Religion and the Social Change

by Tatiana Velitchkov © 2009

Religion has in different parts of the world played a key role in defining interpersonal relationships. It has evolved much like society; this is mostly as a result of fusion of different communities which have to find a common ground that is acceptable to either of the peoples involved. Since religion does not have a globally accepted meaning, different social groupings can be traced to the underlying religions that the specific communities have embraced. Though the extent to which religion has contributed to the current lifestyle among people of different communities can still be argued, religion is a factor even in the organization of societies and governance.

Religion has been viewed as a guiding principle in determining the social action for an individual member of society in terms of defining one’s relationship with the community that they are living in as well as determining the social structure of the community, by defining the rules that the people live within. In is therefore clear that as a tool of social change, religion would predefine an individuals action and on a wider scale, a community’s action. Modernization has eroded the teachings of ancient religion by different communities trying to coexist, and the resultant is a metamorphosis religion that borrows from the originals. 

Religion is viewed in different perspectives on the matter of social change, one that it has limited change in society, and two that it has been a tool in specifying what is acceptable as a lifestyle and therefore propagating change in the social structure of a community. In either case, religion has an impact on the course that people who subscribe to a particular religion generally follow. Since both schools of thought have their strengths, it can be concluded that religion acts to regulate the social actions of a community, either by regulation or propagation of specific actions. Social development over time can be attributed to several factors but religion seems to be outstanding in knitting the social fabric of communities.

Social transformations have been widely linked to religious patterns and this is because religion is an integral component of cultures. Communities identify with specific religions and the morals in the applicable religions determine the general principles that shape the lifestyles of its people. However, critics have suggested that religion has been used as a tool to oppress others. These thoughts notwithstanding, the development of the society and changes therein can be attributed to religion.