Running head: SOCIOLOGY

SOCIOLOGY: THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN SOCIETY

Student name
Institutional affiliation

SOCIOLOGY

2
Sociology: The Role of Religion in Society

It is well understood that religion serves the purpose of giving people a sense of
responsibility to a greater being or power, the creator, and ruler of all life forms, or rather the
Supreme Being. From this perspective, it is evident for one to see that religion serves the purpose
of promotion of human morality and other associated norms of acceptable social behavior. The
principles of morality in existence, and which traverse the core ideologies of most religions
include but are not limited to righteousness, justice, kindness, honesty, tolerance, brotherhood,
and equality. These principles are also known as virtues, which serve the purpose of ensuring
human beings live happy and fulfilling lives (Davie, 2013).
Several people have come up with different theories on religion. To further look at the
subject matter of the role of religion in society, this paper will review a few of those theories.
More specifically, the theories or viewpoints of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim will be considered
for this discussion. According to Durkheim, religion poses as a system of beliefs, norms, and
practices that are unified and about sacred things. These beliefs unite people to form a moral
community such as the church for instance. Weber on the other hand credits religion for serving
to shape the worldviews of individuals. In some way, Weber observes religion as a system of
beliefs that fills the gap of intelligence of the unknown. The unknown in this case refers to
matters like the origin of life, what happens to the spirits of people after death and the origin of
the universe among other things. These beliefs, which fill an ideological vacuum, are responsible
for the convictions that religious people experience. Then again, Marxs theory of religion sees
religion as a sanctuary where people can be relieved from the harshness of life, as they know it.
The renowned scholar even once termed religion as opium of the people (Davie, 2013). As

SOCIOLOGY
such, and according to Marx, religion implores people to accept the true realities of difficulties
and challenges in life with hope for happiness and rewards from the Devine.
Aside from the postulations of the theorists, it is safe to say that the role of religion has
experienced some changes over time. During the medieval times, religion played roles in
determining approaches to governance and administration much more than the principles of
morality. In modern times, however, religion plays the role of upholding the virtues above in the
society. In the recent past, however, and especially in the developed nations of the West, like the
United States, religion seems to be playing more of a ceremonial role. The people have become
too open minded to adapt some individualistic worldviews. The effect is apparent, even in the
law, which now allows gay marriages, gun possession and abortion among others.

SOCIOLOGY

4
References

Davie, G. (2013). The sociology of religion: A critical agenda. Sage.