religion and theology

religion and theology

The Impact of Religion and Theology on Society

1. Introduction

The early modern period is crucial in the history of thinkers, religion, and the development of its impact on societies across the globe. It is during this time that various thinkers began to evaluate religion, its impact on individuals, and its repercussions on the societies in which they live. As modernization brought significant change into the world, so too did it bring change to religion. In the wake of the scientific revolution and the new thought that it brought into being, theologians and laymen would use its very method to evaluate and criticize all aspects of religion. New ideas and technologies would bring religion to the forefront of society in ways never before seen. These societal changes, along with the new findings from the natural world, would have a lasting impact on how religion is viewed and its place within modern society. The very nature of this topic will be explored in terms of its impact on shaping the fields of philosophy, modern science, and the birth of sociology in religion. This will be done with an eye on how these developments have shaped religion and its beliefs in the societies that spawned them.

2. The Role of Religion in Shaping Beliefs and Values

The role of religion is the foundation that shapes the way individuals view life. Different religions impact society in various ways; from shaping moral values to influencing positive law and order. It is seen that moral behavior is dictated by religion through the affirmation of a reward for following a rule and punishment for not following it. This serves to encourage individuals to follow moral behavior. Various religions also have sought to influence laws which seek to protect the welfare of an individual. In general, the impact of religion on law and order is a positive one, with religions promoting the just treatment of individuals who have been wronged. Compared to secular law, religious laws often have a greater emphasis on morality and doing what is right, rather than doing what is allowed. An example of this is the Ten Commandments in the Christian and Jewish religions, which establishes clear moral guidelines. In contrast, religious approaches to the welfare of society have both positive and negative effects. While religious charity work has helped many in need, it is also true that religion has been misused to exploit people who are in a vulnerable position.

3. The Influence of Theology on Moral and Ethical Frameworks

The influence of religion on societies can be seen when cultures are compared. Each religion has a different set of beliefs and practices. This difference in belief systems among different religions also results in a difference in the ethics and morals of a culture. For example, the Hindu caste system places major emphasis on one’s behaviour, which is a result of one’s moral quality in a past life. The notion of Karma and duty as prescribed in Hindu philosophy are difficult for the Western mind to understand. Hindus believe that whatever happens to a person is a result of what he wanted, and God just gave him that. This fatalistic attitude takes away too much initiative from its followers, and Hinduism has been accused of paralysing its followers by exaggerated passivity. In contrast, Christianity teaches the concept of forgiveness. No matter the sin one has committed, there is forgiveness through acceptance of Jesus Christ. This belief inherently gives a Christian a greater feeling of autonomy and control over his life in comparison to a Hindu. These examples demonstrate how religious beliefs can affect the ethics and morals of a culture by affecting what is seen as good and bad, or the moral and immoral.

4. Religion and Social Justice: Promoting Equality and Compassion

Many religions have specific beliefs about certain social justice issues, and they form religious organizations or join existing ones to advocate for their beliefs in the public square. Much of the institutionalized promotion of social justice comes from the organized sectors of religious institutions. Yet, apart from specific social justice issues and organizations, promotion of social justice is also a matter of changing attitudes and the general ethos of society. It is here that religion in general often plays an important role, for religion can set the tone of society with regards to attitudes and ideals. Religion can also provide a source of motivation and inspiration for persons involved in social justice causes. Finally, a significant part of religious promotion of equality and compassion comes from the simple example of religious persons behaving in ways that are perceived to be virtuous with regards to these issues. Taken collectively, religion can significantly affect both the specific promotion of social justice issues and the manner in which a society addresses issues of equality and compassion.

Religions have taken differing positions on issues of social justice and equality. There are currently many different organizations fighting for social justice, and most of them have members with deeply held religious convictions. Yet, there can be significant diversity of opinion even within a single religious tradition. While some religious doctrines clearly state the vital importance of promoting equality and compassion, others may seem to promote compassion and caring only toward co-religionists. There is often a tension between promoting the welfare of co-religionists and promoting the welfare of all people. This tension is a reflection of the reality of social identity and ingroup/outgroup psychology. Yet, in cases where it has led to discrimination and inequality between different groups of people, religious promoters of equality and compassion have drawn on the same religious doctrines to campaign for change.

5. The Future of Religion and Theology in a Changing World

In light of this, any analysis of the future of religion and theology should take into account a) the global context in which religion takes place, and b) the assumptions and motivations behind predictions of either the downfall or resurgence of religion.

Although most of the implications of these predictions are beyond the scope of this paper, it is evident that there is a need for a more detailed or precise analysis of the future of religion and theology in a changing world. This is especially true since many of these negative predictions are often uncritically accepted by theologians and religious leaders themselves, often with detrimental consequences to their own faith communities.

Also, modernization and secularization are often equated. Yet the two concepts are not mutually inclusive. Given that secular humanism is itself a worldview of the West, which is not necessarily transferable or exportable to non-Western societies, it is not guaranteed that religion and tradition in other parts of the world will simply give way to modernity.

While one can appreciate the motivations of such statements, there are several faulty assumptions at work. First, the assumption that modernity necessarily implies secularization is a debatable point. Actually, historians have noted that the alleged golden age of secularism in the 1960s was an exception to the rule. Functional differentiation of the various structures and institutions of society does not necessitate secularization, meaning that religion and state can be separated without religion being relegated to the purely private realm.

In an age of globalization, an open society, science, and technology, many contemporary pronouncements about the future of religion and theology seem exceptionally pessimistic. The rise of secular humanism and the decline of the influence of the traditionally religious institutions are often cited as predictors of religion’s eventual demise. Often, religion is viewed as incompatible with the future, something that will inevitably succumb to the changing times.