Which theoretical interpretation of the role of religion in society do you find most convincing. Give reasons for your answer.

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Which theoretical interpretation of the role of religion in society do you find most convincing. Give reasons for your answer.

The fact that religion seems to have continually played an important role in every known society should highlight the idea that religion serves some sort of purpose. The various sociological explanations of this purpose are what the key is. The questions that arise include, why people believe in "gods", "spirits" and "supernatural beings" and the reasons for the existence of religious beliefs and practices. When we look at theories of religion, the focus is therefore on the way religious behaviour differs between and within societies and the consequences for social interaction of religious activity and organisation.

Functionalist sociologists focus their attention on the nature of institutional relationships in society. This Structuralist perspective focuses on the ways individual behaviour results from the nature of institutional relationships in society. According to Parsons, for example, all institutions in society (family, work, education, religion and so on) have a particular set of functions. Cultural institutions, from a Functionalist perspective, develop to create and maintain of a sense of order and community in society. Their main function is to provide the individual with