3.2a Functions of Religion
Religion has many functions. It provides a framework that helps individuals make sense of the social and natural world, especially when life is challenging. For example, religion can provide structure for handling the loss of a loved one, that is, death rituals. That structure provides norms for what to do with a dead body, such as cremation, embalming, burial. For instance, according to the Vatican, Catholics may be cremated, but the “remains should be kept in a ‘sacred place’ such as a church cemetery” (Gallagher et al., 2016). Moreover, religion dictates how to offer comfort through funerals and mourning rituals like a Catholic wake or Jewish shiva.
Religion also gives individuals and groups a sense of belonging and identity. Religious organizations often support immigrants by helping them learn about their new culture, such as by hosting English as a second language courses in their buildings. Religion is also a means by which immigrant groups can keep their own culture. In the United States, religious groups may hold services in Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese, and other languages spoken by local immigrants.
Religion also provides norms for everyday life. Religious groups often have norms about diet, clothing, and socializing, among others. For example, Latter-day Saints’ (or Mormons’) religious texts and leaders instruct their members not to drink alcohol, coffee, and coffee-like drinks, as well as non-herbal teas (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2024).
Several major religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Sikhism, and Hinduism, expect that at least some members of the religion wear head coverings at certain times or places (see Photo 3.5). These norms provide a means by which adherents can show their religious commitment and mark their religious identities in public.
Photo 3.5
Sikh Men Wear Turbans as a Symbol of Their Religious Beliefs
While religion can provide a sense of belonging among adherents, religious norms may conflict with the law or dominant culture. For example, not all head coverings are accepted by dominant groups, with several nations passing laws to ban them. France passed a law in 2010 banning full-face veils (the burqa or niqab) in public, which disproportionately affects Muslim women (see Photo 3.6) (Human Rights Watch, 2021). The government punishes offenders with a fine and requires them to attend a class on French citizenship. Several other European and Central Asian nations have also banned or partial banned full-face veils (Silverstein, 2020; Sharma, 2025). Therefore, religion can also have dysfunctions, such as negative treatment of minority groups by the dominant group. Dysfunctions are outcomes that are harmful either to the group itself or to other groups. A dysfunction of bans on head coverings may discourage women and girls from leaving the home at all. For girls, this may mean they stay home from school.
Photo 3.6
In 2010, France Banned the Wearing of Full-Face Veils by Muslim Women in Public
