Why do anthropologists avoid assuming that every culture separates religion from everyday customs?

Anthropologists avoid assuming that every culture separates religion from everyday customs because the concept of "religion" as a distinct, bounded system is not universal. This notion largely originated from specific historical developments in Europe and North America, such as the separation of church and state, and does not accurately reflect how many societies organize their lives.1

In many cultures, practices that Western observers might label as "religious"—such as burial rites or ceremonial activities—are often viewed simply as customs or integral parts of daily life, rather than as a separate category of experience. Anthropologists have found that religious beliefs and practices are deeply intertwined with economic activities, social structures, and political hierarchies. Because these elements are often inseparable, attempting to isolate "religion" can lead to a misunderstanding of how a society functions.12

Consequently, anthropologists adopt a holistic approach, studying how beliefs and customs shape the feelings, lives, and relationships of a society’s members without forcing them into rigid, Western-centric categories. This perspective emphasizes that religion is best understood by observing what it actually does within a specific social and cultural context.1