Why do you think the etymology of the word religion is the Latin 'religares' which means to regulate and bind tightly?

Answer 1

This is because the essence of true religion is relationship: It is binding ourselves tightly in a covenantal relationship with God, regulating it in order to be in right relationship with the source of order, Being Himself. It is a union of wills: ours being united to that of God. Religio stricte est virtus moralis qua redditur Deo cultus debitus. [Strictly speaking, religion is the moral virtue by which is rendered to God the worship due to Him.]

Of course, in ancient times, before the fullness of Revelation in Christ, this process was less informed (such as in pagan peoples such as the ancient Romans seeking to be in a right and useful relationship with "the gods" or so many prehistoric peoples offering sacrifices to God or "the gods" in reparation for their wrongs and seeking to be in right relationship and to receive the goods that God bestows); it is also often less conscious. Still, when crossing from philosophies to religion, this is what it becomes. I hope this helps!