Religion and Theology (among other things)

First, I have to say how weird it is for me to read about places I am familiar with in a book for a class. I live right in the middle of the area that contains effigy mounds. My hometown is just north of Madison and there are many parks in the area that have mounds. As I said in class, almost everyone I know at home has seen an effigy mound. We went on field trips to see them when I was a kid. We were told that out of respect, we should not walk on them. I never drew much significance from their presence. They were just sort of there. The mounds I'm most familiar with are in a state park and are easily overshadowed by the natural beauty surrounding them. I've found it interesting to learn more about the history behind them.
That said, I found the discussion in class about theology and religion to be very interesting. I firmly believe theology and religion to be connected but two separate things. The abstract and spiritual principles that religion is based on are made concrete by theology. In a way, it is theology that takes simple spirituality and turns it into a practiced religion. The theology behind a religion helps to tie its members into a cohesive group . However, religion is more than a set of ideas, on a both a cultural and on a spiritual level. Culturally, religion ties people together in a community. There is a sense of togetherness that comes from more than just theology. Theology, in the end is a set of ideas. People can practice a religion and believe all, some, or none of the theology. People can study the theology and believe it, or not believe it, without practicing the religion. The two are connected and one could not exist without the other, but they are not the same thing.