ceremonies. 4.1. Give doctrinal elements a lived expression. 4.2.