The institution of religion

Religion normally entails the unification of beliefs as well as practices about the sacred materials. The functions that religions serves in the community are normally numerous as well as diverse. Religion is normally said to be a cultural universal since it satisfies an assortment of basic functions within the societies in the context of the human beings. Religion is normally a requirement that every group in the society should possess in their functioning. In the context of sociology, the functions that religions serve fall under the classification of both the manifest as well as the latent functionalities. The manifest functions entailing both the open as well as stated functionalities of religion encompass the definition of the spiritual world as well as offering a meaning to the divine (Terry & Smith, 2006). Religion normally offers an explanation for the events that normally appear difficult to comprehend. Conversely, the latent functions of religion are normally unintended, covert as well as concealed.

Literature Review

The institution of religion offers the ability for evaluation via the application of an assortment of theories since it has always been part of every society. Among the theories applicable to the evaluation of religion include conflict, functionalism as well as interactional theories in assessing the impact of religion in the society. However, the study is going to focus on one of the theories later on in the analysis. The world currently is a place that accommodates more than 4200 religions, churches, religious bodies, denominations, faiths, tribes, movements, cultures among others (Moberg, 2008). Christianity is currently the largest world religion having to encompass over 33% of the population in the world. Islam as the second religion in terms of membership has approximately 21% of the world population (Emerson, Monahan, & Mirola, 2011). These religions normally serve the functionality of belong an integrative force that preserves and additionally solidifies the society. It serves as an element of reinforcing collective unity as well as social solidarity in the society. The sharing of a unitary religion and religious interpretations of life serves the role of uniting the individuals in a model that embraces cohesion and reinforcing the moral order of the society. The creation of the social order is via the rituals as the recitation of prayers honoring one's God, the worship institutions along with the ceremonies that these faithful shares (Moberg, 2008).

Religion additionally serves the role of building precepts of morality in the community. In this case, religion offers a belief system around which people normally gather and consequently belong to something. Through the aspect of belonging to a certain faith, the individuals are members of an entity that is bigger than them to make it possible to reinforce their personal beliefs via the groups along with its rituals (Moberg, 2008). The membership of a moral community additionally entails the sharing of a common life. The moral community consequently produces social community via the symbolism of the sacred supporting the ordinary attributes of life. As a result, religion serves to legitimize the society via the provision of the sacred sanctions that support social order. Religion additionally offers a platform for the execution of ceremonies along with rituals connected to the rites of passage as birth and marriage thus giving meaning as well as social significance to our lives (Emerson, Monahan, & Mirola, 2011).

Conflict Theory Application

Most of the issues that religions talks about are normally about the positive aspects although there are numerous negative aspects of religion. Religion has been a major element that has caused many conflicts in the world. Currently, most of the conflicts occurring are as a result of religion. Religions have additionally been a cause of the long stretching conflict between the Muslims and Christians. The theorists supporting this position argue that religion is one of the most fundamental obstacles to the social structural changes in the society. The dysfunction of religion is normally the common foundation supporting the conflict as well as functionalist theories. In this case, the main assertion is that religion normally supplies the prevalent tension eminent between various groups as well as societies (Emerson, Monahan, & Mirola, 2011). 

The conflict perspective follows the presumption that social behavior can best be understood using the tension prevalent between various groups over power. The common position supporting the theory is that it offers, reinforces and consequently legitimizes the rule of the ruling class along with their interests. Additionally religion is said to give hope to the masses even in those situations whereby none exists, thus keeping them content with the prevalent state of affairs. The common belief is that religion is a tool that the rich use to be able to dominate the mass (Terry & Smith, 2006). 

Conclusion

Regardless of the views as attributes that guide religion, it offers an excellent element that maintains sanity in the society in addition to giving meaning to the life of the human society. Religion as institution possesses very significant impact on the society where it dwells, with the fact that it portrays both the positive as well as the negative characteristics augmenting the stability of the societies.  The societies that utilize religion as their cornerstones are normally able to offer a significant sense of calm in the same society. Additionally, regardless of the negative attributes, religion makes it possible for the society to establish as well as reinforce social norms along with the cultural expectations.

References

Emerson, M. O., Monahan, S. C., & Mirola, W. A. (2011). Religion matters: What sociology teaches us about religion in our world. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Moberg, D. O. (2008). Spirituality and aging: Research and implications. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 20, 95–134.

Terry, K., & Smith, M. L. (2006). The nature and scope of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests and deacons in the United States: Supplementary data analysis. Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Sherry Roberts is the author of this paper. A senior editor at MeldaResearch.Com in top custom essay if you need a similar paper you can place your order from custom nursing essay.