Religion, Dawn Depouli

Religion supports the status quo by promoting and reinforcing it through various means. One way is the cooperation of church and state. This was very common in European history, with clergy and high church officials working with monarchies to reinforce society’s rules. Religious groups often support rulers, monarchs, royal families, and politicians thereby having an effect on society. Morality is a big part of religion and can be seen in the enacting and enforcing of many of man’s laws. Laws about marriage and sexual relationships are greatly affected by religion since in many states gay marriage laws have not been passed due to the people’s religious views. God’s laws and man’s laws are often the same and punishment by law enforcement is usually the consequence from breaking religious moral codes. According to our text, religion helps to reinforce history and government with stories and rituals. When people have religion or similar religious values in common, there is more “social solidarity” leading to less change in society’s status quo. Lastly, initiation rites can teach people about their society’s culture and practice.

Religion can also be a radical force that can change society. For example, the civil rights movement definitely changed America as a society. The Religious History of America is the text for another class of mine and has many examples of religion changing the status quo. In the late 1800s in America, conditions for factory workers were horrible. Because of clergy, issues like child labor, hourly wages, days off, hours worked in a day, and labor unions were all addressed. During and after World War I, religion gave way to many pacifist opinions about America going to war which in a way led to the U.S. going to war primarily to fight for human rights. The WCTU or Women’s Christian Temperance Union was created in 1874 (and still exists today) to combat the use of alcohol. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, their efforts helped change communities by making them alcohol-free and these religious women helped to make Prohibition a possibility. The YMCA was also started as a religious group trying to change the status quo. They help adults and children of course but in the past helped people down on their luck such as those in jails, settlement houses, and the homeless, by offering food and shelter.