Essay on Religion as a Social Institution

Introduction

For centuries, humanity has sought after to know and enlighten on the "meaning of life." According to several philosophers, this burning longing to know humankind's purpose in life and to understand their position in the world is what separates them from other kinds. To try and explain this concept societies have created the social institution. These systems of relationship and behavioral patterns are tightly intertwined and continuing, and role across a whole community. These institutions regulate the behaviors of individuals in essential areas of society (Verwiebe). Since humanity, first appeared religion had been found in one form or another in all human communities. Archeologists have dug ritual items in burial sites and other religious objects. Faith has also led to several social conflicts and wars both in modern and previous societies. According to the sociologist to understand a culture, they must study its religion (Cooke).

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Previous Knowledge of Religious Institutions

Like most people, a religious institution was introduced to me since I was young by my parents. From my community, a church was a very significant part of the society that played a significant role in strengthening community bonds and helping the poor and needy. Religion was also presented to me as a way of teaching, protecting and enhancing morality in the society (Pew Research Center). Going to church was a norm where we would interact with other people in the community, and from there we would gain the concept of what is expected of us by both God and the society. At such an early age, I was introduced to my purpose in life through Christianity. From other social institutions such as school, the concept of religion kept recurring we learn about several forms of religious beliefs and their purpose in the society.

Religious organizations range from churches to sect as accepted religious organizations. The church was the most integrated form of religions in the communities where I grew up in, and it still is. Some well-established rules and regulations are explicitly spelled out in the holy book, the Bible, and members see god in intellectual terms. Devotion has also led to numerous shared engagements and hostilities both in contemporary nature today. The modern society is very diverse, unlike the previous generations people can freely choose whichever religious background that they are comfortable. Christianity specifically, spelled out every aspect of my life, most of the teaching that I got from a young age was unquestionable, and I was supposed to adhere to the proper behaviors taught to me and refrain from the bad "evil" actions. From the media, the religious institution was criticized for stands they took in the public domain, and there is a certain way that the society expects one to behave or act depending on their religious affiliation. Therefore, my previous knowledge regarding region is that it is absolute.

Origin of the Previous Knowledge on Religious Institutions

Humans are born without a culture; they must be transformed through teachers, parents and other into culturally and socially adept animals. Therefore, through socialization, I was introduced to religion and other social institutions and the role I play in life. Through religions, I was introduced to norms, the conceptions of appropriate and expected behavior that were expected of me by the society. Other forms of religion such as Muslims have been presented to me through several kinds of mediums such as the social media and the mainstream media. Besides meeting, different people from several religious backgrounds made me aware of several forms of religious groups such as cults, Amish and sect (Gilmore). Socialization in schools, social events, social media and several institutions since religion is intimately intertwined in every society.

With the vast cultural diversity in our country, integrating personal experiences and having a broader understanding of the world around makes one learn several important things that cannot be found in formal education. Most of the knowledge about religion have been brought to me through my culture and determining the perceptions of others around me. Cultural museums, art shows and other forms of traditional religious festivals taught me about other religious groups and their beliefs. Other is through religious groups that fight for inclusion and legalization in the government has been a source of knowledge in my religious institutions learning experience. Experiences such as Muslim women clothing debates introduced the concept of Islam religious institution in the society.

Key Points on Religious Institutions

Religion is perceived by any society as a crucial part of that particular society. It helps in social cohesion by strengthening the bonds among people; it can also lead conflict between adherents of different religions. It helps in social control by encouraging conformity to norms, and it provides a divine purpose of conforming to these values. On the contrary, it also can inhibit innovation, social reforms and freedom of thought. One of the most significant impacts of religion on the society is the ability to provide emotional support to believers. It aids persons to tolerate suffering and disappointments by giving relief in believing that severe circumstance has a particular purpose. Religion tries to respond to the questions regarding life and death.

In the modern society, although most people believe that religious institutions perform a decisive role in the community, there often concerns about the conduct of these institutions citing too much interest in money and power which is contrary to the original purposes of these institutions. There is a significant grown of nonbelievers or rise of other religious groups in the society that attempts to answer and bridge the gaps that have been created by modernization. From other readings, I have learned that religion serves as a sieve for scrutinizing several critical issues in the society and other societal components (Okon). For instances, extremist attacks in several countries across the world make it vital for leaders, teachers, and the media to educate about Islam to avert stereotyping and encourage religious leniency.

Conclusion

Sociological methods and tools such as interviews, polls, surveys, and study of historical materials can be used to teach religion in culture to aid people to better comprehend the role of religion in societies' lives and how they influence their ways of life. Religion is a cultural universal that is set up in all social groups. The individuals to endure misery and dissatisfactions by benevolent relief in have faith in that severe situation has a precise perseverance. Therefore, research and teaching of religious institutions can help the modern society understand the concepts, principles, covenants, and importance of religion in the world and integrate it into their daily life to maintain specific values and morals that the world needs to cohabit.

References

Cooke, Sherry. Introduction to Marriage and the Family. 27 March 2016. 19 April 2018 <http://brewminate.com/social-institutions-family-religion-and-education/>.

Gilmore, M. "aim: what are the basic concepts of religion?" Concepts of Religion (1-18).

Okon, Etim. "Religion As Insrument Of Socialiazation And Social Control." European Scientific Journal (n.d.): 131-141.

Pew Research Center. Chapter 3: Views of Religious Institutions. 3 November 2015. 19 April 2018 <http://www.pewforum.org/2015/11/03/chapter-3-views-of-religious-institutions/>.

Verwiebe, Roland. "Social Institutions." Encyclopedia of Quality of Life Research (n.d.): 1-4.