Religion obviously plays a huge part in American life everyday, and with many different types of belief systems it makes all of us different in our own way. Emile Durkheim presented social institutions as a way to introduce the sociological theory of functionalism. He believed that without all these social institutions life would become chaos. Religion is an important social institution, it provides a belief in something we cannot see. It provides patterns of beliefs and behavior that helps a society meet its basic needs (lardbucket.org). Religion is defined as an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or group of gods (merriam-webster.com). Religion to me is very important, my parents took me to our Methodist hometown church since I was a little girl. I went to Sunday School, was acolyte, participated in Bible school in the summer, and I was confirmed in that same church. I have seen many pastors pass through that church and many people as well. Religion to me is a way to talk to someone about problems that no one else can understand. It's a way of silently helping someone who may not even know you exist. Finally it's a way believe in something beyond your power. If you know religion you know exactly what this feels like, to believe beyond a higher power gives you something to live for.
"Religion as a Social Institution."
Religion as a Social Institution. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2015.
URL: http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/sociology-comprehensive-edition/s20-01-religion-as-a-social-instituti.html
"Religion-Definition of Religion."
Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2015.
URL: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religion
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