Meaning of Religion
The origin of the term religion Madan and Mazumdar says that the term religion is derived from two root words such as ‘Leg’ means to gather, count or observe and ‘Lig’ means ‘to bind’. Accordingly, religion is a belief in a supernatural power or refers to the performance of practices that bind together or link human existence. Religion is a belief in God in other words religion is the human response to the apprehension of something of power, which is supernatural and supersensory. It is the expression of the manner and type of adjustment affected by the people with their conception of the supernatural. Belief and rituals are two main parts of religion. Beliefs are a charter for rituals. Rituals consist of observance according to a prescribed manner of certain actions designed to establish liaison between the performing individual and the supernatural powers. Religion involves a set of symbols invoking feelings of reverence or awe and are linked to rituals practiced by a community of believers.
Definition of Religion
Arnold W. Green defines religion as “a system of beliefs and symbolic practices and objects, governed by faith rather than by knowledge, which relates man to an unseen supernatural realm beyond the known and beyond the controllable.”
According to Maclver and Page, “Religion, as we understand the term, implies a relationship not merely between man and man but also between man and some higher power.”
As Gillin and Gillin say, “The social field of religion may be regarded as including those emotionalized beliefs prevalent in a social group concurring the supernatural plus crest and behaviour, material objects and symbols associated with such beliefs.”
James G. Frazer considered religion as a belief in “Powers superior to man which are believed to direct and control the course of nature and of human life”.
According to E. B. Tylor defined religion is “the belief in spiritual beings”.
Social theorist Émile Durkheim defined religion as a “unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things”.
Thus, different scholars define religion according to their view but it is very difficult to agree upon a universally accepted definition that will satisfy everyone. Because religion is a very complex phenomenon.
Role of religion in social life
Religion is concerned with the shared beliefs and practices of human beings. It is the human response to those elements in the life and environment of mankind which are beyond their ordinary comprehension. Religion is pre-eminently social and is found in nearly all societies. Majumdar and Madan explain that the word religion has its origin in the Latin word Rel (I) igio. This is derived from two root words.
The first root is Leg, meaning ‘together, count or observe’. The second root is Lig, meaning ‘to bind’. The first root refers to belief in and practice of “signs of Divine Communication”. The second root refers to the carrying out those activities which link human beings with supernatural powers. Thus, we find that the word religion represents beliefs and practices which are generally the main characteristics of all religions.
Role or Functions of Religion
Religion is interwoven with all aspects of human life: with kinship systems, economic and political institutions. Prior to the advent of what may be called “the age of reason”, religion has been the chief supporter of life’s spiritual and moral values. It has shaped domestic, economic and political institutions. Hence, it is obvious that religion performs a number of functions both for the religious group and for the wider society.
Religion provides mental peace:
Human life is uncertain. He struggles for his survival amidst the uncertainties, insecurities and dangers. Sometimes he feels helplessness. It is the religion that consoles and encourages him in all such times of crisis. Religion gives the right to shelter to him. He gets mental peace and emotional support. It encourages him to face his life and problems.
It inculcates social virtues:
Religion promotes the major social virtues like truth, honesty, non-violence, service, love, discipline etc. Besides values like children should obey their parents, people should be honest and virtuous, women should be faithful to men etc. brings cohesion in society. By the common possession of these values, individuals control the actions of self and others, thereby leading to society’s perpetuation. A follower of the religions internalizes these virtues and becomes a disciplined citizen of the society.
Religion promotes social solidarity:
Religion gives rise to the spirit of brotherhood. Durkheim viewed that religion strengthens social solidarity. A.W. Green also pointed out that religion has the supreme 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 that strengthen unity and solidarity.
Religion is an agent of socialization and social control:
Parsons viewed religion as one of the most important socialization and social control agents. It has a significant role in organizing and directing social life. It helps in preserving social norms and strengthening social control. It socializes him individual and exercises control over both individual and group in various ways. As an informal means, religion regulates the activities of people in its way. An organization like temples, mosques, churches, Gurudwaras, etc. also control individuals’ behaviour at different levels.
Religion promotes welfare:
Religion teaches the people to serve the masses and promote their welfare. It gives the message that “the service to humanity is service to God”. For this reason, people spend money to feed the poor and needy. Great religions like Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity etc. emphasize aim-giving to the poor and beggars. It developers the philanthropic attitude of the people and thereby inject the idea of mutual help and co-operation. With the influence of religious belief, different religious organizations engage themselves in various welfare activities.
Religion gives recreation:
Religion plays a charming role in providing recreation to the people. Religious rites and festivals are performed in every religion which gives relief to the people from mental exertion. Similarly, religious lectures, bhajans, kirtans, dramas, dance, music, puranas, fairs, festivals, art exhibitions, musical concerts followed by the utterance of a hymn, etc. give much more pleasure to people and provide eternal recreation.
Religion influences economy:
Sociologists like Sombart and Max Weber rightly established the relationship of religion with the economic system. Weber observed the influence of Protestant ethics in the development of capitalism. Sombart 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.
Religious influences political system:
Religion has played a significant role in the political system in ancient and medical society. Even in modern times in many countries of the world, religion, directly and indirectly, influences political activities. During ancient and medieval periods, the monarchs were treating themselves as the representatives of God or ruling the society in God’s name. Even today, Political leaders take oaths in the name of God. The political system of the world countries like Bhutan, Pakistan, Italy, Germany, England, etc. is influenced by religion.
Religion Strengthens Self-confidence:
Religion is an effective means to strengthen self-confidence. Certain beliefs like ‘work is worship’, ‘duty is divine’, ‘result in predestined’, etc. found in various religions give strength to the individual and promote self-confidence. His self thus becomes grand and elevated.
Therefore, it can be concluded that religion may not work as a cohesive force because religion has its bright and dark side. Religion as a social mechanism or phenomenon has been subject to serve humanity and also abused to exploit people. It is here that religion has a unifying role. Yet, it remains ennobling to the faithful.
TOTEMISM
The concept of totemism as a form of religion was first formulated by John McLennan, in an article “The Worship of Animals and plants” (1869-1870). The term Totem is derived from the Obijbwa word ototeman, meaning “one’s brother-sister kin”.
Totemism implies a tribal social organization of the sib or clan pattern associated with a form of supernaturalism consisting of some typical attitude towards animals, plants or some other natural objects. Totem is related both to religion and clan organization.
Regarding the religious aspect of totem, many scholars have their opinions and writing. Tylor opined totemism emerged in the form of religious worship and ancestor worship. Emile Durkheim took totemism as the most elementary form of religious life and suggested that it was the clan worshipping itself and the collective emblem of society and worship of society is the source of totemism according to him.
An association between human groups or individuals and specific animals or plants entailed ritualized observances and sometimes eating avoidances. James Frazer argued that totemism existed were ‘savages’ had no knowledge of the human male’s role in conception. Herbert Risley pointed out, in India, the religious aspect of totemism is almost dead to a considerable extent, and the social aspect is more operative.
Totemism as a theory of religion:
A totem is a species of animal or plant, or part of an animal or plant, or a natural object, or a symbol with significant distinguishing features for a human group.
Primitive people regard them with superstition, respect, and believe that they guide them and their clan members. The totemism concept believes in reverence towards the totem and at times sacrifices are offered to the totem.
Members of a tribe affiliate themselves with the totem. The totem is a collective religious object with supernatural or mysterious powers for the group. It is associated with the tribal organization and often becomes the name of the tribe/clan.
Totemism appeared to be important to those societies where it was found it was associated with the rule of exogamy between totemic groups. This exogamy was maintained for fear of the unknown. Sometimes primitive people believed that there was a blood relationship between them and the totem therefore the totem has to be crossed in marriage.
Killing or eating the totem is forbidden, but if it is an animal or a bird it is killed and eaten during festivals. Sometimes using the totem is taboo.
A religious attitude is attached to the totem and descent is traced through the totemic line.
Thus, many tribes have some kind of religious regard for totemic plants and animals. The Bhils, Gonds, Munda, Ho, the Oraon, and various other tribes give considerable importance to totems and make them the basis for many practices and beliefs.
For example, Totems of Kharia are- Kulu-tortoise, Kiro-tiger, Nag-cobra, Konkul-leopard, Kuto-crocodile.
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