Religion as a Strong Force in Contemporary Society - Literature review Example

Religion Persists Name Course Lecture Date Introduction Secularization theorist posits that the level of religiosity will go down as society modernizes. Famous philosopher like Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, Sigmund Freud and Max Weber were in agreement on this point (Spilka et al 2003). They predicted that people would become more rational and modernized and start to abandon the mythical explanations of the world provided by religion. According to Dawkins (2006) religion is “an aberrant meme and a delusion” in human society that will disappear as people become better informed and educated. However, religion remains a major force in the contemporary world with some countries based on purely religious foundations. The advances at science have done little to chip away at the number of people who believe in supernatural beings. In the 19th century intellects painted a picture of a future where religion would play a peripheral role in society. They widely quoted improvements in health, science and economic wellbeing as factors that would reduce man’s reliance on religious dogmas. Today, technology is part and parcel of everyday life and science has discredited many religious myths and scared dogma. However, religion remains stronger and in some cases believers are growing. This essay points out the faults in the secularization argument that religion is fading to show religion is still a strong force in contemporary society. The paper starts by analyzing the views of secularization scholars on the receding role of religion in society. Secondly, it presents the important social utility of religion in modern society. Thirdly, it introduces the important role of religion in determining individual identity. Moreover, it shows that the modernization of some nation in the Islamic world has gone hand with hand with increased religious beliefs. Finally, the paper concludes that religion is still a powerful force in the current society. Secularist theorists views of religion In his book, The God Delusion world famous Secularist theorist, Richard Dawkins say he looks forward “to the death of organized religion during his lifetime” (Dawkins 2006). Dawkins (2006) argues that religion is based on some irrational beliefs that people will soon realize are untrue and thus abandon them. Another secularist author Nigel barber has predicted that only a small minority of the world’s population will be still religious by the year 2014 (Barber 2014). He argues that rising financial security across the world will lead to the demise of religion. He presents data that show the wealthiest states in the world are the least religious. Barber (2014) claims that higher national income leading to higher quality life, a better educated population, better health and more equitable distribution of resources will lead to the demise of religion. In his view nations like Japan and Sweden where people enjoy a higher quality life are largely secular. Despite these predictions religion has remained strong and some scholars are predicting its revival in the developed world. The social role of Religion Durkheim (1995) argues that religion has many social functions that make it almost indispensible to society. First, religion plays large role in the education of society especially on the moral aspect which is largely religion based. Secondly, religion serves to revitalize and cement social bonds, this example is clearly illustrated by religious holidays that bring families together for bonding (Durkheim 1995). Throughout history, religions have acted as agents of wealth redistribution on the basis of need. In times of disaster religious building provide shelter and food to those affected. Furthermore, religion provides the standard for moral conduct in contemporary society. Although, there have been many religious wars that discredit the moral integrity of many religions they continue to set moral standards in contemporary society (Spilka et al 2003). Even today religious intolerance remains a dark spot on religion’s role as the main determinant of moral standards. Durant and Durant (1968) wrote that religion is almost indispensible in everyday life as it functions to maintain moral life. In the views of Durant, religion is an important reference point for moral conduct and in its absence morality would not have a foundation (Durant and Durant 1968). Even the critics of religion like Micheal Shermer agree that religion has many positive impacts and is critical to the functioning of society (Shermer 2000). The charitable acts of religious groups also make religion attractive to believers. According to Dennett (2006), many acts of personal kindness by religious people go unnoticed in everyday life. Most religions stress the need for people to care for their fellow human beings. Religious groups are involved in charitable initiatives around the world that promote the wellbeing of humanity. According to Lindsay (2012), the most religious states in the US are also the largest participants in funding charitable activities. Mississippi, Utah, Tennessee, Alabama and South Carolina are the most religious state and still the most charitable. In contrast, states where religious participation is low the rate of charitable giving is considerably lower. Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampsire and Maine report lower levels of participation in charitable giving (Lindsay 2012). Religion and Identity According to Thompson (1995), the role of religion in an individual life have been largely ignored. In his view the impact of religion on individual identity is undeniable. Religious remains crucial in the formation of the self-concept. Religion is a platform for social cohesion as it promotes group identity with those within the religious group more closely related. People in the same religious group form a deep sense of unity and are deeply concerned about each others welfare (Durkheim 1995). Religion provides people with a sense of identity which every person craves. Religion plays a great role in determining the identity of people from an early. It sets the norms and principle that individuals follows throuoghout their lives. Religion and Politics The promotion of religion by the state is also a large contributing factor to the persistence of religion. As noted, by Napoleon, religion is a tool for social control that prevents the poor from killing the rich (Durant and Durant 1968). Durkheim (1995) posits that the state’s use of religion as a powerful tool of social control explains the persistence of religion more than any other factor. The state knows people fear hell and damnation a factor it leverages to exert control over the masses. However, Dawkins (2006) rebuts this point by pointing out that some religions do not promise suffering and hell for sins committed. According to Dawkins (2006) suffering and damnation are concepts that are mainly found in Christianity and Islam. However, most religions still call for virtuous life on earth so that somebody might get some kind of reward in later life (Spilka et al 2003). History shows the relationship between the religion and the State as one that enables the state gain greater control over the masses. Durant and Durant (1968) extend the idea that religion is a tool for social control by advancing several arguments. He posits that religion forces people to accept their social status by promoting the idea that people are not equal. Those with lesser talent accept their fate in poverty and defeat and wait for the supernatural force to change their conditions for better. Without this reliance on a supernatural being the poor would cause civil strife by stealing and killing the rich. Religion can also be a tool that enables people to challenge political oppression and immorality. The history of the world is full of religious figures and religious groups that have led rebellions against the totalitarian control of the state (Maddox 2012). Religious leaders are led by their moral conviction and on occasions these has led them to confront the power of the state. By doing these they create the perception among believers that they are defending the people from state oppression. Modernization in Islam world Despite the Islam world becoming more modernized secularization has not taken roots in this society. In Islamic nations like Indonesia, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Sharia law continues to apply to this day (Mabry 1998). These nations may be considered some of the most modernized societies in the world. Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates boasts of the tallest building in the world and other architectural marvels of the world. It is also one of the commerce and tourist capitals in the world. However, the society still remains deeply religious, for example women are required to wear veils when they are in a public place. Surprisingly, urban women who are more modernized show a stricter adherence to the requirement of wearing a veil (Zubaida 2005). The Islam world remains male dominated as Islam calls for women to be submissive. It allows men to commit “honor killings” if they find they wife committing adultery, polygamy is allowed and men are the only ones allowed to start divorce proceedings against their spouses (Zubaida 2005). The revival of religion in Russia Interestingly, suppression of religion only leads to its vibrancy after the period of persecution ends. For several years, Islam has been the fastest growing religion despite its association with terrorism. Durant and Durant (1968) predicted that the end of communism in Russia would lead to resurgence in religion. Durant’s predictions have come to pass and religion is now more widespread in Russia than before the communist period. Indeed, the Russian state recognizes theological degrees offered in religious institutions (Marsh 2011). Religion ability to adapt to technology is also one of the factors that explain its persistence. Religions are using the advances in information technology to communicate with their followers more easily (Kong 2001). Religious contents are now available on the internet for free while followers can access preaching through social media. Furthermore, religious scriptures are now widely available in electronic forms and people no longer have to carry voluminous scripture books. Conclusion This paper offers several explanations why religion remains strong in contemporary society despite predictions that is would end. The social utility of religion is one of strongest arguments why people have stuck to religion despite predictions to the contrary. Religion provides people with a sense of identity and thus they would not know who they are in the absence of religion. The most effective explanation of the persistence of religion may be its promotion by the state. As early as Napoleonic times, political leaders had recognized the powers of religion as a tool of social tool. Since states know that religious people refrain from wrongdoing to avoid punishment and damnation they promote religion to maintain power over the masses. However, religious power is also used to challenge misuse of power by the state therefore increasing its appeal to followers who start to view religion as defender of their rights. In conclusion, religious is a powerful forces that remain firmly etched in the human mind that is unlikely to fade. Therefore, the secularization theorists’ prediction that religion will fade have been discredited. References Barber, N 2010, Why Atheism Will Replace Religion, Amazon Digital Services, Inc, New York Cochran, JK, Chamlin, MB, Beeghley, L, & Fenwick, M 2004, Religion, religiosity, and nonmarital sexual conduct: An application of reference group theory, Sociological Inquiry, vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 70-101. Dawkins, R 2006, The God Delusion, Houghton Mifflin, New York, 2006. Dennett, DC 2006, Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon, Penguin Books, New York. Durant, W & Durant, A 1968, The Lessons of History, Simon and Schuster, New York, 1968 Durkheim, E 1995, The elementary forms of religious life, Free Press, New York. Eliade, M 1971, The Myth of the Eternal Return, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 1971. Kong, L 2001, Religion and technology: Refiguring place, space, identity and community, Area, vol. 33, no. 4, pp. 404-413. 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