Historians, philosophers, and religious scholars have written a lot about the influence of religion on society. At times, society unquestioningly obeyed the ministers of religious cults. Sometimes some strata of the population opposed one or another dogma of various teachings about the supernatural. The topic was relevant in the ancient world, and it is important today.
The impact of Christianity on society
Christianity arose in the 1st century AD in Palestine. The history of early Christianity is not too advertised by the ministers of the cult, although it is logical to assume that over 2 thousand years of all kinds of transformations and changes, early Christianity should be very different from the religion that has come down to us at the present time.
A number of authors have dealt with the history of Christian teaching. Erich Fromm viewed the emergence of Christianity from a psychological perspective. According to him, the teaching was popular among the lower strata of Jewish society. Thus, religion here allowed part of the population to unite and try to rebel against oppression by the wealthy inhabitants of Judea and the power of Rome. While the Romans were fighting Christians, Christians could consider themselves rebellious against the established system.
Over time, Christianity spread more widely and was no longer the teaching of the protesters everywhere. For the first time this religion became a state religion in Greater Armenia in 301. Somewhat later, Christianity began to become the state religion in the Roman Empire. At that time, it was no longer necessary to talk about the protest character of Christianity, on the contrary, it began to play the role of unification for the peoples of a particular country, recognizing this religion as a state religion.
Later, Christianity began to disintegrate into various branches - Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Protestantism. Here politics has already played a significant role. The rulers of states did not want to influence the affairs of the Pope of Rome or anyone else, and some of the churches got out of the control of the Vatican and other Christian centers.
Every third inhabitant of the planet today considers himself a Christian. Among Christianity, the most numerous branch is Catholicism.
In the Middle Ages, the power of the church in Europe was great. Perhaps this is the time of the greatest influence of Christianity on society. Then everyone from ordinary people to great scientists had to reckon with the opinion of the church, risking in case of disobedience to be burned at the stake.
Impact of other religions on society
The second largest religion in the world is Islam. At the very beginning of his appearance, he allowed the Arabs from a number of scattered tribes to become perhaps the most significant force of their time. The Arab state occupied the territory from the Arabian Peninsula to the Iberian Peninsula.
In those countries where Islam is the state religion, it plays a very significant role. In Iran, for example, priests have more power than civil rulers. In Saudi Arabia and the emirate of Sharjah in the UAE, the population lives according to Sharia law. In Egypt, Afghanistan and many other countries, residents are also guided by the Koran in many everyday affairs.
Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and many other religions also have a significant impact on the life of society in specific regions. In general, all religions show the world moral norms that are designed to stop people from evil deeds.
Almost 10% of the world's inhabitants consider themselves non-religious, but this does not mean that religion cannot indirectly influence their lives.
Unfortunately, it is not without the fact that some powers that be use incorrect interpretations of religious teachings for their own selfish purposes.
