Society

A society is a group of individuals involved in persistent social interaction, or a large social group sharing the same geographical or social territory, typically subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations.

The term “society” came from the Latin word societas, used to describe a bond or interaction between parties that are friendly, or at least civil. Without an article, the term can refer to the entirety of humanity, although those who are unfriendly or uncivil to the remainder of society in this sense may be deemed to be “antisocial”. However, the Scottish economist, Adam Smith taught instead that a society “may subsist among different men, as among different merchants, from a sense of its utility without any mutual love or affection, if only they refrain from doing injury to each other.”

Used in the sense of an association, a society is a body of individuals outlined by the bounds of functional interdependence, possibly comprising characteristics such as national or cultural identity, social solidarity, language, or hierarchical structure.

Sociologist Peter L. Berger defines society as “…a human product, and nothing but a human product, that yet continuously acts upon its producers.” According to him, society was created by humans but this creation turns back and creates or molds humans every day.

Relationship between Religion and Society

1. Code of Conduct: Both religion and society have laws, rules and regulations which govern the behaviours of the people coming under these umbrellas. Different religions for example have their laws codified in different platforms, the law of the society is couched in constitutions.
2. Mental security: Man constantly suffers each passing day from strife in order to survive. There and then, both religion and Society come to play to rescue man. Both serve as his abode and as such, provide mental peace for him.
3. Adherents: Both Religion and Society have adherents; people who stay under their umbrellas and are guided by their tenets and instructions.
4. Beliefs: This serves to be the basis of both parties. Both religion and society exist based on certain doctrines and beliefs alike. These beliefs thus are strictly enforced on the adherents stated above.
5. Religion is practised in society.
6. Religion forms a society: This factor may seem complex but on efforts made, it’s been agreed upon that through Religion, societies of people in good union come into existence. This, religion serves sometimes as the ground for the existence of a particular Society.