Religion and Spirituality Reflection

RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY REFLECTION
Human beings live under a kind of illusion about time. I think that, along history,
mankind has constantly repeated the same sentence “we live in an unprecedented
historical moment”. But I wonder, if all times have been unprecedented, does the Bible
fail in Ecclesiastes, when it teaches us that there is nothing new under the Sun?
The truth is that this time is our time, for better or for worse. No one from the past or the
future will live it for us. To live in the present time, we need to understand this question:
How is our world when it comes to religion?
As religion so its institutions also play an important role in social life. None can deny the
fact that the different kinds of social institutions such as, domestic, economic and
political influence on religious institutions. But it is also true that these institutions are
sometimes influenced by religious institutions. An important aspect of religion is prayer
and different classes of people belonging to different castes of society assemble I
religious institutions for performing prayer and worship. By these activities there forms
common feelings which thereby further generate a common sentiments and fellowship
amongst the worshipers of a particular religion. Sometimes it is found that the members
of a particular religion unite together, and for the greater interest of the society they
perform different humanitarian activities. It is evident from the above that religious
institutions perform not only their religious activities, they also discharge different types
of activities related to social welfare such as, charitable hospitals, schools, homes for
the homeless. These institutions also run orphanages and collect money for the poor
people.
It cannot be denied that religion has an external form of social control. The different
activities of the people and their different spheres of social life are still influenced by
religious rites and ceremonies. People generally express their religious feelings through
rituals and ceremonies. It is also true that almost all the aspects of lives of primitive
people were covered by religious practices, although these were crude in nature and did
not have any precise organization. We find that there are different important occasions
in our social life such as, birth, marriage, harvesting, hunting, death etc. and in all these
activities religious rites were performed in primitive societies. By doing these activities
there developed a common feeling s and actions which are very much other than
religious functions. Not only in primitive societies but also in modern societies religious
activities occupy an important place. The different occasions of social life, such as birth,
death, marriage etc. religious rites are performed. Similar activities are found in the
events related with economic life also. Moreover, it is found that, in almost all
communities religious rites are common practices during various occasions in social life
such as, inauguration of a new building, oath taking etc. From the above description of
the role of religion in social life, it is evident that a regular order of procedure is
developed by religion in society and thus it helps to control the society.
Religion helps to shape the character of an individual and thereby it molds social life. It
brings forth the sense of social value in the mind of people. In obeying the social laws or
to respect the elders and to show sympathy towards the feelings of others, or to
discharge the social obligations faithfully, the role of religion is immense. In those cases,
it acts as a teacher. Not only this, a sense of fellow feeling amongst the people
belonging to different communities is also taught by religion. Moreover, religion teaches

that the man’s love and services to God will be real only if he loves and serves
humanity. In developing moral consciousness amongst people, religion acts as an
inspiring factor. Religion enforces uniformity of behavior and it strengthens social
solidarity and thereby acts as an instrument in stabilizing social order.
In primitive age the influence of religion was very great in controlling society and this
feature is not totally lost even today. Social life of primitive people was controlled by
inspiring God-fear in their minds but in modern age people are inspired not by fear but
by the hope for the attainment of virtuous and noble life. Thus, by fostering patriotic
sentiments in men, religion helps to maintain social integration. Religion not only
guarantees values but it also gives meaning to life. Moreover, the confidence to go on
adventures is also inculcated in our mind by religion. Thus, narrating the role of religion,
he says, “Religion is the discipline which touches the conscience and helps us to
struggle with evil and sordidness, saves us from greed, lust and hatred, releases moral
power and imparts courage in the enterprise of saving the world”.
People live in the third world countries such as, India, Africa, Brazil etc. derive their
sense of life from religion and as such religion is very important to them. They get the
answers of many questions that appear in their minds. The questions such as, who we
are? What is the purpose of life? What is life and what is death? Is there anything after
this life? - are very common for human being and they are curious to have answers of
these questions. But in the third world countries science is not so developed to answer
these questions. Thus, it is religion from which they seek to get answers of these
questions.
From the above discussion we can summarize the importance of religion in
society and in our daily lives.
1. People get mental peace from religion.
2. Religion explains the causes and remedies of individual sufferings and
as such it consoles people in their junctures.
3. The important function that religion performs is that it inculcates social
virtues in people like truth, honesty,
love, discipline etc.
4. Religion works as an instrument in converting animal qualities to human
quality.
5. Religious education teaches people for promoting social welfare.
6. Religious rites and festivals are means of recreations.
7. Religion creates values amongst people and as such it is the source of
social cohesion.
8. Religion is an important instrument for promotion social solidarity.
9. Religious institutions help in controlling the behaviour of the individual.
10. Religion works as an instrument of influencing political system.

11. In economic field religion works as an instrument of influence.
12. Religion works as an effective means in strengthening self-confidence
of people.

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RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY REFLECTION

How is our world when it comes to religion?

sometimes influenced by religious institutions. An important aspect of religion is prayer

and different classes of people belonging to different castes of society assemble I

developed by religion in society and thus it helps to control the society.

belonging to different communities is also taught by religion. Moreover, religion teaches

humanity. In developing moral consciousness amongst people, religion acts as an

inspiring factor. Religion enforces uniformity of behavior and it strengthens social

solidarity and thereby acts as an instrument in stabilizing social order.

power and imparts courage in the enterprise of saving the world”.

society and in our daily lives.

1. People get mental peace from religion.

2. Religion explains the causes and remedies of individual sufferings and

as such it consoles people in their junctures.

3. The important function that religion performs is that it inculcates social

virtues in people like truth, honesty,

love, discipline etc.

4. Religion works as an instrument in converting animal qualities to human

5. Religious education teaches people for promoting social welfare.

6. Religious rites and festivals are means of recreations.

7. Religion creates values amongst people and as such it is the source of

8. Religion is an important instrument for promotion social solidarity.

9. Religious institutions help in controlling the behaviour of the individual.

10. Religion works as an instrument of influencing political system.

12. Religion works as an effective means in strengthening self-confidence

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