Whether you are a Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, or anything else, Religion unites people, provides answers to fundamental questions, and even affects political decisions in many countries. Learn more about the different types of religions and how they affect our world. Here are a few examples. Let’s start by looking at the social constructionist view. This view does not believe in supernatural beings, and instead, focuses on the meaning of religion. Religion is different for every individual, society, and time period. In this way, religion can illustrate diversity on three dimensions: historical, contemporaneous, and cross-cultural.
Religion is a social phenomenon
Sociologists of religion face different challenges in this century. The rise of global political economy is the result of technological advances. While this process is centuries old, recent advances in communications and transportation have ushered in a global community. Globalization has brought new challenges to sociology of religion, including the rise of religious extremism. These changes have eroded the notion of religion as a social phenomenon, causing smoldering conflicts among different religious traditions.
It brings people together
While there are a variety of religious beliefs and practices, the main goal of every religion is the same: to unite the human race. Religions are designed to promote self-reflection and socialization, which helps people forget about their personal problems and unite as a community. These values have aided the rise of human civilization, and are still important today. While it is difficult to define exactly how religion brings people together, it has played an important role in many lives over the centuries.
It provides answers to fundamental questions
According to Emile Durkheim, religion is an important component of society because it creates social cohesion by enforcing rules and rituals that reinforce mental states and collective energies. Moreover, it answers fundamental questions like “what is the meaning of life?”
It affects political decisions in many countries
The study of religion has limited history in analyzing state behavior and foreign policy, particularly in rising states. But this article argues that religious and cultural elements play a significant role in influencing the decisions of foreign policy makers. It is possible to understand the role of religion in foreign policy by looking at how religious groups view the world. It shows how the world of religion is interwoven with global politics. For example, the Islamic world’s policies toward the Israelis and Palestinians may be influenced by their religious beliefs.
It can be a source of conflict
The rise of religious extremists in many societies contributes to the development of conflict, as they view radical actions as necessary to fulfill God’s will. This manichean outlook of the world makes moderate behavior appear as a betrayal of God’s will. In such a context, the role of religion can be ambiguous, a source of tension and latent conflict. In fact, the rise of religious extremists has increased the incidence of war and violence in many regions of the world.