SIGNIFICANCE OF RELIGION
In Sociology, the word ‘religion’ is used in a wider sense than that is used in religious books. Thus some sociologists define religion as those institutionalized systems of beliefs, symbols, and values that provide groups of men with solutions to the question of ultimate meaning. Though religion is a highly personal thing, it has a social aspect and a social role to play. It has been a powerful agency in society and performs many important social functions. According to A. Green, religion has three universal functions. These are:
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 suffering 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.
Religion enhances self-importance:
Religion expands one’s self to infinite proportions. Man unites himself with the Infinite and feels ennobled. The society also gains from the self-flattery provided by religious belief. Religion assures a greater reward in the afterlife for worldly failures than for successful life. Such kind of assurance encourages members to continue to play their part in society.
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 lies, women should be faithful to men, and people should be honest and virtuous; these are some of the social values which maintain social cohesion.
Religion encourages social welfare:
Religion has also performed some other services to humanity, like the provision of work and the priesthood often dedicated to art and culture. The priesthood lays the foundation of medicine. It also fulfils the functions of scholars and scientists. Religion has served humanity through spreading education and also creating the habit of charity among the people who open many charitable institutions like hospitals, rest houses, and temples to help the poor.
Religion is the agency of 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 the youth generation to become moral, disciplined and socialized citizens of society.
Religion controls economic life:
Max Weber was of the view that religion also controls economic life. To Weber, capitalism grew in Protestant nations like England, U.S.A. etc. It did not grow in Italy and Spain, where the people are Catholic. The Hindus lay great stress on spiritual progress than on material progress. Hence, materialism could not grow in India.
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