Sociology Essay: Exploring Religion's Functions in British Society

This sociology essay analyzes the multifaceted functions of religion within British society, examining its influence on societal norms, cultural values, and individual identities. The essay begins by defining religion and its impact on societal structures, emphasizing the historical significance of Christianity and Protestantism. It explores the changing role of churches and the evolving relationship between religion and the state, highlighting the impact on public life and community welfare. The essay also discusses the identity crisis faced by many Britons due to the decline of traditional religious adherence. The essay further examines the interplay between religious beliefs and secularism, the growth of private spirituality, and the low percentage of atheists. In conclusion, it emphasizes the role of religion in shaping society, both positively and negatively, and the importance of focusing on its beneficial aspects. The essay references multiple sources to support its arguments.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY
Sociology
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Essay no 1
The following essay aims at looking at functions of religion in the British society.
Religion is considered as a broader term in the prospect of shaping the society properly and
looking at aspects how people should behave as per ethical considerations of religion. To begin
the essay, it is very important to clarify what religion is and how it works. The influence of
religion in societal norms has been found to be epic. The influence of religion in both Indian and
Western society and civilization is immense from different perspectives (Johnstone 2015). Some
important elements of society have been shaped largely by inspiration from religious aspects
among people of Britain.
The role of churches has been one of the most crucial factors in the British society as far
as British society is concerned. Churches have taken up new functions to reach to common
people of the society (Johnstone 2015). They want to practice of Sunday services as per their
tradition so they can approach common people. Numerous people in Britain are going through a
sort of identity crisis. The role of religion has been changing in numerous ways in the British
society of late. Therefore, common people are also suffering from this change. Christianity and
Protestantism have been fading away from roots of British society nowadays. In countries as
England and Wales, the Anglican Church has the absolute power but the Church of Scotland
possesses the supreme command. However, religion has played a huge role in assuming
identities of British people. In British countries, the main attraction is not the values and beliefs
of Christianity. It is about the impact of these values and beliefs on public life. In the past,
Churches were regarded as the ultimate institutions to command the state (Johnstone 2015).
However, transformation of power has taken place from church to state. The faith groups have
been very active in helping common people for their overall well being. The outcomes of welfare

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state have been mixed and there has been a significant increase in the church-based community
work. The faith communities in different regions of the country run numerous action projects for
the common goof of the country.
The importance of religion has been one of the most crucial factors in the British society.
It has been proven from thee empirical evidence that has been gathered from studies and
researches (Pigott 2019). There is a minute line of difference between religion and philosophy.
Philosophy is generally regarded as a notion of the human beings that should be based on their
values and beliefs of their lives. On the other hand, religion is a social aspect i.e. somehow
forced to be implemented on the human beings. In the British society, the significance of religion
has begun to decrease due to many reasons. People in the five countries of Great Britain have
refused to become completely secular. Another view can be added in this discussion. It is the fact
that approach of British people have gone on to become somewhat equivocal indeed. It is only
because European Social Survey has revealed this issue through their qualitative research process
that people in Britain believe that religion is the medium by which God gives all human beings a
message (Pigott 2019) If God is worshipped regularly, all the children will become well-behaved
and strangers will become faithful. Other than that the shopkeepers will also turn to honest as
well.
On the contrary, it can also be opined that human beings or individuals have become less
active in being religious than they are becoming secular (Pigott 2019) Some people have also
addressed this situation in a manner that they do not have a belief in the image of God on a
personal level but they believe that there is some kind of heavenly power in this world. This is
how this kind of people has not been able to become completely secular. Another group of
people believe that they believe in the faith of God during sometimes but not in other times. This

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is why professors and theologian researchers have viewed this perspective from such an angle
that Britain is going through a crisis of identity (Pigott 2019) One of the biggest factors for this is
the weakening of tolerant Protestantism of the British Churches. Some researchers have
expressed their opinion in this regard that religion has left a huge impression in the overall
British society. This is why it has been extremely evident for other societies to look at this view
in new ways.
The growth of private spirituality has been growing since the last decade or so. However,
it is an overwhelming factor that almost 72% of British people identified themselves as Christian
believers (Pigott 2019). Rest of 28% was in confusion about their spiritual identity. It has also
been studied that most people have not been able to have their faith in absolute secularism since
some unreligious people also have sought to be a member of Christian community. Thus it is
very apparent that a large portion of British people is not absolutely prepared at this point of time
that they can embrace secularism and erase Christian identities from their existence. It must also
be mentioned that the percentage of people identified as atheists is very low indeed, just about
8%.
While concluding this essay, it can be said that religion indeed has played a huge role in
making the society a better place for all human beings to live. Religion has also made society
vulnerable from different angles. People have used religion for their benefits and some groups
have taken the help of terrorism to materialize their goals. Thus society has been brutalized in the
name of religion. One should always look at the brighter perspectives of religion that caters to do
well for society in different ways. Religions calm the minds of human beings down and evoke a
spiritual flavor in them. So, there are several good things in religion and these things should be
put into use.

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Reference List
Edgell, P., 2013. Religion and family in a changing society(Vol. 57). Princeton University Press.
Gorski, P., Kim, D.K., Torpey, J. and VanAntwerpen, J. eds., 2012. The post-secular in question:
Religion in contemporary society. NYU Press.
Herbert, D., 2017. Religion and civil society: Rethinking public religion in the contemporary
world. Routledge.
Hunt, S., 2013. Religion and everyday life. Routledge.
Johnstone, R.L., 2015. Religion in society: A sociology of religion. Routledge.
Pigott, R., 2019. Politics, Religion and Identity. [online] Esrc.ukri.org. Available at:
https://esrc.ukri.org/files/news-events-and-publications/publications/magazines/britain-in/britain-
in-2008-politics-religion-and-identity/ [Accessed 27 Mar. 2019].
Rudolph, S.H., 2018. Introduction: Religion, states, and transnational civil society.
In Transnational religion and fading states (pp. 1-24). Routledge.
Rudolph, S.H., 2018. Introduction: Religion, states, and transnational civil society.
In Transnational religion and fading states (pp. 1-24). Routledge.
Stark, R. and Bainbridge, W.S., 2013. Religion, deviance, and social control. Routledge.