Theoretical overview
A particular system of faith and worship Is also known as a religion.
Religion is a thought process which influence the mind of people and has 3 aspects rituals, beliefs and code of conduct.
Religion is the main means of social control as well as a reason for social conflict
Sati pratha is the main conflict in HINDS. Sati pratha means when the husband dies the woman was also burn with him this is the most heartless tradition which was done in earlier time. This pratha was banned by raja Mohan Roy.
Religion has 3 aspects:
Rituals: ceremonies or festivals to express the belief example praying, chanting, eating some kind of food.
Beliefs: faith upon a religion by a community of believer trust, faith or confidence in something called god or supernatural entity.
Code of conduct: method of worshipping ,set of symbols, method of living a way of life.
Role of religion in a society
Though religion is a highly personal thing, yet it has a social aspect and social role to play. It has been a powerful agency in society and performed many important social functions. As Selbie puts it: “It is not that the sacred society or church becomes or takes the place of God, but rather that man finds that he can best approach his God as he does so in fellowship, with others, as a member of a community which exists to secure the end for which God stands According to Arnold W. Green, religion has three universal function Firstly, it rationalises and makes bearable individual suffering in the known world Secondly, it enhances self-importance; and Thirdly, it helps to knit the social values of a society into a cohesive whole.
- Explains individual suffering: Man does not live by knowledge alone. He is an emotional creature as well. Religion serves to soothe the emotions of man in times of his suffering and disappointments and, contributes to the integration of the personality. In this world man often suffers disappointment and frustration even in the midst of all hopes and achievements. When a son dies man seeks to assuage his grief in ritualistic exchanges of condolence. On God he puts faith and entertains the belief that some unseen power moves in mysterious ways to make even his loss meaningful. Faith in God compensates him and sustains his interests in life and makes it bearable. There is a limit to which society can go, guided by sheer rationality. In this way religion gives release from sorrow and fear. It enables the individual to interpret any catastrophe as intermediate and secondary It helps man to bear his frustrations and integrate his personality.
- Enhances self-importance: Religion expands one’s self to infinite proportions. Man unites himself with the infinite and feels ennobled Through unity with the infinite the self is made majestic and triumphant. The soul of the believer is worth more than all the earthly kingdom. Man considers himself the noblest work of God with whom he shall be united and his self thus becomes grand and luminous.
- Agency of social control: Religion emphasise, in one form or another, the consequences resulting from behaviour Rewards or punishments follow approved or disapproved actions. Religion can help our youth to become moral, disciplined and socialised citizens of society.
- Religion controls and affects economic life also: Max Weber was of the view that religion also influences the economic system of the believers. Thus, according to him capitalism grew in the protestant nations like England, USA and Holland. It did not grow in Italy and Spain where the people are Catholics. The Hindus lay great stress on spiritual progress than on material progress. Hence, materialism could not grow in India.
- Promotion of literature: Besides, religion has also contributed to the growth of literature, art and music. The desire to laud and please gods has led people to extol them in song, sculpture, painting and architecture. Some of the world’s most beautiful monuments are buildings erected to the glory of the Gods. Vast temples like Tirupati and Mahabaleshwar mosques like Jama Masjid, cathedrals like Roman Church, and artistic images of Gods and Godesses like Vishnu and Durga express man’s desire to portray his conceptions of the supernatural in aesthetic and inspiring ways.
- Friendship function: Religion also provides a good opportunity for friendship. The religious congregations serve as a place for men to find their mates and for friendly association. This friendship function of religion is a vital service to adults and youth as well.
Points to remember
- Religion is a thought process which influence the mind of people and has 3 aspects rituals, beliefs and code of conduct.
- It has been a powerful agency in society and performed many important social functions
- Religion serves to soothe the emotions of man in times of his suffering and disappointments and, contributes to the integration of the personality.