Need for religion in modern society: With an emphasis on law and morality

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

M.A. in Sociology

Abstract

The present paper tries to prove the need of modern
society to religion and reject the view that man does not
need to religion. The subject has various dimensions which
cannot be dealt with here. Thus, the paper is limited to need
of modern society to religion in the realm of law and
morality. As in traditional societies law was based on
religion, in modern societies, too, making and maintaining
law are in need of religion and despite the claims made
rationality is not sufficient. Morality, too, as a necessary
need of the modern world, is dependant on religion.
Religion has a significant role in giving meaning to moral
principles, identifying, and supporting them. Modern
rationality is incapable of organizing man’s life in different
realms such as law and morality because of the practical
reason’s being under the influence of human desires, the
destructive aftermaths of instrumental reason, man and his
social life being still unknown, ignoring the direct and
indirect influences of religion on forming the positive
dimensions of modern civilization, ignoring the real life of
man, and reducing life to a mere material life.

Keywords