In its simplest form any religion may be seen as a belief system. This system may affect values, laws, customs, rites and general behaviour patterns. Religion may affect the individual, group, community or nation. It may play a peripheral or an integral role within society. Its structure may be as complex as any large organisational bureaucracy or as simple as a two-way relationship between a person and object/subject of worship.

The function of religion in a society is often to explain to the people in that society their primal origins, the nature of life, the function and aims of life and reasons for living. To put it simply, to answer the question "why am I here"? In the past religion has been used as a control mechanism, a way of achieving order, of delegating roles and responsibilities. From a sociologist's point of view the "Ten Commandments" given to Moses are a set of behavioural rules that would bring order and harmony to the society that would allow the society to......

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Title: Functions Of Religion In Society
Approximate Word Count: 1379
Approximate Pages: 6 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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