Definition of Religion According to Clifford Geertz

I had to read the definition couple of times to understand it but if I had to re-word it, I would write something along the lines of,

Religion is:

Interacting symbols that invoke powerful human feelings about existence which, by facts, seem realistic.

I think that this definition has a generally good idea but I don't particularly like the words used.  The main concept, which I like, has to do with a combination of things, that when put together invoke some sort of human feeling about our existence that seem realistic because of supporting facts.  I especially like the interacting things because no religion is based off of one incident or symbol, there is always a combination of things, that work in harmony to produce a certain effect on people.  For example, Christianity has many different incidents recorded in the old testament and the new testament, that all contribute to beliefs of God, Jesus, The Ten Commandments, etc.

I also think like how the definition includes something about facts.  There would be no reason to believe in a religion if there weren't facts backing up the religious foundations.  Jesus was at one time alive.  If this were not true, christians would probably doubt that he was the savior of mankind.  Every religion needs at least some factual evidence or there would be no followers and the religion would die out.

One part of the definition which I do not think is accurate is the word "symbols."  I don't think that religion is composed of only symbols.  There could be some symbols, such as The Cross or the Jewish Star, but I wouldn't think of God as a symbol.  I would rather think of god as an omnipotent, omniscient, necessary, and creative being.  Instead of the word "symbols", I would use many different words such as "ideas,"  "concepts,"  "symbols,"  "events."  There are many things that make up religion only when they are composed together.  Religion cannot be only symbols, but a combination of symbols and other happenings too.