What effect does religion have on culture and society?

Answer 1

A:Religion can define society. There is 'us' who worship this deity, and 'them' who worship another deity. This creates barriers and borders between groups that are otherwise homogenous.

Developing into a lack of common interests between two different religious groups, this can lead to suspicion, lack of understanding, then intolerance and even hatred between the groups. This is not only true between members of different religions, but even between members of sects or denominations within a religion. Catholic-Protestant animosity lasted well into the twentieth century, and not only in Ireland. War between the Serbs and Croatians was as much about religious differences (Orthodox-Catholic) as ethnic hostilities. War between the Serbs and Bosnians was entirely about religion. War between Sunni Muslims and Shi'ite Muslims are well known occurrences.

Religious groups often try to totally dominate the beliefs of an ethnic group or political entity. This is not always the case, as evidenced by pagan toleration of the gradual infiltration by Christian minorities. It was the case whenever the Christian missionaries managed to convert the king, expecting that he would then enforce conversion on the entire population.

The Roman Empire was too large and diverse for Constantine to enforce conversion on the entire population, but when he decided to support Christianity he did so wholeheartedly, beginning a long process of persecuting the pagans and Jews. The Muslim expansion was accompanied by forced conversion of pagans in the Middle East and north Africa, and later of Hindus in India. However, once again India was too large for this to be entirely successful.

Once established, religious institutions seek to accumulate power and control over secular leaders. Post-Exilic Judah was a theocracy, to the extent that autonomy or independence existed. The medieval Church considered itself above kings and expected obedience to the Pontiff's decrees.

Throughout history, religious institutions have sought to accumulate great wealth. In a number of cases, the accumulation of much of ancient Egypt's wealth to the religious elite was a cause of social and military weakness. Again in medieval Europe, the Church accumulated vast estates and built magnificent basilicas and cathedrals, filled with precious artworks. The concentration of wealth in the Church has encouraged the production of great works of art, still enjoyed today.

The contribution of the Christian Church to modern Western culture can be balanced by its absolute vandalism of ancient culture. The Christian emperors of Rome gave the bishops free licence to destroy and pillage the ancient temples and holy places. From the fourth century onwards, the Christian Church ensured the burning of all books not written for the betterment of the Church, and discouraged education for all other than the clergy. By the Middle Ages, even kings were often unable to read. The Church opposed any form of scientific inquiry and persecuted those whom it branded as heretics for proposing ideas seen as contrary to Church teachings. However, the Church would participate in setting up the universities and great institutions of learning in the late Middle Ages. Gradually, the Christian Churches saw merit in being seen as championing literacy and education among the ordinary people. This has been of particular value in Africa, where the civil authorities have allowed the Churches to develop and run the education system.

Religion has a social conscience, and some 'leftist' priests have led the struggle in areas like South America and southern Africa, for freedom, democracy and rights for ordinary people.

In summary, the effect of religion on culture and society is complex, and both positive and negative.