The Socioeconomic Benefits Of Organized Religion

Throughout human existence, religion has prevailed as a constant driving force of human existence. Its immense influence on society however, has begun to shift in the face of modern medicine and the discovery of complex scientific theories. This shift may be cause for concern for the devoutly religious, but the undeniable advantages that religion presents remains steadfast. Organized religion and the variety of socioeconomic benefits which follow it still distinctly impresses positive effects upon the modern world. The continuing practice of religion throughout the world today proves to be a beneficial and constructive part of society. It allows for communal growth, a fundamental system of ethics, and improves the lives of those that practice

For one, religion offers a safer environment for all people, both mentally and physically allowing for communal growth. It fosters a sense of general wellbeing amongst its practitioners due to the feelings of comfort that accompany it. Religious involvement “consistently decreases levels of deviance and crime” (Lewis) in the communities that practice it. These social benefits provide economic value to their surrounding societies as well, as “decreased levels of deviance aid in bringing about social order” (Lewis). This in turn fuels the productivity of a community. Others may argue that these same benefits may be provided through the means of science, proclaiming that science imparts “an orderly and predictable view of the natural world” (Lombrozo) to the human race, rivaling the comfort that religion brings. Not only that, science presents the ability to form independent thoughts while religion simply furthers the human race on a path to becoming more “vulnerable to infection by mind viruses” (Dawkins). Through the metaphors of computer viruses, those that are only capable of obedience will not be able to interpret a command as good or bad, also

The mere existence of organized religion in contemporary civilizations aids in the development of superior human beings. Those that practice religion are found to display a “more considered view… for others” (Sacks). This could be described as thinking slowly. Religion “reconfigures neural pathways, turning altruism into instinct” (Sacks) permitting humanity to reinforce its societal virtue. The opposing description of thinking slowly, or “fast thoughts” would include the instinctive motion for self-preservation. Science trusts in the usefulness of being selfish in terms of human survival. The contention could be made that in order to survive, one must not dwell on ethics, but instead focus on the first thoughts of self-preservation. Altruism cannot possibly be important in the face of life or death, and the impact of religion has “short-lived effects” (Shariff), making the practice of religion incredibly disadvantageous, and not worthwhile. This potentially may have been true in the past, where survival and the endurance of the human race was questionable, but those priorities have adapted along with the times. In the present day, the world strives for more than just to simply live on, mankind has begun to aim for higher principles. An updated moral character that religion helps bring