The existence of any society depends on the efficient functioning of a number of institutions that provide the basis for the further evolution of various communities. In the course of its development, humanity has created and explored many different systems focused on the improvement of the quality of life and provision of the secure environment. In this regard, the modern society could be considered as the result of the cooperation of various institutions that limit the life of its members, care about their health, and provide some goal for the further development.
Additionally, members of any society should be united around a certain ideology and moral that will differentiate them from any other community. Religion is one of the main factors that impacts the formation of this very ideology and moral.
If to speak about this phenomenon, it performs a number of useful social functions. As mentioned above, religion has the great integrative power. It preserves and solidifies any society by introducing certain values and perspectives (Barkan, n.d.). People sharing the same religious interpretation could be characterized by strong interrelations and mutual supportiveness. This social cohesion is also conditioned by various rituals, institutions of worship, and customs (Ten most important functions of Religion, n.d.).
For instance, visiting Church every Sunday, community members become closer to each other and acquire the feeling of partnership and belonging to a certain social group. it the crucial function of religion as cohesion is one of the major concerns of any society.
Provision of a specific system of values and beliefs is another essential function of religion. Any community should rest on several core principles that will limit its functioning and highlight the perspectives for its further evolution (Some of the major functions of religion, n.d.).
The moral is the phenomenon that impacts the formation of these principles. For this reason, religion is extremely vital as it contributes to the creation of a common ideology shared by all members of society and promotes the development of a collective identity (Campbell, n.d.). Additionally, the major goals of any society depend on the values it appreciates. That is why, creating the moral basis, religion also encourages the achievement of a certain purpose and stimulates people.
Finally, this institution could also be considered the mechanism that creates strict limits aimed at the preservation of society. There are many examples from the past when church interfered the functioning of a state to punish people who acted not in accordance with the main principles outlined by the existing doctrine. (Functions of Religion, n.d.) These measures were rather cruel; however, a number of scientists agree that they helped to preserve the cohesion of society and guaranty its further evolution (Mondal, n.d.).
In the modern world, religious institutions do not have such an overwhelming power, but they still influence the conduct of people who believe in them. Religions sanctions could initiate various significant processes in society to protect or condemn a certain value or phenomenon. For this reason, this institution could be taken as the crucial and efficient mechanism which introduces the limits needed for the promotion of the existence of society.
To summarize, religion remains one of the main forces impacting the functioning of any community and performing a number of crucial functions, starting with the creation of the moral basis and ending with the monitoring of the state of moral.
References
Barkan, S. (n.d.). Sociological Perspectives on Religion. Web.
Campbell, C. (n.d.). The Many Functions of Religions. Web.
Functions of Religion. (n.d.). Web.
Mondal, P. (n.d.). Religion: 3 Most Important Functions of Religion. Web.
Some of the major functions of religion. (n.d.). Web.
Ten most important functions of Religion. (n.d.). Web.