Religion

Religion as a Social Institution 

     Religion is a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance to show praise or worship towards (Encyclopedia). There are many religions throughout the world. Atheism, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Mormonism and Judaism are just a few. Atheists are people who believe that god or gods are man-made constructs, they do not believe in a particular god. Buddhism is a way of living based on the teaching of Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Buddha.  Hinduism is a group of faiths rooted in the religious ideas of India. Islam revealed in its final form by the Prophet Muhammad. Mormonism is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Judaism is based around the Jewish people's covenant relationship with God. Finally, Christianity is the world's biggest faith, and is based on the teaching of Jesus Christ.
     Religion as a social institution deals with the concerns about life after death, the meaning of suffering and loss, and the desire to connect with the Creator (Henslin). These are the basic needs that are filled with religion, because a social institution is a response to a basic need. Everyone understands that we had to come from somewhere and each religion as a specific variation from where we came from. Everyone knows that we live and then die but then what? Religion helps answer that question by reincarnation, nothing, or spend eternity in heaven. Without a purpose given to us by a Creator we would find this life pointless and be asking ourselves why get out of bed? Each religion has their own way of defining our purpose and when we choose a religion we have a feeling of satisfaction at the end of the day instead of disappointment. Religion also has its own way of explaining why people go through trials and tribulations. Some believe it's punishment for morally bad decisions, others believe it is a test put before them by their Creator.
     Each religion has groups of worships or organized places or buildings for praise. The congregation, synagogue, mosque, denomination, charity, clergy, are a few examples of groups of people or a building in which a religious service of worship is conducted. Different religions have a hierarchy of power, some including a priest, minister, pastor, rabbi, imam, teacher, disciple, missionary, or prophet. Most religions have worship services to attend where they honor God or gods and the holy texts such as the Torah, the Bible, and the Qur'an (Henslin). Religion helps define status and provides people with a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
   

Works Cited

"Encyclopedia Britannica Company." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015

Henslin, James M. "Chapter 4: Social Structure and Social Interactions."Sociology:A Down-to-Earth              Approach: Pearson New International Edition Harlow: Pearson Education Limited, 2014. 93 123. Print