The socialogy of God

Blog a critical paragraph (150-200 words) on the common basis of religion. What is it? What does it produce?

What is the common basis of religion? From the reading, specifically page 33, I have two answers- certain beliefs held by the users of the religion, and that all the users perform all the necessary rituals collectively perform. In the reading, it breaks the two certain beliefs into two things- sacred and profane. The difference between sacred and profane is that you as the religious user must approach the sacred item (crosses, altars, mecca, etc) with respect. All other items (profane) in the world are in their own division, just regular items and locations in the world. For the rituals of religion, the common basis is that the process of doing it the same every time, whether it be the making the cross with your hands, saying the correct words of a prayer to the same pentatonic, etc. Saying a prayer with different words every time defeats the purpose, in the sake of rituals- the journey is what matters, not just obtaining the end result by any way necessary. Answering what does the common basis of religion produce is a very complication answer. Religion produces a group to belong to, a group to adhere to the rules and regulations of the group all towards a common goal. Religion produces an identity, something that can be fought for to the death if it comes to that. People are palpable to becoming martyrs, dying for what religion produces. Religion produces social rituals, rites of acceptance that boost the confidence of the user. Most of all, you only get as much as you get out of religion of what you put in, so it can produce a reason for living for some. Religion and having something to believe in will go on forever, a feeling that someone or something is judging our every move and then writing it down for when we die and then talk to our higher power- religion produces a lifestyle, something that lives and breathes in all of us.