Sociology

Scholarly analysis indicates that religion has an important role in the society. The role of religion can be seen in all aspects of the society such as peace and conflict as well as having power. Religion is the determinant of aspects of social stability, the relationships between minorities and majorities, evolution and revolution, dissenters and authorities, female and males, them and us and much more. Thus, religion is assumed to be a significant cultural and social factor that forms the concept of culture/ or social construction. Additionally, religion is linked to political power in both explicit and implicit ways. Religion also serves as a marker of identity that determines the maintenance of political, social and ethnic stability as well as serving as an identity marker during conflicts. Religion does not have to be the contributing factor or cause of violent conflicts among social groups.

 Religious and religion ideology can, however, serve in regulating social violence. In the recent times, the destructive side of such religious beliefs has been witnessed which serve as evidence that seems to suggest that religion can intensify conflicts among civilization. At the same time, there have been high expectations that indicate conflicts solving can be through dialogues among civilizations. The new entanglements of political actions and religious ideas, the changing locations and formations of religion call for new interpretive perspectives. Particular attention should be on new discourses of differences and the rise of global media. Religion plays in the society as proposed by various social theories.

Literature Review/ discussion

The global scenario is most challenging when in the analysis of religious-related conflict and violence. The new phenomenon of terrorism represents innovative ways of religious conflicts as well as mass mediation. The new movements and extremist factions have now captured public attention. Specialists studying the emergence of these new versions of regions have shed valuable light on processes of radicalization and conversion (Hacket, 2003). The most essential is the ability to assess the potency and claims of religious rhetoric as a form of violent social transformation. Thus, it is true to say the twenty-first-century scholars of religion have to be aware of the power of images and strategic manipulations. Castells terms this concept as our “ global network society" (Castells, 1997, p 10-11).

 Furthermore, images of suffering, prosecution, and demonization have been seen in the activism and self-understanding of groups (Hackett, 2003). The expansion of media and new technologies of communication call for the need to understand the media sphere ability in religious conflicts. There is also need to rethink conflict and violence are perceived and constituted. The British government has for example enacted a bill that prohibits religious hatred among religious communities especially the Muslims in public spheres (UK Parliament, 2006). The heightened functioned of the media in inciting religious discrimination and violence is acknowledged by the United Nations Commissions on Human Rights and call for Combating Defamation of Religions (Commission on Human Rights Resolution, 2011).

Theories

The Marxists believe that the role of religion helps to dull the pain of oppressions. They believe that religion is the opium of the people by acting as a drug to dull the pain of abuse by promising believers of paradise after death. For example, the Hindu Caste System is a means through which religion justifies the social order. The poor are comforted by the belief of gaining their reward during their next life. Religion prevents people from attempting change, and the dominant group will always retain their power. Thus, those in the ruling class will justify their position using religion. Marxists, therefore, believe that religion acts as a tool for oppression and exploitation among the ruling class.

The functionalist believes that religion is the best tool in the society because it helps to create the value of consensus in getting shared values and norms that the society cannot live without it. Based on this theory, religion is vital in maintaining and creating social order, solidarity, and value consensus.

The feminist theory on religion views religion as being patriarchal that is dominated by male. Since religion is patriarchal, it perpetuates and reflects the inequality in the society and legitimates female subordination. For example women participation is restricted in reading and preaching sacred texts. In Islam, women in their menstrual period are restricted from touching the Qur’an.

Conclusion

This essay has illustrated the role that religion plays in the society mainly in the contemporary religious violence within the national, global and local range. Scholars of religion need to consider all areas of religious violence in the society, which are the functionalist, Marxist and feminist theories.

References

Castells, M. (2010). The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture, Oxford: Blackwell, p 10-11

Commission on Human Rights Resolution (2011) Combating Defamation of Religions. 

On May 4th, 2015

Hacket, R., (2003) Discourses of demonization in Africa. Diogenes, Vol. 50, p 66-75

UK Parliament (2006). Racial and Religious Hatred Bill.
On May 4th, 2015

Carolyn Morgan is the author of this paper. A senior editor at MeldaResearch.Com in college research paper services. If you need a similar paper you can place your order from best medical essay service.