1 The Role of Religion in Society Diana Roblero-Vazquez SOC201S: Introduction to Sociology Professor John Rinciari Old Dominion University April 15, 2024 2 Religion is the human beings’ relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of especial reverence (Britannica, 2024). Religion enables both individuals and societies to take on tasks such as developing a shared interpretation of the world, a common identity, and a set of behavioral standards; it provides the compass for that behavior (Henrlques, 2024). There are many scholars who have gathered empirical evidence tracing a strong correlation between religious observance in America and virtuous behavior (Newsroom, 2012). Many Americans followed rules because they came to believe that even if the police did not catch them when they broke a law, God would catch them (Newsroom, 2012). This directly leads individuals to voluntarily obey laws, allowing Democracy to work (Newsroom, 2012). From 2003 to 2012, Dr. Llana M. Horwitz followed the lives of 3,290 teenagers to study the correlation between religion and education (Bellstorf, 2022). The academic advantage of religious working-class children begins in middle and high school with the grades they earn (Bellstorf, 2022). About 21 percent of religious teenagers brought home report cards filled with A’s. On the other hand, only about 9 percent of less religious teenagers brought home A’s (Bellstorf, 2022). Additionally, being involved in a religious community demonstrates the socialization of adolescents and allows for two very useful skills to develop: conscientiousness and cooperation (Spector, 2018). Furthermore, it allows kids to develop trusting relationships with individuals who share a common outlook on life, encouraging teenagers to follow rules and avoid antisocial behaviors (Bellstorf, 2022). However, religion does not work on its own, adolescents must believe and belong to be buffered against emotional, cognitive, or behavioral despair (Bellstorf, 2022). From the previous paragraphs, religion can affect society and its members in a positive manner. However, it can also negatively affect us. The majority of religions are exclusive to their 3 beliefs and encourage intolerance against people of different faiths (Trishvicious, 2013). The sense of righteousness seen in the religious movement leads to superiority which seemingly allows for any act, as long as it can be justified with loyalty to the divine (Trishvicious, 2013). Additionally, religion can have a negative impact on minorities like women and homosexuals (Trishvicious, 2013). Since religion has a strong correlation to how an individual behaves or stands in political debate, there may be discrepancies in certain legislative decisions. A very wellknown example would be the legalization of gay marriage. Christian churches strongly expressed opposition and the prejudice against homosexual couples divided the society and caused stigma to many (Trishvicious, 2013). Without religion, our society would look much different than it does now. Since religion affects many aspects of our lives, even the simplest rules would change. There would be no ground rule of what is considered moral or immoral. This would lead to a flexible and adaptive moral code, allowing for swift societal changes and advancements (Alias, 2023). However, religion has historically been a glue that binds communities, and provides a sense of purpose, comfort, and community (Alias, 2023). Without religion, the emergence of an idea or system would have to occur in order for many individuals to find a common sense of belonging. Rabbi Sacks once wrote, “Without that belief, there is no meaning, there are merely individual choices, fictions embraced as fates. Without meaning there is no distinctively human life, there is merely the struggle to survive, together with the various contrivances human beings have invented to cover their boredom or despair.” From a functionalist perspective, religion serves several functions, it depends on it for its existence, value, and significance. It allows for answers in response to spiritual mysteries, emotional comfort, and a place for interaction and social control (Conerly et al., 2021). Without 4 religion, there would be no way to set rules and give hope to individuals who are in despair. Additionally, there would be a loss of stability and meaning to human beings. Furthermore, since religion creates opportunities for social support and social interaction, there would be a great loss of cohesion and integration for society members (Conerly et al., 2021). On the other hand, from a conflict theory perspective, religions help maintain patterns of social inequality and have been used to support the “divine right” of oppressive monarchs to justify unequal social structures. (Conerly et al., 2021). Religion serves as a power dynamic to keep poor people poor and to teach them that they shouldn’t be concerned with what they lack because their “true” reward will come after death (Conerly et al., 2021). Without religion, there would be more individuals wanting to break the poverty cycle, knowing that what they are living is their only reward and nothing comes after death. The withdrawal of religion would allow for social inequality to lessen. From a symbolic interactionism perspective, religion is only sacred because the individuals consider it sacred. Religion emphasizes the daily lives of individuals and how they interpret their religious experiences. With the loss of religion, there would be no more sacred symbols, a cross would only be a “t”, and a star and moon would only be two shapes in the sky. Our day-to-day lives would most likely change as well, since the way we greet or even say goodbye can be influenced by religion. There would be a huge difference in my life if there was no religion. I grew up in a Christian household and was raised based on Christian morals. I got baptized at the age of 15 and have been a follower of Crist since then. There would be a vast difference in my life if religion no longer existed. Through church, I have met many wonderful people who are like family to me now. I would have had a difficult time breaking out of my shell since I was a very timid child. 5 References Alias. (2023, October 12). What would the world be like if religion never existed? The BURNER *. https://theburner.substack.com/p/what-would-the-world-be-like-if-religion [Author removed at request of original publisher]. (2016, April 8). 17.3 Sociological perspectives on religion. University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing Edition, 2016. This Edition Adapted from a Work Originally Produced in 2010 by a Publisher Who Has Requested That It Not Receive Attribution. https://open.lib.umn.edu/sociology/chapter/17-3-sociological-perspectives-onreligion/ Conerly, T. R., Holmes, K., & Tamang, A. L. (2021, June 3). 15.1 The sociological approach to religion - Introduction to sociology 3e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology3e/pages/15-1-the-sociological-approach-to-religion Could humanity survive without religion? (n.d.). One Country. Retrieved April 15, 2024, from https://onecountry.org/story/could-humanity-survive-without-religion. Horwitz, I. M. (2022, March 15). Opinion. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/15/opinion/religion-school-success.html How Religion is Vital to Society. (2012, March 12). Newsroom.Churchofjesuschrist.Org. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/religions-vital-place-society Ph.D., G. H. (2024, March 22). What is religion? Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/theory-of-knowledge/202403/what-is-religion Religiously engaged adolescents demonstrate habits that help them get better grades, Stanford scholar finds. (2018, April 15). Stanford Graduate School of Education. 6 https://ed.stanford.edu/news/religiously-engaged-adolescents-demonstrate-habits-help-them-getbetter-grades-stanford-scholar The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2000, January 6). Religion. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/religion Trishvicious. (2013, June 2). What is the role of religion in society today? Kettle Mag. https://kettlemag.co.uk/what-is-the-role-of-religion-in-society-today/
