INTRODUCTION

Sociology is the study of the society; it is a scientific study of social facts

Sociology according to Max Weber, is a science that attempts an explanatory
understanding of social action so as to institute cause and effect relationship. According
to Weber, human behaviour does not occur in a vacuum; it occurs within a particular
social situation. Therefore there is the need to understand the motive behind such human
behaviour or social action. e argues therefore that it is the responsibility of sociologists
to understand and explain motives behind certain social action. Sociology etymologically
is derived from a lexical con!unction of two words; "atin and #ree$ words. The "atin
word %socius&, meaning society and the #ree$ word logos meaning science or study.
Sociology then means the scientific study of the society.
'eligion is any belief system that appropriates the existence of #od; it is an
institutionali(ed or personal system of belief and practices relating to the divine. )t is a
sacred engagement with that which is believed to be a spiritual reality. 'eligion is a
worldwide phenomenon that has played a part in all human culture and so is a much
broader, more complex category than the set of beliefs or practices found in any single
religious tradition. The word religion etymologically is derived from the "atin noun
religio, which denotes both earnest observance of ritual obligations and an inward spirit
of reverence.
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*y defining religion as a sacred engagement with what is ta$en to be a spiritual
reality, it is possible to consider the importance of religion in human life without ma$ing
claims about what it really is or ought to be. 'eligion is not an ob!ect with a single, fixed
meaning, or even a (one with clear boundaries. )t is an aspect of human experience that
may intersect, incorporate, or transcend other aspects of life and society.
2

+ Paden, William E. "Religion." Microsoft Encarta 2009 [DVD. Redmond, W!" Microsoft
#or$oration, 200%.
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,ot all religions share the same set of beliefs, but in one form or another, religion
is found in all $nown human societies. Throughout history, religion has continued to be a
central part of societies and human experience, shaping how individuals react to the
environments in which they live. Since religion is such an important part of societies
around the world, sociologists are very interested in studying it.
The concept of religion is based on an idea of reality which goes bac$ to the
beginnings of human$ind and provides an explanation for the existence of itself as well
as the world surrounding it. Since the beginning of history, the idea of religion has
manifested itself in diverse forms, across human societies
'
. 'eligion is found in all
$nown human societies, religion has continued to be a central part of societies and human
experience, shaping how individuals react to the environments in which they live.
Sociologists study religion as both a belief system and a social institution. As a
belief system, religion shapes what people thin$ and how they view the world. As a social
institution, religion is a pattern of social action structured around the beliefs and practices
that people develop to answer -uestions about the meaning of existence. As an institution,
religion persists over time and has an organi(ational structure into which members are
sociali(ed
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'eligion is a ma!or social institution based on distinguishing the sacred from the
profane. 'eligion is a matter of faith, not scientific evidence, which people express
through various rituals. Sociology analyses the social conse-uences and correlates of
religion, but no scientific research can ma$e claims about the ultimate truth or falsity of
any religious belief. This is basically left for sociologists to decide because religion as an
institution is social in orientation and by nature. )n other words, religion is a social
institution.
' )eorge Rit*er +ed,. Blackwell encyclopedia of Sociology. -lac./ell $0&lis1ing 2imited. 2003.
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)n the light of the above, sociology of religion is the study of the interplay
between religion and the society. )t is the study of religion and its impact in the society; it
studies the role of religion in the society, how religion affects the society and how the
society affects religion. Sociology of religion underscores the relationship between
religion and the society. Sociology of religion is the study of how religion forms the basis
of interactions ta$ing place in society. )t could also be defined as the study of how
religion underlines social functions. )t studies every aspects of society from the
perspective of religion because all aspects of society have a religious dimension.
Although religion is often seen as having metaphysical, spiritual, transcendental nature, it
nevertheless has a social dimension. 'eligion is therefore a social phenomenon. There is
a religious dimension to every social event. .ifferent religious beliefs and practices
emerge in different social and historical contexts because context frames the meaning of
religious belief.
'eligion is a ma!or social institution based on distinguishing the sacred from the
profane. 'eligion is a matter of faith, not scientific evidence, which people express
through various rituals. Sociology analyses the social conse-uences and correlates of
religion, but no scientific research can ma$e claims about the ultimate truth or falsity of
any religious belief. This is basically left for sociologists to decide because religion as an
institution is social in orientation and by nature. )n other words, religion is a social
institution.

The essence of the sociological approach is to view religion as a social phenomenon,
on the same plane as $inship, economics and politics, and to interpret and explain
religious beliefs and practices by relating them to other social phenomena and to the
structure of society as a whole.
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Sociology of religion is the study of the beliefs, practices and organi(ational
forms of religion using the tools and methods of the discipline of sociology. This
ob!ective investigation may include the use of both -uantitative methods /surveys, polls,
demographic and census analysis0 and -ualitative approaches such as participant
observation, interviewing, and analysis of archival, historical and documentary
materials.
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Sociology of religion is distinguished from the philosophy of religion in that it
does not set out to assess the validity of religious beliefs. The process of comparing
multiple conflicting dogmas may re-uire what 1eter ". *erger has described as inherent
2methodological atheism2.
3
The sociology of religion is concerned with the multiplicity of ways in which
religion is part of human society and thus it focuses on its institutional, cultural, and
individual expression across varying social, geographical, and historical contexts.
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A
common typology is to distinguish between substantive and functional methods to
studying religion. The former is concerned with the symbolic contents or meanings
contained within a religious worldview and the latter with religion&s purposes or
functions in society.
The directions ta$en by the sociology of religion reflect both the intellectual
context in which the discipline of sociology itself emerged, as well as differences in the
general contexts in which sociologists have studied religion. )n studying religion from a
sociological perspective, it is not important what one believes about religion. What is
important is the ability to examine religion ob!ectively in its social and cultural context.
THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN THE SOCIETY AND RELIGION
3 1tt$"441irr.1artsem.ed04sociolog54a&o0t6t1e6field.1tml
3 -erger, Peter 2. The Sacred Canopy: Elements of a Sociological Theory of Religion +19<3,.
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Many people believe that religion occurs only in the church, temple, or other
spiritual places of gathering. They see religion and society as complete, separate entities.
While this view may appear correct on the surface, a closer loo$ at religion and society
reveals that the two are not separate at all, but intricately interconnected and
codependent.
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4irst one needs to $now that there is a mutual relationship between religion
and the society. The society influences religious activities and religion implements and
imbibes societal values and norms.
)n reality, religion is inherent within many aspects of society, and religious
beliefs inevitably affect areas such as politics, economics, and cultural values. This
relationship between religion and society can be seen in )slamic religion and Muslim
social culture, 5hristianity and economics, and *uddhism and politics. )n each of these
religions we can find insight for understanding the society in which it exists, as well as in
the comparison of these religions and their relationships with society.
)n addition to influencing culture, religion can also have a profound effect on
economic changes. )n 5hristianity, the 5atholic 5hurch provides an example of a religion
that has been institutionali(ed and become a powerful economic force. 6arly on, the
5atholic 5hurch in 'ome had a great deal of wealth, which it used to assist other
5hristian communities during times of hardship. The 5atholic 5hurch became even more
influential later on, around the time of the 'eformation. After its excommunication with
the 6astern 7rthodox 5hurch in the middle ages, it began to develop independently from
the state.
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'eligions generally promote ethical, law8abiding behaviour in their adherents, it
bring creative diversity. 'eligious adherents strive to obey the law and respect the
9 =icole #omforto. Religion: A Study of Society. )rade 12 !nnie Wrig1t :c1ool >acoma,
Was1ington.
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authority of the state. 'eligion thereby fosters :moral self8government;.
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'eligion and
its underlying beliefs have an extremely profound effect on the society in which it is
established. The way a society, as a whole, treats certain situations, ob!ects or institutions
is directly related to the belief system associated with the religion followed in that area.
ow people treat the environment is correlated with their belief system, which deals with
how a person relates to the world and everything else surrounding them. The way humans
thin$ of themselves, in relation to the world, stems from religious beliefs and if further
explored, these ideas would be found to be the cause of their treatment of nature.
The differences between religions would account for the different degrees of
societal issues facing various parts of the world because of the distribution of religions.
7rgani(ed religion has had an abundant amount of effects on society in the past and
today. The first that came to my mind was nationalism. What ) mean by nationalism is
common factors that unite a nation. These factors include language, traditions, holidays,
race, and religion.
THE EFFECTS OF SOCIETY ON RELIGION
The society as a body or as a setup affects religion in so many ways. 'eligion is
part and parcel of the society; religion cannot exist without the society, though the society
can exist without religion. Within different religious sphere, one can easily spot the
society. The societal setup ma$es it possible and conducive for the existence of different
religion and their respective movements. 4or an example, if the society has not brought
the different people of different families and bac$ground under an umbrella to be referred
as a group, it would not have been easy if not impossible for religion to gather the people
together. )n other words, the society at the first instant of existence, brought different
++ Winnifred ?allers :0lli@an, Paying the Words Etra: Religious !iscourse in the Supreme
Court of the "nited States# +#am&ridge" 199(,, at 1<'.
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peoples together and unite them under elements of culture, norms and beliefs, thereby
ma$ing it easier for religion to come and group the peoples according to their belief with
the supreme being; 5hristians believe in #od, Muslims believe in Allah, pagans believe
in deities etc.
The rules of the society with regards to the different norms and values of
different cultures e-ually affects or plays a role in the way people believe or worship in
religions. 4or an example, using our local communities as a point of reference, for the
sa$e of security consciousness, it is made as a rule that people should not be outside their
home after ten o&cloc$ in the night. As a result of this societal rule, some religious
practices which are normally supposed to be beyond ten o&cloc$ would be shifted or
scheduled in a way that it will not collide or go against the societal rule of restricting
movements beyond ten o&cloc$.
Still on the matter of societal effects on religion, it is clear and obvious that the
society affects religion in so many ways. The societal culture and values e-ually affects
people&s response to religious activities. 4or instance, in a society where men are not
allowed to come in contact with women especially those that are not their wives,
commonly practices in the northern part of our country ,igeria, it then re-uires that the
religion that is prevalent in the societies over there in the north to ma$e an arrangement in
other to conduct services separately for the men and women so that the culture and value
of that particular society will not be tampered with or disregarded.
The society as an environment ma$es it possible for religion, religious activities to
flourish in it. The society as already establish, gives room for other organi(ations,
especially religious practices to be established. The society ma$es the atmosphere
conducive for religious practices to be carried out; it creates an avenue for human
relationship with others within the environment.
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THE ASSETS AND THE EFFECTS OF RELIGION TO ENVIRONMENTAL
CHANGE
The notion that religions might be influential enough to help shift whole
societies in more environmentally benign and sustainable directions might seem fanciful.
*ut, religions can bring considerable resources to such an effort; it creates a creative
diversity. 1roviding people with a sense of meaning and purpose is arguably one of the
most powerful but least appreciated assets of religion. A sense of purpose can unify entire
societies around national goals. 'itual communication has a special place in the
movement to create sustainable societies because it has long had the effect of protecting
the natural environment. 5ultural ecologist 6. ,. Anderson observed that among
indigenous societies that have managed resources well for sustained periods, the credit
often goes to :religious or ritual representation of resource management;. *eyond the
capacity to provide meaning, religions carry moral capital in their ability to pro!ect moral
authority. While not omnipotent in imposing their views, religious leader often have the
ear of their congregations, and ma!or leaders such as the 6mir of <ano, Sultan of So$oto,
Archbishops, the 6cumenical 1atriarch etc.
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,oting the limitations of the moral authority of religious leaders on some issues
should not be ta$en as an argument for its general irrelevance, as the effectiveness of
religious authority on issues such as the death penalty or gay marriage attests. 5onsistent
religious leadership, particularly when combined with broader factors that reinforce its
direction, can move public opinion.
Although religion has sometimes fueled revolution, it has often been a factor for
social integration; it has secured social order by ma$ing the orders sacred. Sometimes
religion serves to codify social identity, at other times it emerges as destructive practices
for the individual, for population groups, and for society at large. 'eligious action is also
shaped by its situational environment. An example is the *o$o aram sect of ,igeria=
12 )ardner, )ar5 >. $nspiring Progress: Religions% Contri&utions to Sustaina&le !e'elopment.
=e/ Aor." W. W. =orton B #om$an5. 200<.
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this group of so to say religious terrorists $idnapped a group of >?3 girls in a ,orthern
#overnment secondary school in ,igeria. This type of religion is also one of the largest
and well8$nown causes for war and destruction. 4or one group of people to try and force
everyone to believe the same ideas and reasoning as him or herself is preposterous@ We
are individuals and deserve the choice of what to believe in.
'eligion affects the society in different ways both on the negative and the
positive aspect of life. 1ositively, religion increases the economy of a nation state.
Ma$ing references to our country ,igeria, religion especially the 5hristian religion has
always helped in enhancing the economy of states and the nation at large; especially
during the festive periods li$e 5hristmas, 6aster, ,ew Aear celebrations. .uring the
festive periods, goods increases in the labour mar$et and many people are out there
willing to buy on a considerable rate, irrespective of the fact that there are inflation some
times. The penetration of religious values into the economy significantly influences the
course of economic development.
Still on the positive aspect of religious effects on the society, religion influences
many societal obligations li$e morality, sanity, royalty to leaders, payment of tas$,
observance of rules and governmental laws, and to some extent religion enforces law and
helps in the implementation of laws. A classic example is the wor$ and influence of
religion in the payment of tas$, in bill boards we can see religious leader, *ishops,
1astors etc. advocating for the payment of tas$s. 'eligion plays many roles in social
development. 'eligion has been used as a tool to maintain political dominance.
7ne of the ma!or effects of organi(ed religion has had on society is it brings
about a set of rules and patterns that people follow from day to day. Another effect of
religion on society is that it brings a level of organi(ation and unity in a large population
where they bring about a common goal. 'eligion, however, is now becoming a more
personal and interpretation of higher beliefs, rather than merely a set of guidelines
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brought about by its leaders. Many citi(ens believe on the government of the society
because of the religious orientations they have.

'eligion has several effects on society which include bring the idea or notion
of dividing people between us and them. 'eligion has also encouraged people to believe
in a divine intervention and has brought about the tool of suppression. )t has further
affected the society by causing people to have an attitude that reinforces the belief in a
deity. 'eligion fosters interpersonal relationship because most religions denounces malice
$eeping, peace is always to be maintained.
At both the societal and individual level, religion also has another considerable
conse-uence. *ecause it depends on a belief in the divine, it encourages a belief in
divine intervention. )t is somehow thought that prayer to the divinity will change the
course of events. )n that respect it is a substitute for action and decision. Sometimes
prayer can be used to gain personal fortitude to resist fear, which can be beneficial on
occasions. owever, the use of prayer can also ta$e the form of wishing ill to others,
effectively acting as a curse. )t is thought that the divinity will vent anger on those who
are !udged to be oppressors or sinners. This is a short step from believing that the cause
!ustifies evil in the name of the divinity.
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'eligion can also be used as a tool of
suppression. )t is easy to maintain order and nullify dissent by citing religious grounds.
)t is often used to pour scorn on those who do not believe, so that when individuals
-uestion the right to govern, the right to interpret religion or the existence of the deity,
indignant repugnance is generated in those who are in a position to impose censorship.
Secular laws are believed to be made with religious principles underpinning them; it is
easy for the !udiciary to fall into the trap of condemning individuals to cruelty and
inhumanity in the belief that it is ethical to do so.

1' 2 D Co/e :erco !ss0rance, #0l1am :cience #entre, !&ingdon D7on, DE1( 'ED, FG. 1999.
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'eligion has had positive and negative effects on society. The needy and poor
get help in areas that are plagued by famine and poverty, where no else one would help.
7n the other hand, war and conflicts are waged in the name of religion. Many religions
promote evangelism though activism and donation of time, money, food and other
tangible items, in the form of missions.
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'eligion affects the society economically. The economy of those selling
contraceptives and the medical professionals who carry out abortion has been deeply
affected by religion in the sense that many religions denounce abortion of babies.
:The involvement of religion in the abortion debate during the
nineteenth and the first half of the twentieth centuries, while
significant, do not appear to have been as great or as strident as
more recently. Much of the oppositions to abortion by the
1rotestants were either primarily expressing concern about the
immortal behaviour that produced an unmarried woman&s
pregnancy, which in turn created an interest in abortion as a
solution, or concerned with the high death rate among women
receiving abortions. Among 'oman 5atholics it was not so much
that abortion was wrong because it ended human life /that of the
fetus0 and could even be considered murder as one would hear
today, but more than abortion was an artificial method of birth
control and interfered with the true purpose of one&s sexuality
and sexual activity, namely, procreation. Thus contraception of
any $ind, including abortion and even masturbation, was
forbidden by the catholic church.;
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18 Ronald 2. ;o1nstone. Religion in society# a sociology of religion. :i7t1 edition. F$$er :addle
Ri@er, =e/ ;erse5, 1938. P 1(2.
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'eligion e-ually helps to curb fraud in our society today; it stops some activities
li$e gambling. #ambling refers to wagering money or other belongings on chance
activities or events with random or uncertain outcomes /.evereux +9?90. *y its very
nature, gambling involves a voluntary, deliberate assumption of ris$, often with a
negative expectable value. Traditionally, heavy gamblers who sustained repeated losses
and other adverse conse-uences were considered derelict, immoral, or criminal. 4or much
of the twentieth century, the prevailing view of excessive gambling continued to define
that behavior as morally and legally reprehensible.
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'eligion has helped the society to overcome many social problems confronting
the environment. The issue of ganging in the society is reducing or being reduced because
of religious effects to the youth of the society through the religious doctrines of different
denominations= gangs shows the images of young minority males, outfitted in hip hop
clothing, hanging out on street corners in impoverished urban communities, and engaging
in unlawful acts.
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)n the negative part of religious effect on the society, religion e-ually affects
gender classification in the society in the sense that most religions do not ta$e the female
gender to cogni(ance. The woman is always made to be submissive to the man. 4or
example, in 5orinthians ++=?89, it says :for man was not made from woman, but woman
from man. ,either was man created for woman, but woman for man. This issue has more
or less negative impacts in the society, it brings gender ine-ualities. )t can also lead to
gender oppression. #ender oppression is defined as oppression associated with the gender
norms, relations, and stratification of a given society. Modern norms of gender in western
societies consist of the dichotomous, mutually exclusive categories of masculinity and
1< )eorge Rit*er +ed., The Blackwell encyclopedia of sociology( 20cia :c1midt. )am&ling as a
social pro&lem( Enc5clo$edia of sociolog5. -lac./ell $0&lis1ing 2td. 2003. P 19(2
13)eorge Rit*er +ed., The Blackwell encyclopedia of sociology. Rod G. -r0nson. )angs#
delin*uent. Enc5clo$edia of sociolog5. -lac./ell $0&lis1ing 2td. 2003. P 1980.
12
femininity. 4emininity is associated with a domestic sphere while masculinity is
associated with a public sphere.
'eligion promotes social ine-ualities. 'eligious ideals support both hierarchy and
motivate people to see$ greater e-uality. 4or example, in the 5atholic 5hurch under
5hristian religion is hierarchical in the sense that a priest is bound by motives to respect a
*ishop because they are not e-ual according to the teachings and hierarchy of the
5atholic 5hurch. The 1ope is at the top of the catholic hierarchy of ran$s. This is e-ually
evident in other 5hristian churches outside the 5atholic 5hurch li$e 1entecostal
churches; a deacon would li$e to become a pastor because the hierarchy of pastors is
more than that of deacons.
DIMENSIONS OF RELIGION IN THE SOCIETY
5hurches, which are religious organi(ations well integrated into the society, fall
into two categories= ecclesias and denominations. Sects, the result of religious divisions,
are mar$ed by suspicion of the larger society as well as charismatic leadership. 5ults are
religious organi(ations that embrace new and unconventional beliefs and practices.
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7ne dimension of secularism is the rise of what 'obert *ellah /+9?B0 calls civil
religion a -uasi8religious loyalty binding individuals in a basically secular society. )n
other words, even if some traditional dimensions of religiosity are wea$ening, new
religious -ualities maybe found in such things as patriotism, membership in associations,
good citi(enship and even sporting meetings which can retain religious -ualities.
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An
example of the latter point in the context of our immediate surrounding is the case where
we see 1astors li$e E! A! A"e#o$e %n" T! B! &o'()% praying for ,igerian super 6agles
to win the nations cup and -ualify for the >C+D *ra(il World 5up.
1% ;o1n ;. Macionis and Gen Pl0mmer. Sociology: a glo&al introduction( +t1ird edition,. Pearson
Ed0cation 2imited, 2008. P809
19 i&id P 803
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'eligion in the society embar$s on charity apostolate, we can see the oly See of
Eatican 5ity 'ome, giving supports to refugees in many war torn countries li$e "ibya.
"iberia etc. 'eligions e-ually give arms and support the poor and less privileges of the
society. 'eligious denominations are now involved in different dimensions of apostolates
li$e opening schools, hospitals, microfinance ban$s, conference centers, children fun
centers, tutorial centers etc. and thereby they are in one way or the other creating !ob
opportunities for the !obless of the society.
)ndividuals according to E*ile D)r+(ei*, experiences the power of their society
through religion. 'eligion promotes social cohesion and conformity by conferring
meaning and purpose in life. 'eligious beliefs as Pe,er Berger explains are socially
constructed as a means of responding to life&s uncertainties and disruptions. 'eligion is a
paradigm for society in many ways.
CONCLUSION
The two bodies or setup that is the case study of this paper has been more or less
proven to affect each other with regards to their activities and the ways the function.
'eligion has a considerable effect on the society and the society in turn e-ually affects
religion in one way or the other. The effects of religion and society on each other in turn
affect the immediate environment in which we live and in a way of extension, as an
implication it affects the human persons living in particular environments.
) tried my best to cite examples from our immediate environment, how these
effects of religion and society on each other does to the environment. 4irst one needs to
$now that there is a mutual relationship between religion and the society. The society
influences religious activities and religion implements and imbibes societal values and
norms. 'eligion inculcates the value of indoctrination because of its -uest to conform and
orient peoples with regards to their worth and values.
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'eligion in the society enhances social order and discipline. Society in religion
fosters good association in an interpersonal relationship between members of a particular
religion because from the society, human persons are being thought or rather have learnt
how to relate with each other exclusively and inclusively in a mutual relationship and
otherwise. The society sociali(es religion as a social institution. 'eligion in return brings
about or adds to the ethical values of the society and inculcates bearing, focus,
enthusiasm, courage and motivation to the youths of the society. "ove for religion
extends to the society that habours it and love for the society extends to religion it
habours. According to established structures, religious belief is a social fact that has an
ob!ective reality beyond the lives and perceptions of particular individuals.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. ;o1n ;. Macionis and Gen Pl0mmer. Sociology: a glo&al introduction( +t1ird edition,.
Pearson Ed0cation 2imited, 2008.
2. )eorge Rit*er +ed., The Blackwell encyclopedia of sociology( -lac./ell $0&lis1ing
2td. 2003.
'. Ronald 2. ;o1nstone. Religion in society# a sociology of religion. :i7t1 edition. F$$er
:addle Ri@er, =e/ ;erse5, 1938
(. )ardner, )ar5 >. $nspiring Progress: Religions% Contri&utions to Sustaina&le
!e'elopment. =e/ Aor." W. W. =orton B #om$an5. 200<.
8. Paden, William E. "Religion." Microsoft Encarta 2009 [DVD. Redmond, W!" Microsoft
#or$oration, 200%.
<. *erger, 1eter ". The Sacred Canopy: Elements of a Sociological Theory of Religion
/+93?0.
3. Winnifred 4allers Sullivan, Paying the Words Extra: Religious iscourse in the
Supreme Court of the !nited States, /5ambridge= +99D0
%. ,icole 5omforto. Religion: " Study of Society. #rade +> Annie Wright School Tacoma,
Washington.
9.
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