Whether you’re a believer or not, religion is an important part of many people’s lives. It provides people with a sense of purpose and helps them to stay connected with others, which can improve mental health.
The word Religion comes from the Latin religiosus, which means “reverent.” It is generally defined as human beings’ relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of especial reverence. It also consists of the way people deal with ultimate concerns about their lives and their fate after death.
Some of the most popular forms of religion are:
Religious beliefs and practices include statements, actions, and values. Beliefs are often expressed in a form that people can understand and remember; practices involve observable action and are usually highly structured. Values are not explicitly stated, but are implied by beliefs and practices and rank in order of importance with some values holding more weight than others.
Social Functions of Religion
Ideally, religion is a force that gives meaning and purpose to life, reinforces social unity and stability, and helps people learn how to control their behavior. It also strengthens social cohesion and helps people work together to solve problems.
Aside from those social functions, religion can provide physical and emotional benefits for individuals. These can range from reducing stress to improving health. Those who are non-religious can still enjoy the same benefits by engaging in healthy behaviors and building connections with others.