This article explores the impact of religion on human society and its structural similarities to modern society, explaining that religious beliefs and symbols play an important role in shaping and maintaining social order and traditions.
Religion is a form of belief that has been part of human culture for thousands of years. These beliefs are not merely spiritual in nature, but have evolved to become deeply intertwined with human social structures. How has religion survived the constant changes of generations, and how has it been able to integrate with modern society? To answer these questions, it is important to explore the role of religion and its impact on human society. In this regard, Yuval Harari’s book Homo Deus argues that the social system we have today has been shaped by fictional beliefs and religions. I agree with this. To convince you that religion has created the society we live in today, I will first explain the foundations of religion, then discuss the role of religion in modern society. Finally, I will conclude by discussing the similarities between modern society and religion.
There are many different types of religions in the world today, each with different structures, systems, and traditions that were formed in different contexts. Each religion has its own unique doctrines and practices, and follows its own strict patterns. These patterns are more than just a repetition of rituals; they serve as an important framework for defining social norms and roles that are deeply ingrained in the lives of believers. For example, in many religions, God does not exist in physical form, but belief in his existence plays an important role in sustaining and unifying society. In this context, each religion has a fictional deity that they honor, and a hierarchy of people who must obey that deity. Religions also rely on human beings who represent the gods to carry out their will. This shows that the tenets of a religion are more than just a matter of faith; they play an important role in shaping the structure and order of society.
For example, Homo Deus describes a time in ancient Egypt when the pharaoh was considered a god “While the pharaoh sits in his palace in the capital city of Memphis, eating grapes and talking with his wife and maids, his officials move the kingdom from the Mediterranean coast to the Nubian desert.” This suggests that while the gods themselves are not physically involved in religion, belief in their rituals and existence is powerful enough that it affects every aspect of society.
Looking at modern society, the world today is driven by a complex social hierarchy, which can be found in almost every aspect of human society. In companies, shops, restaurants, and manual labor, we always see a relationship between leaders and those who work under them. This relationship manifests itself in the way that certain leaders give orders, and people of lower status follow them, maintaining social order. While this structure may seem like a simple social phenomenon, it actually functions in a similar way to religious beliefs. In modern societies, while it may seem like a specific leader is giving direct orders, there is actually an ongoing systematic chain of command based on social traditions and beliefs. This chain of command plays an important role in maintaining the stability and order of a society and helps prevent its structure from collapsing.
The similarities between modern society and religion are particularly striking in that status hierarchies and social classes share the same beliefs. In both hierarchies, those in charge give orders, and those below them follow them, which keeps the entire society in order. Religious beliefs about following orders from God are also similar in modern society. In religion, gods don’t have biological forms, but people still worship them and follow their rituals. This is because people who follow these systems don’t actually need a god or leader to exist. All they need is a tradition or belief and that’s all they need to be committed to.
“In Homo Deus, Harari states. “Like Pharaoh, Elvis Presley has a biological body, complete with biological needs, desires, and emotions. “Elvis Presley eats and drinks. But Elvis Presley was more than a biological body. Like Pharaoh, Elvis Presley was a story, a myth, a brand, and that was more important than his biological body.” This book compares Pharaoh and Elvis Presley and explains how both became iconic figures in society and culture. In both religion and society, these symbolic figures are more important than physical entities. This is why the hierarchy of modern society is built and maintained on such beliefs.
Religions have symbols, such as God, that are not just abstract concepts, but are important elements that regulate society and shape experience. Even if these symbols cannot be fully interpreted or physically touched, they play an important role in shaping social behavior and norms. In modern society, there are similar concepts to God, such as the common good, justice, and freedom. Although people have strong opinions about what they mean, they are abstract concepts that we can’t directly touch. These symbols can be used as a means to demand or command certain behaviors, and as a result, they become an important part of the fabric of society. For those who are bound by symbolic systems, such a world is real, and we all live in one or more such systems. This is because it is part of the social and linguistic animal we call “human.
From this perspective, both religions and modern societies have evolved to maintain social structures based on complex systems of symbols, and these structures are deeply rooted in human beliefs and traditions, which are an important factor in their continued existence. The impact of religion on human societies is not just a matter of belief, but is significant in that it plays an important role in shaping the overall structure and function of society. How modern societies adapt to these structures and how they will continue to evolve is something that needs to be explored.
