Clifford Geertz 1926-2006

The anthropologist who first taught us that

Religion is (1) a system of symbols which acts to (2) establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in men by (3) formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and (4) clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality that (5) the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic.

"Religion as a Cultural System," in Michael Banton, ed., Anthropological Approaches to the Study of Religion (New York: Praeger, 1966), p. 4

He will be missed.