Religious Integration or Division
Religion, Integrative or Divisive
The current society in which everyone is brought up presents an efflorescent concern on the take and role of religion. Religion is expected to be a social unifying factor in the society, but the twists of today's culture depict religion as both an integrative and divisive factor. The presuppositions and implications of religion have changed its perception of sociologists, especially on how it has brought social change. Religious dimensions in the society have diversified the social experience making it co-terminous. Religious evolution, differentiation and subjectivity of religion on the current global revolution have been more divisive than integrative.
Religion does not bring out the value of individualism. Religion only meets the personal need for consolation in times of death and frustrations. This constitutes of the human's refusal to allow enmity divide human associations. Many religious sects have been formed with the aim of withdrawing people from their social grounds and bringing on hostility in the society. The rise of religious innovations is nowadays triggered by the widespread reactions from upcoming social conditions. These reactions are abreast in pulling apart integration and coherency in the society (Coleman, 1970).
In promoting division in the society, religion has diverted its role by responding on social groups. Despite the articulation of this as a social function of religion, the relation that an individual has with his or her society cannot be postulated. By so doing, the religious power justifies deprivation and social injustices by rendering non-competitive and scarce goals. This notion further asserts that these goals are unimportant on matters of inequality and exploitation. Religion does this by making conditional policies in providing solutions to social issues, but does a disservice to individuals; hence preventing its role of bring positive change in the society (Hamilton, 2001).
Conclusion
Religion is responsible for spurring cross cultural and social changes in society. It brings every person into fellowship according to his or her own doctrines and emphasized experiences. Religion does integrate the society, by attempting to relativize individual desires, and fears, in addition to subordinating personal preferences to a conception of harmony. However, from the functional approaches of the society, the objectivity of religion neither dwells on the judgment of being integrative or divisive.
References
Hamilton, M. (2001). The Sociology of Religion: Theology and Comparative Perspectives. New Jersey: Routledge.
Coleman, J.A. (1970). Religion. Sociology of Religion, Vol 31, Issue 2, pp 67-77.
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