Structural functionalism, or simply functionalism, is "a framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability".. Religion is assumed to be a sociobehavioral factor similar to social support and education, factors that themselves are positively associated with several health benefits, including better cognitive functioning (Stephens, Kinney, Norris, and Ritchie 1987; Weintraub, Powell, and Whitla 1994). For example, in Iraqi the Sunnis and the Shiites have fought civil wars because of religion. levels of stress and anxiety produced by sufficiently dysfunctional social and especially economic environments. One dysfunction is the presumption that organized religion is a positive social force. Religion helps to create social order and maintains the value consensus. No doubt religion performs many positive roles in society and act as an integrating or unifying force in human society. These include (a) giving meaning and purpose to life, (b) reinforcing social unity and stability, (c) serving as an agent of social control of behavior, (d) promoting physical and psychological well-being, and (e) motivating people to work for positive social change. The Vern and Bonnie Bullough Collection on Sex and Gender contains a variety of books that focus on the intersection of religion and human sexuality. The function of religion is any service, role and effects of religion on human life. While some faiths might view sexuality as a taboo subject, or even as an abomination, other religions embrace and revere the human capacity for sexual expression. This is an idea with deep roots especially in America. Whether that change is good or bad would seem to require interpretative criteria not afforded by a social scientific paradigm for functional analysis. Dysfunction signifies the mechanism by which social change is evidenced within a social system. Religion performs welfare, education and recreation functions - Religious Organizations carry out or build ip some welfare activities and social programs, and they also operate charitable institution, hospitals, orphanages, medical clinics and etc. classifying religion as heritage – is, at the same time, a way of negotiating its attitude to its own history. Social scientists have analyzed religion in terms of what it does for the individual, community or society through its functions and dysfunctions. Religion is a social institution, because it includes beliefs and practices that serve the needs of society. Many of these social scientists are known to belong to the tradition of functionalist thought. Religion be when it helps in binding together members of a society. How religions contribute to the maintenance of social order. In particular, Durkheim thought of the close-knit interactions between families and small communities, groups of people who share a common religion, who may eat together, work together, and spend leisure time together. Religion has also been the source of conflicts between different types of religion such as Christian and Muslims. Religious people are at heightened risk of developing sexual disorders and feeling at a loss to deal with them or get help. Psychological and Social Functions of Religion. Functionalist Theory. They provide schools for the poor. Often these families rigidly adhere to a particular belief (religious, political, financial, personal). Religion, on the one hand, teaches that people are born sinners. Essay on the Dysfunctions of Religion – Religion as a basic social institution of human society has been fulfilling certain positive functions no doubt. Keywords: religion, secularization, universality, socioeconomics, societal dysfunction, successful societies scale It upholds traditionalism and impedes social changes by encouraging superstitions, traditions and customs. Formation of Collective Consciousness. This approach looks at society through a macro-level orientation, which is a broad focus on the social structures that shape society as a whole, and believes that society has evolved like organisms. However, some of the negative roles of religion hinders social and economic progress. As a belief system, religion shapes what people think and how they see the world. Whether that change is manifest or latent is a relatively simple empirical question. Theoretical perspective Major assumptions; Functionalism: Religion serves several functions for society. Religion is assumed to be a sociobehavioral factor similar to social support and education, factors that themselves are positively associated with several health benefits, including better cognitive functioning (Stephens, Kinney, Norris, & Ritchie, 1987; Weintraub, Powell, & Whitla, 1994). Data correlations show that in almost all regards the highly secular democracies consistently enjoy low rates of societal dysfunction, while pro-religious and anti- evolution America performs poorly. The study focuses on the prosperous democracies, because “levels of religious and nonreligious belief and practice, and indicators of societal health and dysfunction, have been most extensively and reliably surveyed” in them. But at the same time religion has many dysfunctions or performs many negative roles which destabilises and disintegrates societies in Ghana. The classification of religion as heritage is supported inexorably by the erosion of the organizational power of religion in social life. This is my second comment. Religion, gender, and sexuality. Most religious views on human sexuality are guided by sacred Critical theorists view religion as an institution that helps maintain patterns of social inequality. They help us confront and explain death. Functionalists argue that religion is a conservative force and that this is a positive function for society and for individuals. It is further claimed that the absence of religious belief will contribute strongly to social dysfunction. Religion is turning people against themselves The demands that religion places on people are unrealistic. According to Durkheim, the collective consciousness is formed through social interactions. A dysfunction for some people, is quite beneficial to others. Sociologists study religion as both a belief system and a social institution. Compliance with role expectations and with rules is expected without any flexibility. Its role in promoting social solidarity, as Durkheim has pointed out, and its need in providing inner individual peace and solace as Edward Sapir has pointed out cannot be undermined. lt is called dysfunctional when it promotes superstitious beliefs and ‘meaningless’ practices, (ii) A political machine is dysfunctional when it increases graft and corruption. As a social institution, religion is a pattern of social action organized around the beliefs and practices that people develop to answer questions about the meaning of existence. Religion hinders Social progress and impedes social changes: Religion makes people dogmatic and God-fearing. Dysfunctions of Religion For Europe, an act of commemoration – i.e. Finally, religion promotes social control: it reinforces social norms such as appropriate styles of dress, following the law, and regulating sexual behaviour. 5. This is demonstrated through such benefits as: religious organizations are not required to pay some taxes Why religion is so widespread amongst human societies? In the case of religious beliefs, there is typically a social payoff to these mental contortions – a range of evidence supports the role of religion in social bonding. Are these functions unique or some human resources can play the role of religion? Functionalism, conflict theory, and interactionism all provide valuable ways for sociologists to understand religion. Social structures have different consequences depending on what group is affected. Although the function of religion is a lot, in this paper we investigate the major functions of religion in personal and social life of human being by Holy Quran and sayings of Functions and Dysfunctions of Religion Religion is a universal part of many cultures and affects societies through its functions and dysfunctions. Social functions and dysfunctions of religion. They help relieve our fears and anxieties about the unknown. Religious beliefs and practices, and why they change. Religions fulfill psychological needs. Functionalists view religion in a positive way; they see religion to play the function of maintaining harmony and social cohesion. Popular nontheism is a similarly casual response to superior conditions. Firstly, religion offers a reason for life on earth, by explaining life after death, and giving its followers missions and motives for daily life. Those with the most dysfunction, such as Portugal and the U.S., are the most religious, as measured by self-professed belief, church attendance, habits of prayer, and the like. What this suggests is one of two options: Either religion leads to social dysfunction, or that dysfunctional people turn to religion for relief. Sin is what we are made of, and whatever we humans are doing is bound to be corrupted in one way or another. 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