Introduction
Despite differences in practices and belief systems among various religions, they share certain similarities, which are sometimes more profound than may seem at first. One such similarity that is common across time and cultures is religion’s influence on human beings and societies. On a personal level, religious faith is associated with better physical and mental health, higher participation in the life of local communities, increased desire to volunteer, and greater levels of happiness (VanderWeele 358). On a societal level, religion regulates people’s behavior by serving as a moral compass and usually acts as a conservative force. Although all of these factors are important, the current essay seeks to analyze the latter two factors in more detail to show how religion impacts people.
How Religion Impacts People
The majority of known organized religions established a set of rules that aim at regulating individuals’ everyday behavior. These norms have ensured that society reaches stability and harmony as, in general, people rarely have to question what they or others should or should not do. In contrast, such philosophers as Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, and Horkheimer noted that when religion loses its dominant position in society, its members tend to become morally nihilistic (Byrd 2). Indeed, the shocking atrocities that happened during the first and second world wars are believed to be the direct consequence of this process.
Additionally, established religions, although progressive at their creation, represent a conservative force in societies helping to counterbalance reformistic, especially radical, ideas. This, in turn, protects the nations from mistakes that may sometimes bring significant damage. For instance, currently, various Christian groups constitute a firm opposition to abortion rights. By doing so, they invite pro-abortionists to conduct more research and posit better arguments and ensure that the practice implementation occurs gradually and under more control.
Conclusion
Overall, the current essay argued that religion has a major impact on both societies as a whole and their individuals. As for the former, it was, firstly, to show the role of this social institute as a behavior regulator and moral compass. Secondly, it was recognized that religion usually serves as conservative power in society. As such, the analysis revealed that both of these functions promote social stability, safety, and gradual development with the minimum mistakes made along the way.
Works Cited
Byrd, Dustin J. “God Is Dead but Not Forgotten: Horkheimer’s Critique of Nietzsche’s Philosophy of Religion.” Islamic Perspective, vol. 18, no. 1, 2017, pp. 1-9.
VanderWeele, Tyler J. “Religion and Health: A Synthesis.” Spirituality and Religion Within the Culture of Medicine: From Evidence to Practice, edited by Michael Balboni and John Peteet, Oxford University Press, 2017, pp. 357-401.