Religious Life of Planet Earth - Essay Example

Finally, in traditional ceremonies, people from Ghana in Africa were noted to consult with traditional priests who act as the link between people and their gods (Brahm, 2005). This indicates the existence of some religion that makes people believe that these priests represented them before a higher power. The place of religion among the societies in the Earth would be said to be complex, fitting into social organisation as a whole and dominantly functioning in each of its part. Religion plays a critical role in fulfilling psychological needs.

It helps human beings confront death and explain it. It relieves them of anxieties and fears of the unknown. During life’s crises such during serious illness, humans would turn to religion to ease their stress. It guides humans in making life’s decision, making them know what to do and at what time, thus providing the much needed psychological relief. Religion also serves to fulfil the social needs of human beings. It reinforces group norms hence bringing about social homogeneity. This uniformity of belief plays a critical role in reinforcing group identity and binding people together.

Hamilton (2010) further notes that religion sacralises norms and by promoting group goals, it makes social order legitimate. It plays a major role in giving identity. Finally, the social control function of religion has been appreciated, defining what would be considered as wrong or right. Rightful actions earn approval from gods while wrongful actions could cause supernatural retribution. For example, Quran, the sacred text of Islam provides a list of crimes which if committed would lead to punishment and describes mundane tasks such the specific foods to eat.

Nonetheless, there have been other. The place of religion among the societies in the Earth would be said to be complex, fitting into the social organization as a whole and dominantly functioning in each of its parts. Religion plays a critical role in fulfilling psychological needs. It helps human beings confront death and explain it. It relieves them of anxieties and fears of the unknown. During life’s crises such during serious illness, humans would turn to religion to ease their stress.

It guides humans in making life’s decision, making them know what to do and at what time, thus providing the much needed psychological relief. Religion also serves to fulfill the social needs of human beings. It reinforces group norms hence bringing about social homogeneity. This uniformity of belief plays a critical role in reinforcing group identity and binding people together. Hamilton (2010) further notes that religion sacralizes norms and by promoting group goals, it makes social order legitimate.

It plays a major role in giving identity. Finally, the social control function of religion has been appreciated, defining what would be considered as wrong or right. Rightful actions earn approval from gods while wrongful actions could cause supernatural retribution. For example, Quran, the sacred text of Islam provides a list of crimes which if committed would lead to punishment and describes mundane tasks such the specific foods to eat.Nonetheless, there have been other interpretations of religion that goes against the functionalist approach.