Generally, religion is defined as a social-cultural system that includes beliefs, morals, texts, organizations, and sanctified places. It is a social support that provides meaning to a person’s life. It helps people to choose between right and wrong. It is also a source of encouragement to lead a healthy lifestyle. The effectiveness of religion depends on how it is explained and practiced.
While religion is a social support, it can become a self-serving institution. The rigidity of religious belief systems can create potent ideologies of oppression. The term religion is also misleading when it is used interchangeably with spirituality. Both are points on a continuum of belief systems.
However, there are clear differences between the two. Traditionally, religion was a communal, rule-based system that gave people a sense of certainty in uncertain times. In the 1960s, organized religion became a part of rebellion against authority. This trend was continued in the 1970s, when religions began to emphasize personal quests for God. The term “spirituality” emerged as a subcategory of religion. It was a result of the privatization of religion. This is a process that has been going on in the United States for a long time.
Religion is often based on the lives and teachings of historical figures. These figures are often worshipped, regarded as symbols of God, and transmitted through written scriptures and oral traditions. Many religious texts contain profound spiritual messages. Some of the divine qualities included in religion are transcendence, immanence, boundlessness, and ultimacy.
The core social function of religion is to strengthen the health and well-being of its members. It is important to note that this aspect of religion can be compromised by individualism. For example, concepts of original sin, divine wrath, and eternal punishment can lead to a worry-filled mental environment. On the other hand, concepts of a higher power that provides purpose, moral guidance, and a sense of belonging can encourage members to act.
Despite these negative aspects, religion still serves an important social function. Among survey respondents who are religious, 81 percent say that their religion gives them a sense of purpose, 78 percent say it gives them moral guidance, and 63 percent say it gives them a feeling of belonging. Moreover, fewer than half of respondents say religion helps them to choose right over wrong. This finding reflects a wide spectrum of views of religion.
The survey was conducted with a representative sample of U.S. adults in April and November 2016. It includes 1281 web-based surveys and interviews with U.S. adults aged 18 to 35. The sampling error is approximately 3 percentage points. The survey was administered at 95% confidence level.
The survey found that Western Europeans have mixed views of religion. Attitudes toward religion are generally positive in Austria, Italy, and Ireland. However, they are not as positive in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The survey showed that women and college graduates have positive views of religion, while adults under age 35 have more positive attitudes than college graduates.