SOME DT OF IN THE DT MAJOR JJ FUNCTIONS NNP OF IN RELIGION NNP The DT place NN of IN religion NN in IN the DT simple NN , , preliterate JJ societies NNS is VBZ quite RB definite JJ ; : as IN a DT complex JJ it PRP fits VBZ into IN the DT whole JJ social JJ organization NN and CC functions NNS dominantly RB in IN every DT part NN of IN it PRP . . In IN societies NNS like VBP ours PRP , , however RB , , its PRP$ place NN is VBZ less RBR clear JJ and CC more RBR complex JJ . . With IN the DT diversity NN of IN religious JJ viewpoints NNS , , there EX are VBP differences NNS of IN opinion NN as IN to TO the DT essential JJ features NNS of IN religion NN ; : and CC there EX are VBP different JJ opinions NNS as IN to TO the DT essential JJ functions NNS of IN religion NN . . Nevertheless RB , , for IN most RBS of IN the DT population NN of IN heterogeneous JJ advanced VBD societies NNS , , though IN less JJR for IN the DT less RBR religious JJ portion NN , , religion NN does VBZ perform VB certain JJ modal JJ individual JJ and CC social JJ functions NNS . . Although IN the DT inner JJ functions NNS of IN religion NN are VBP not RB of IN direct JJ significance NN in IN social JJ organization NN , , they PRP have VBP important JJ indirect JJ consequences NNS . . If IN the DT inner JJ functions NNS of IN religion NN are VBP performed VBN , , the DT individual JJ is NNS a DT composed VBN , , ordered VBD , , motivated VBN , , and CC emotionally RB secure VB associate JJ ; : he PRP is VBZ not RB greatly RB frustrated VBN , , and CC he PRP is VBZ not RB anomic JJ ; : he PRP is VBZ better RBR fitted VBN to TO perform VB his PRP$ social JJ life NN among IN his PRP$ fellows NNS . . There EX are VBP several JJ closely RB related VBN inner JJ functions NNS . . In IN the DT last JJ analysis NN , , religion NN is VBZ the DT means NNS of IN inducing VBG , , formulating VBG , , expressing VBG , , enhancing VBG , , implementing VBG , , and CC perpetuating VBG man NN 's POS deepest JJS experienceÑthe NN religious JJ . . Man NN is VBZ first JJ religious JJ ; : the DT instrumentalities NNS follow VBP . . Religion NN seeks VBZ to TO satisfy VB human JJ needs NNS of IN great JJ pertinence NN . . The DT significant JJ things NNS in IN it PRP , , at IN the DT higher JJR religious JJ levels NNS , , are VBP the DT inner JJ emotional JJ , , mental JJ , , and CC spiritual JJ occurrences NNS that WDT fill VBP the DT pressing VBG human JJ needs NNS of IN self NN preservation NN , , self NN pacification NN , , and CC self NN completion NN . . The DT chief JJ experience NN is VBZ the DT sensing NN of IN communion NN , , and CC in IN the DT higher JJR religions NNS , , of IN a DT harmonious JJ relationship NN with IN the DT supernatural JJ power NN . . Related JJ to TO this DT is VBZ the DT fact NN that IN most RBS of IN the DT higher JJR religions NNS define VBP for IN the DT individual JJ his PRP$ place NN in IN the DT universe NN and CC give VB him PRP a DT feeling NN that IN he PRP is VBZ relatively RB secure VB in IN an DT ordered VBD , , dependable JJ universe NN . . Man NN has VBZ the DT experience NN of IN being VBG helpfully RB allied VBN with IN what WP he PRP can MD not RB fully RB understand VB ; : he PRP is VBZ a DT coordinate NN part NN of IN all DT of IN the DT mysterious JJ energy NN and CC being VBG and CC movement NN . . The DT universe NN is VBZ a DT safe JJ and CC permanent JJ home NN . . A DT number NN of IN religions NNS also RB satisfy VB for IN many VB the DT need NN of IN being VBG linked VBN with IN the DT ultimate JJ and CC eternal JJ . . Death NN is VBZ not RB permanent JJ defeat NN and CC disappearance NN ; : man NN has VBZ a DT second JJ chance NN . . He PRP is VBZ not RB lost VBN in IN the DT abyss NN of IN endless JJ time NN ; : he PRP has VBZ endless JJ being NN . . Religion NN at IN its PRP$ best JJS also RB offers VBZ the DT experience NN of IN spiritual JJ fulfillment NN by IN inviting VBG man NN into IN the DT highest JJS realm NN of IN the DT spirit NN . . Religion NN can MD summate VB , , epitomize VB , , relate VB , , and CC conserve VB all PDT the DT highest JJS ideals NNS and CC valuesÑethical JJ , , aesthetic JJ , , and CC religiousÑof NN man NN formed VBN in IN his PRP$ culture NN . . There EX is VBZ also RB the DT possibility NN , , among IN higher JJR religions NNS , , of IN experiencing VBG consistent JJ meaning NN in IN life NN and CC enjoying VBG guidance NN and CC expansiveness NN . . The DT kind NN of IN religious JJ experience NN that IN most RBS moderns NNS seek VBP not RB only RB provides VBZ , , clarifies VBZ , , and CC relates VBZ human JJ yearnings NNS , , values NNS , , ideals NNS , , and CC purposes NNS ; : it PRP also RB provides VBZ facilities NNS and CC incitements NNS for IN the DT development NN of IN personality NN , , sociality NN , , and CC creativeness NN . . Under IN the DT religious JJ impulse NN , , whether IN theistic JJ or CC humanistic JJ , , men NNS have VBP joy NN in IN living VBG ; : life NN leads VBZ somewhere RB . . Religion NN at IN its PRP$ best JJS is VBZ out IN in IN front NN , , ever RB beckoning VBG and CC leading VBG on IN , , and CC , , as IN Lippman NNP put NN it PRP , , mobilizing VBG all DT man NN 's POS scattered VBN energies NNS in IN one CD triumphant JJ sense NN of IN his PRP$ own JJ infinite JJ importance NN . . At IN the DT same JJ time NN that DT religion NN binds VBZ the DT individual JJ helpfully RB to TO the DT supernatural JJ and CC gives VBZ him PRP cosmic JJ peace NN and CC a DT sense NN of IN supreme NN fulfillment NN , , it PRP also RB has VBZ great JJ therapeutic JJ value NN for IN him PRP . . It PRP gives VBZ him PRP aid JJ , , comfort NN , , even JJ solace NN , , in IN meeting VBG mundane JJ life NN situations NNS where WRB his PRP$ own JJ unassisted JJ practical JJ knowledge NN and CC skill NN are VBP felt VBN by IN him PRP to TO be VB inadequate JJ . . He PRP is VBZ confronted VBN with IN the DT recurrent JJ crises NNS , , such JJ as IN great JJ natural JJ catastrophes NNS and CC the DT great JJ transitions NNS of IN lifeÑmarriage NN , , incurable JJ disease NN , , widowhood NN , , old JJ age NN , , the DT certainty NN of IN death NN . . He PRP has VBZ to TO cope VB with IN frustration NN and CC other JJ emotional JJ disturbance NN and CC anomie FW . . His PRP$ religious JJ beliefs NNS provide VBP him PRP with IN plausible JJ explanations NNS for IN many JJ conditions NNS which WDT cause VBP him PRP great JJ concern NN , , and CC his PRP$ religious JJ faith NN makes VBZ possible JJ fortitude NN , , equanimity NN , , and CC consolation NN , , enabling VBG him PRP to TO endure VB colossal JJ misfortune NN , , fear NN , , frustration NN , , uncertainty NN , , suffering VBG , , evil JJ , , and CC danger NN . . Religion NN usually RB also RB includes VBZ a DT principle NN of IN compensation NN , , mainly RB in IN a DT promised VBD perfect JJ future NN state NN . . The DT belief NN in IN immortality NN , , where WRB held VBN , , functions VBZ as IN a DT redress NN for IN the DT ills NNS and CC disappointments NNS of IN the DT here RB and CC now RB . . The DT tensions NNS accompanying VBG a DT repressive JJ consciousness NN of IN wrongdoing VBG or CC sinning VBG or CC some DT tormenting VBG secret JJ are VBP relieved VBN for IN the DT less JJR self NN contained VBD or CC self NN sufficient JJ by IN confession NN , , repentance NN , , and CC penance NN . . The DT feeling NN of IN individual JJ inferiority NN , , defeat NN , , or CC humilation NN growing VBG out IN of IN various JJ social JJ situations NNS or CC individual JJ deficiencies NNS or CC failures NNS is VBZ compensated VBN for IN by IN communion NN in IN worship NN or CC prayer NN with IN a DT friendly JJ , , but CC all DT victorious JJ Father NNP God NNP , , as RB well RB as IN by IN sympathetic JJ fellowship NN with IN others NNS who WP share VBP this DT faith NN , , and CC by IN opportunities NNS in IN religious JJ acts NNS for IN giving VBG vent NN to TO emotions NNS and CC energies NNS . . In IN providing VBG for IN these DT inner JJ individual JJ functions NNS , , religion NN undertakes VBZ in IN behalf NN of IN individual JJ peace NN of IN mind NN and CC well RB being VBG services NNS for IN which WDT there EX is VBZ no DT other JJ institution NN . . In IN addition NN to TO the DT functions NNS of IN religion NN within IN man NN , , there EX have VBP always RB been VBN the DT outer JJ social JJ functions NNS for IN the DT community NN and CC society NN . . The DT two JJ have NN never RB been VBN separable JJ . . Religion NN is VBZ vitally RB necessary JJ in IN both DT societal JJ maintenance NN and CC regulation NN . . The DT value NN system NN of IN a DT community NN or CC society NN is VBZ always RB correlated JJ with IN , , and CC to TO a DT degree NN dependent JJ upon IN , , a DT more JJR or CC less RBR shared VBN system NN of IN religious JJ beliefs NNS and CC convictions NNS . . The DT religion NN supports VBZ , , re NN enforces VBZ , , reaffirms VBZ , , and CC maintains VBZ the DT fundamental JJ values NNS . . Even RB in IN the DT United JJ States NNPS , , with IN its PRP$ freedom NN of IN religious JJ belief NN and CC worship NN and CC its PRP$ vast JJ denominational JJ differentiation NN , , there EX is VBZ a DT general JJ consensus JJ regarding VBG the DT basic JJ Christian NNP values NNS . . This DT is VBZ demonstrated VBN especially RB when WRB there EX is VBZ awareness NN of IN radically RB different JJ value NN orientation NN elsewhere RB ; : for IN example NN Americans NNPS rally NN to TO Christian NNP values NNS vis FW a DT vis FW those DT of IN atheistic JJ communism NN . . In IN America NNP also RB all DT of IN our PRP$ major JJ religious JJ bodies NNS officially RB sanction VBP a DT universalistic JJ ethic JJ which WDT is VBZ reflective JJ of IN our PRP$ common JJ religion NN . . Even RB the DT non FW church NN membersÑthe NN freewheelers NNS , , marginal JJ religionists NNS and CC so RB onÑhave NN the DT values NNS of IN Christian NNP civilization NN internalized VBN in IN them PRP . . Furthermore RB , , religion NN tends VBZ to TO integrate VB the DT whole JJ range NN of IN values NNS from IN the DT highest JJS or CC ultimate JJ values NNS of IN God NNP to TO the DT intermediary JJ and CC subordinate JJ values NNS ; : for IN example NN , , those DT regarding VBG material JJ objects NNS and CC pragmatic JJ ends NNS . . Finally RB , , it PRP gives VBZ sanctity NN , , more JJR than IN human JJ legitimacy NN , , and CC even RB , , through IN super JJ empirical JJ reference NN , , transcendent JJ and CC supernatural JJ importance NN to TO some DT values NNS ; : for IN example NN , , marriage NN as IN a DT sacrament NN , , much JJ law NN breaking VBG as IN sinful JJ , , occasionally RB the DT state NN as IN a DT divine JJ instrument NN . . It PRP places VBZ certain JJ values NNS at IN least JJS beyond IN questioning VBG and CC tampering VBG . . Closely RB related VBN to TO this DT function NN is VBZ the DT fact NN that IN the DT religious JJ system NN provides VBZ a DT body NN of IN ultimate JJ ends NNS for IN the DT society NN , , which WDT are VBP compatible JJ with IN the DT supreme NN eternal JJ ends NNS . . This DT something VBG leads VBZ to TO a DT conception NN of IN an DT over IN all DT Social NNP Plan NNP with IN a DT meaning VBG interpretable JJ in IN terms NNS of IN ultimate JJ ends NNS ; : for IN example NN , , a DT plan NN that WDT fulfills VBZ the DT will MD of IN God NNP , , which WDT advances VBZ the DT Kingdom NNP of IN God NNP , , which WDT involves VBZ social JJ life NN as IN part NN of IN the DT Grand NNP Design NNP . . This DT explains VBZ some DT group NN ends NNS and CC provides VBZ a DT justification NN of IN their PRP$ primacy NN . . It PRP gives VBZ social JJ guidance NN and CC direction NN and CC makes VBZ for IN programs NNS of IN social JJ action NN . . Finally RB , , it PRP gives VBZ meaning VBG to TO much JJ social JJ endeavor NN , , and CC logic JJ , , consistency NN , , and CC meaning VBG to TO life NN . . In IN general JJ , , there EX is VBZ no DT society NN so RB secularized VBN as IN to TO be VB completely RB without IN religiously RB inspired VBN transcendental JJ ends NNS . . Religion NN integrates VBZ and CC unifies VBZ . . Some DT of IN the DT oldest JJS , , most RBS persistent JJ , , and CC most RBS cohesive JJ forms NNS of IN social JJ groupings NNS have VBP grown VBN out IN of IN religion NN . . These DT groups NNS have VBP varied VBN widely RB from IN mere JJ families NNS , , primitive JJ , , totemic JJ groups NNS , , and CC small JJ modern JJ cults NNS and CC sects NNS , , to TO the DT memberships NNS of IN great JJ denominations NNS , , and CC great JJ , , widely RB dispersed VBN world NN religions NNS . . Religion NN fosters VBZ group NN life NN in IN various JJ ways NNS . . The DT common JJ ultimate JJ values NNS , , ends NNS and CC goals NNS fostered VBN by IN religion NN are VBP a DT most RBS important JJ factor NN . . Without IN a DT system NN of IN values NNS there EX can MD be VB no DT society NN . . Where WRB such JJ a DT value NN system NN prevails VBZ , , it PRP always RB unifies VBZ all DT who WP possess VBP it PRP ; : it PRP enables VBZ members NNS of IN the DT society NN to TO operate VB as IN a DT system NN . . The DT beliefs NNS of IN a DT religion NN also RB reflecting VBG the DT values NNS are VBP expressed VBN in IN creeds NNS , , dogmas NNS , , and CC doctrines NNS , , and CC form NN what WP Durkheim NNP calls VBZ a DT credo NN . . As IN he PRP points VBZ out IN , , a DT religious JJ group NN can MD not RB exist VB without IN a DT collective JJ credo NN , , and CC the DT more RBR extensive JJ the DT credo NN , , the DT more RBR unified JJ and CC strong JJ is NNS the DT group NN . . The DT credo NN unifies VBZ and CC socializes VBZ men NNS by IN attaching VBG them PRP completely RB to TO an DT identical JJ body NN of IN doctrine NN ; : the DT more RBR extensive JJ and CC firm VB the DT body NN of IN doctrine NN , , the DT firmer JJR the DT group NN . . The DT religious JJ symbolism NN , , and CC especially RB the DT closely RB related VBN rites NNS and CC worship NN forms NNS , , constitute VBP a DT powerful JJ bond NN for IN the DT members NNS of IN the DT particular JJ faith NN . . The DT religion NN , , in IN fact NN , , is VBZ an DT expression NN of IN the DT unity NN of IN the DT group NN , , small JJ or CC large JJ . . The DT common JJ codes NNS , , for IN religious JJ action NN as IN such JJ and CC in IN their PRP$ ethical JJ aspects NNS for IN everyday JJ moral JJ behavior NN , , bind NN the DT devotees NNS together RB . . These DT are VBP ways NNS of IN jointly RB participating VBG in IN significantly RB symbolized VBD , , standardized JJ , , and CC ordered VBD religiously RB sanctified JJ behavior NN . . The DT codes NNS are VBP mechanism NN for IN training VBG in IN , , and CC directing VBG and CC enforcing VBG , , uniform NN social JJ interaction NN , , and CC for IN continually RB and CC publicly RB reasserting VBG the DT solidarity NN of IN the DT group NN . . Durkheim NNP noted VBD long JJ ago RB that DT religion NN as IN ... : a DT unified JJ system NN of IN beliefs NNS and CC practices NNS relative JJ to TO sacred JJ things NNS ... : unites VBZ into IN one CD single JJ moral JJ community NN ... : all PDT those DT who WP adhere VBP to TO them PRP . . His PRP$ view NN is VBZ that IN every DT religion NN pertains VBZ to TO a DT community NN , , and CC , , conversely RB , , every DT community NN is VBZ in IN one CD aspect NN a DT religious JJ unit NN . . This DT is VBZ brought VBN out IN in IN the DT common JJ religious JJ ethos NNS that WDT prevails VBZ even RB in IN the DT denominationally RB diverse JJ audiences NNS at IN many JJ secular JJ semi NN public JJ and CC public JJ occasions NNS in IN the DT United JJ States NNPS ; : and CC it PRP is VBZ evidenced VBN in IN the DT prayers NNS offered VBN , , in IN the DT frequent JJ religious JJ allusions NNS , , and CC in IN the DT confirmation NN of IN points NNS on IN religious JJ grounds NNS . . The DT unifying VBG effect NN of IN religion NN is VBZ also RB brought VBN out IN in IN the DT fact NN that IN historically RB peoples NNS have VBP clung VBN together RB as IN more JJR or CC less RBR cohesive JJ cultural JJ units NNS , , with IN religion NN as IN the DT dominant JJ bond NN , , even RB though IN spatially RB dispersed VBN and CC not RB politically RB organized VBN . . The DT Jews NNPS for IN 2500 CD years NNS have VBP been VBN a DT prime JJ example NN , , though IN the DT adherents NNS of IN any DT world NN or CC interpeople JJ religion NN are VBP cases NNS in IN point NN . . It PRP might MD be VB pointed VBN out RP that IN the DT integrating VBG function NN of IN religion NN , , for IN good JJ or CC ill JJ , , has VBZ often RB supported VBN or CC been VBN identified VBN with IN other JJ groupingsÑpolitical JJ , , nationality NN , , language NN , , class NN , , racial JJ , , sociability NN , , even RB economic JJ . . Religion NN usually RB exercises VBZ a DT stabilizing VBG conserving VBG function NN . . As IN such JJ it PRP acts VBZ as IN an DT anchor NN for IN the DT people NNS . . There EX is VBZ a DT marked VBN tendency NN for IN religions NNS , , once RB firmly RB established VBN , , to TO resist VB change NN , , not RB only RB in IN their PRP$ own JJ doctrines NNS and CC policies NNS and CC practices NNS , , but CC also RB in IN secular JJ affairs NNS having VBG religious JJ relevance NN . . It PRP has VBZ thus RB been VBN a DT significant JJ factor NN in IN the DT conservation NN of IN social JJ values NNS , , though IN also RB in IN some DT measure NN , , an DT obstacle NN to TO the DT creation NN or CC diffusion NN of IN new JJ ones NNS . . It PRP tends VBZ to TO support VB the DT longstanding JJ precious JJ sentiments NNS , , the DT traditional JJ ways NNS of IN thinking VBG , , and CC the DT customary JJ ways NNS of IN living VBG . . As IN Yinger NNP has VBZ pointed VBN out IN , , the DT ... : reliance NN on IN symbols NNS , , on IN tradition NN , , on IN sacred JJ writings NNS , , on IN the DT cultivation NN of IN emotional JJ feelings NNS of IN identity NN and CC harmony NN with IN sacred JJ values NNS , , turns VBZ one CD to TO the DT past JJ far RB more JJR than IN to TO the DT future NN . . Historically RB , , religion NN has VBZ also RB functioned VBN as IN a DT tremendous JJ engine NN of IN vindication NN , , enforcement NN , , sanction NN , , and CC perpetuation NN of IN various JJ other JJ institutions NNS . . At IN the DT same JJ time NN that DT religion NN exercises VBZ a DT conserving VBG influence NN , , it PRP also RB energizes VBZ and CC motivates VBZ both DT individuals NNS and CC groups NNS . . Much RB of IN the DT important JJ individual JJ and CC social JJ action NN has VBZ been VBN owing JJ to TO religious JJ incentives NNS . . The DT great JJ ultimate JJ ends NNS of IN religion NN have VBP served VBN as IN magnificent JJ beacon NN lights NNS that WDT lured VBD people NNS toward IN them PRP with IN an DT almost RB irresistible JJ force NN , , mobilizing VBG energies NNS and CC inducing VBG sacrifices NNS ; : for IN example NN , , the DT Crusades NNPS , , mission NN efforts NNS , , just RB wars NNS . . Much JJ effort NN has VBZ been VBN expended VBN in IN the DT sincere JJ effort NN to TO apply VB the DT teaching VBG and CC admonitions NNS of IN religion NN . . The DT insuperable JJ reward NN systems NNS that IN most RBS religions NNS embody VBP have VBP great JJ motivating VBG effects NNS . . Religion NN provides VBZ the DT most RBS attractive JJ rewards NNS , , either DT in NN this DT world NN or CC the DT next JJ , , for IN those DT who WP not RB merely RB abide VB by IN its PRP$ norms NNS , , but CC who WP engage VBP in IN good JJ works NNS . . Religion NN usually RB acts VBZ as IN a DT powerful JJ aid NN in IN social JJ control NN , , enforcing VBG what WP men NNS should MD or CC should MD not RB do VB . . Among IN primitive JJ peoples NNS the DT sanctions NNS and CC dictates NNS of IN religion NN were VBD more JJR binding VBG than IN any DT of IN the DT other JJ controls NNS exercised VBN by IN the DT group NN ; : and CC in IN modern JJ societies NNS such JJ influence NN is VBZ still RB great JJ . . Religion NN has VBZ its PRP$ own JJ supernatural JJ prescriptions NNS that WDT are VBP at IN the DT same JJ time NN codes NNS of IN behavior NN for IN the DT here RB and CC now RB . .