Importance Of
Religion In Today’s World
Religion is an important part of life for many people. Even
people who are not all that religious by nature consider it to be important.
The question is why do they feel this way? The reason is largely down to the belief
that society needs religion. As a society we benefit from our collective
religious beliefs. In fact there are many people who would argue that we could
not function without religion. The biggest reason that society needs religion
is to regulate behaviour. Most of the laws that we follow today have their
basis in religious teachings. There is considerable debate as to whether or not
religion is required to make us good people but what is beyond dispute is that
the rules for what is acceptable for society are largely based on religion.
Without religion we would almost certainly live in a different type of society,
Religion can have great importance for a society for a
variety of reasons. Depending on the culture and governmental style it can
range from a simple influence to a complete control of society.
Both from individual and social point of view religion
perform the following functions:
1. Religion provides mental peace:
Human life is uncertain. He struggles for his survival
amidst the uncertainties, insecurities and dangers, Some-times he feels
helplessness. It is the religion which consoles and encourages him in all such
time of crisis. Religion gives right shelter to him. He gets mental
peace and emotional support. It encourages him to face his life and
problems.
2. Religion explains individual suffering
Man does not live by knowledge alone. He is an emotional
creature. Religion serves to the emotions of man in times of his sufferings
and disappointment. On God religion puts faith and entertains the belief that
some unseen power moves in mysterious ways to make even his loss
meaningful. In this way religion gives release from sorrow and release from
fear. It helps man to bear his frustration and integrate his personality.
3. It inculcates social virtues:
Religion promotes the major social virtues like truth,
honesty, non-violence, service, love, discipline etc. A follower of the
religions internalizes these virtues and becomes disciplined citizen of the
society.
4. Religion promotes social solidarity:
Religion gives rise to the spirit of brotherhood.
Durkheim viewed that religion strengthens social solidarity. A.W. Gene also
pointed out that religion has the supremely integration and verifying force in
human society. It is true that common belief, common sentiment, common worship,
participation in common rituals etc. are the significant cementing factors
which strengthen unity and solidarity.
5. Religion converts the animal qualities to human
qualities:
Religion inculcates the spirit of self-service. It
demands that people should be charitable and benevolent. Through various
religious experiences he forgets the worldly life and problems. This experience
suppresses the animal desires and converts the animal qualities of man to human
qualities.
6. Religion is an agent of socialization and social
control:
Religion provides a model for living. It upholds
certain ideals and values. The believer imbibes these ideals and values in
his life. Religion can help youth generation to become moral,
disciplined and socialized citizens of society. Organization like temples,
mosques, church, Gurudwaras etc. also control the behaviour of the
individuals at different level.
7. Religion promotes welfare:
Religion teaches to the people to serve the masses and
promote their welfare. It gives message that "the service to humanity is
service to God". For this reason, people spend money to feed poor and
needy. Great religions like Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity etc. put emphasis
on aim-giving to the poor and beggars. With the influence of religious belief
different religious organizations engage themselves in various welfare
activities. Like spreading of education and opening up many charitable
institutions like hospitals, rest houses, temples and to help the poor.
8. Religion gives recreation:
Religion plays a charming role in providing recreation
to the people. Religious rites and festivals are more or less performed in
every religion which gives relief to the people from mental exertion. Similarly
religious lectures, bajana, kirtans, musical concerts followed by the utterance
of hymn etc. gives much more pleasure to the people and provides eternal
recreation.
9. Religion comes as a source of social cohesion
Religion is the ultimate source of social cohesion. The
primary requirement of society is the possession of social values by which
individuals control the action of self and others and through which
society is perpetuated. Science and technology cannot create this
value. Religion is the foundation upon which these values rest. Children
should obey their parents, should not tell lie, women should be
faithful to men, people should be honest and Virtuous, are some of the
social values which maintain social cohesion.
10. Religion influences economy:
Sociologists like Sombert and Max Weber rightly
established the relationship of religion with economic system. Weber observed
the influence of Protestant ethics in the development of capitalism.
Sombert found this spirit of capitalism in Jewish norms. For the distinct religious
principles present in Christianity, capitalism grew in protestant countries but not
in the country like India, Pakistan etc. The Hindus lay great stress
on spiritual progress than on material progress. Hence, materialism could not
grow in India
11. Religious influences political system:
Religion has played a significant role in political
system in the ancient and medieval society. Even in modern times in many countries
of the world the religion directly and indirectly also influences political
activities. During ancient and medieval period, the monarchs were treating
themselves as the representatives of the God or ruling the society in the name
of God. Even today, Political leaders take oath in the name of God. The
political system of the countries of the world like Bhutan,
Pakistan, Italy, Germany, England etc. are influenced by religion.
12. Religion Strengthens Self-confidence:
Religion is an effective means to strengthen
self-confidence. There are certain beliefs like 'work is worship', 'duty
is divine', 'result in predestined' etc. which is found in various religions gives
strength to the individual and promotes self-confidence. One last reason
that we need religion is that it gives us something to believe in. People need
to believe that there is a reason for what they are doing and that there is a reason
for life. Religion provides this for them. This is what gives people the desire
to go outland work every day and to try to make the world a better place. They
do it because they believe there is a meaning behind it all. This is largely
down to religion.
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