The Social Functions Of Religion In Society

The United States of America was founded on the idea of religious freedom. Pilgrims came to America to practice their religion freely. In the Bill of Rights, Americans have the right to freedom of religion. Religion is the foundation in the United States of America, so it should be taught in schools.

I strongly believe that people in America don't care as much as they used to when remembering the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Most people tend to dread going and just don't care to on their day off. I respect that Chick-fila in America shows their Christianity practices. I don't know as much about the Islamic religion in America, but I hope we have more traditional practices of religion stray true in America.

The United States is one of the most religious nations in the world. A majority of the population participates in organized religion and others are privately spiritual. The role of religion plays out in our nation constantly.

What has once been an important role in society, is now uncommon due to outside forces such as education, peers’ beliefs, and the natural evolution of religion, in which all of the above causlessened need or want for religion over time. The underlying question is; do we actually need religion?

Religion is a social institution composed of a unified system of beliefs, symbols, and rituals that guides human life, including behaviors and values. I agree with the claim that the sociological study of religion makes one’s religious faith stronger in societies and communities because the more knowledgeable you are of your religion, the more you follow and practice its beliefs. Reading the books of the religion of your choice allows you to choose the lifestyle you live and control your beliefs. Sociologically studying one’s religion cannot damage religious faith unless you are sociologically studying a religion other than yours. Your devotion to your religion has been given to you at birth, and normally children follow their parents before anyone else.

Did you know that according to Procon’s polls, there are over 300 religions in the United States? Monotheisms, polytheisms, pantheisms, and atheism make up these 300 religions. Although the United States may be one of the freest countries in many fields such as freedom of the press, its censorship level is the fourth lowest in the world according to Reporters Without Borders, I believe that freedom of religion isn’t one of its more free fields. For example, the national motto is “In God We Trust,” which shows the United States that it is a monotheistic country and not secular; no separation of government and church, another example is the controversial “under God” in the pledge of allegiance. Although some atheists and polytheists believe that the words “under God” should be `removed from the pledge of allegiance, it may be argued that it should be kept.

In Modern America, many values that people live by are influenced by the concept of religion. Religion teaches the values in life whether the religion is Christianity, Islam, Hinduism or any kind. The concept of religion being the overarching idea that teaches people values even goes back centuries ago. For instance, the Puritan society was heavily influenced by religion. They lived by the values the bible has taught them and religion was such a big influence that the power was present even in the government. From this kind of society, America has revolutionized into a new society while some concepts will always stay the same.

How can the sociological approach to religion help us understand the world in which Martine and Philippa live? The sociological approach to religion is separated into two distinct categories: quantitative methods, and qualitative approaches. I believe that we can better understand Martine and Philippa’s world through qualitative approach. One of the main observations I had was, the relationship between their religion and economic status. The sisters, and the rest of the community looked as if they lived in poverty. The members of the church never seemed to indulge in anything (besides the feast at the end of the film). Overall, the community seemed to be supportive, and were regularly there for each other.

In today's society, religion has had such an impact on the way we think, eat, act, see, believe and have been educated through the catholic schools and church in our everyday lives. Especially in the country we live in, Australia, which is known for our multicultural and diverseness. Research has shown that religion can have positive effects on both our physical and mental health, our self-esteem, anxiety, stress and can have good influences to protect against depression and the reduced risk of suicide, use of alcohol, drugs and or tobacco.

Religion is one of the most difficult topics in life, not to mention the oldest. People look for the ultimate truth to religion, which in my opinion leads to misguidance and a slant of science. I think this helps true believers find their way to a faith; it certainly helped me. Science does get carried away at times; however, it is good that people are questioning stories from the bible because then we can see how corrupt the world is. Why can 't faith exist? Why does everything have to be black and white? The real truth is within yourself! Believing or not believing in something is solely your decision. Nonetheless, does the sociological study of religion undermine one 's religious faith, make it stronger, or does no harm?

Sociology of religion has truly opened up my perspective on the different types of religion. I learned three key insights that I have gained from the sociological study of religion. My first key insight will be about how a religious organization like the Westboro Baptist Church are a marginalized identity. I will reference the Westboro Baptist Church film. My second key insight will be why people switch denominations or religions. I will reference the book and a family example. My third insight will be the multidimensional types of commitment.

In chapter 5 and 6 Roberts and Yamane discuss how a person becomes religious and the process of converting from one religion to another. One observation they make is in chapter 5 is that religion is taught to us. They described this as, religious socialization, which is a process of individuals being taught religious beliefs, values and norms.

Religion has been a major component of sociological thought from the classical theorists to post-modern sociologists. How society functions and is held together and what connections are fostered by religion has been studied using a scientific outlook on how to accurately interpret and gain an understanding how religion fits in with the social world. The sociology of religion largely differs from theology in assuming indifference to the supernatural, theorists tend to accept socio-cultural reification of religious practice (Wikipedia1 2017). I will be trying to make a connection between Darwin’s use of natural sciences to influence a new way to interpreted social dynamics and how these influences have changed the way sociologist in a postmodern

Religion has been part of our lives for some 2,000 years. Philosophers, kings, Queens, Politicians, and ordinary individuals have explored the positive and negative contributions, which religion has had towards humanity. As we examine the impact of religion on us as part of a community and as individuals, we realize that in one way or another, religion helped to form concepts that harmed a group of people that were and still are massively relevant to the practices of such belief. Although women were allowed and are allowed to practice religion independently of the faith, many taboos were created that challenged the validity and credential of such practice. In medieval times and colonial Latin America, many women were questioned about the methods they used to communicate with God. Many women became the subject to be criticized, accused, expelled, and impelled by society, which with the help of their misunderstanding of the practices of religion, was responsible for depriving women who only had a different way of relating to God. One may argue that the reason why these women were accused of practicing religion in an “inappropriate” way was because of the lack of understanding of the word religion and how it should be practiced.

The Main Function of Religion According to Sociological Arguments Many sociologists believe that the main function of religion is to provide people with a code of conduct, which regulates personal and social life. There are two main theories to what role religion plays within society. One of these theories is the Marxist theory.