Religion is an essential aspect of human culture. People who describe themselves as religious tend to have many benefits in their lives including a stronger support network, better health and greater optimism. They are also more likely to be involved in their communities and to engage in prosocial behavior. It is no wonder that studies show a consistent positive correlation between religiosity and well-being.
In the nineteenth century, three social scientists attempted to understand the relationship between religion and society. Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim and Max Weber all focused on the role of religion in societies that were changing from being rural to industrialized. Their ideas were influenced by the growth of ethnology, archaeology and anthropology, which provided new knowledge about religions in all parts of the world.
Some researchers believe that religion grew out of primitive tribal beliefs. Others argue that it is more a function of humans’ need to give meaning and purpose to their existence. It has also been seen as a way to create solidarity and reinforce the social order, teach moral behavior and help us cope with death.
In recent years scholars have discussed how to define religion. Some take a “monothetic” approach, believing that all instances of the term must have a defining property in common. Others, such as Paul Tillich, take a functional view, defining religion as whatever is most important in someone’s life, regardless of whether it involves belief in supernatural or unusual realities.