Religion has been known to reinforce social inequalities of all kinds since time immemorial. It promotes social, political, economic, and cultural conflicts. The famous statement of Karl Marx's religion is the opiate to the masses' puts it well. It's an overview of how religion makes people happy and comfortable in their state instead of fighting for their rights.

As much as all that is true, religion has also contributed immensely to the development of society. It's like a buffer necessary for a settled mind body and soul.

1RELIGION AND ECONOMIC EQUALITY

Karl Marx strongly believed that the masses should rise against the bourgeoisie. That the overthrow of the bourgeoisie would mean economic freedom. The bourgeoisie is the ones who exploit the proletariat making them poor. Karl Marx believed that religion like opium made the masses happy and comfortable in the existing conditions. Religious demands like if you do not work you should not eat or their riches are stored in heaven made the proletariat complacent in their poor dates.

Religion blinds them into believing that their poverty is God's will and that there is a reward in heaven rather than seeing that capitalism is taking advantage of them and is the cause of their deprivation. They do not realize that their poverty is stemming from exploitation by the bourgeoisie and should revolt against them. They find solace and reasons from religion and hence perpetrated the rich to remain rich and the poor to remain poor.

2RELIGION AND GENDER EQUALITY

Religion has been over the years the main propellant for gender inequalities. Religious texts more often than not endorse masculinity and women to a lower position than men. Religion also demands women be subordinate to their husbands no matter what.

The faith in most parts of the world does not treat women equally. Most do not allow women to be religious leaders. Others view them as unclean or unworthy of some seats in the religious setting. It mandates that a husband should lead and the woman should follow. Inequality and religion also depict when a woman's voice is not hard regardless of the situation.

New reports going to the 1990s indicate cases of sexual abuse among women and girls in at least a few churches. Many cases were not reported as the church leadership happens, in most cases to be male-dominated, and did not do anything. The reported cases were either dismissed or nothing much was done. These women and girls were dismissed or compelled to silence.

3RELIGION AND POVERTY

Does religion ease the burden of poverty or do poor societies seek comfort in religion? Poverty is a human condition that can either be perpetrated by religion or other factors.

Religion plays a key role in poverty prominence as it can redirect human thoughts and beliefs, and it can influence their response to poverty making people complacent in their state with an afterlife as an end. Religion also perpetuates acts of generosity to unreasonable limits. On the other hand, religious groups have been known to play a key vital role in society towards poverty alleviation and improvement of the overall society. So many schools and organizations meant for human advancement have been associated with religious organizations. Many churches, for instance, sponsor schools of all levels, bursaries, and free education to children all over the world.

Religion also encourages and teaches hard work within society, it teaches the virtue of working hard that helps progress society. It provides ethical fiber to society to respond appropriately to poverty. Most religious affiliations are of the nation of generosity. They teach and believe in sharing and helping those in need. This motivation makes organizations and individuals work with poor communities in any form be it charitable, political, or professional help. This act is more on the ethical conduct mandated by religion.

Its impact is ingrained in our political, economic, and social configurations benefiting whole societies. The political and economic organizations present in current societies can be traced back to ancient religious organizations and it gives human beings direction and guidance.

[4]RELIGION AND SOCIETY]

Society is the aggregate people, a community. Religion act as a fabric to keep society intact. Sociologists study religion because that is the core glue to the stability of societies. It gives meaning and purpose to human existence and gives reason and a place for human beings in this universe. Society is all about the relationship among members.Be it economic, political, or any other cultural aspects. Religion dictates how is respond to these facets of our lives. Religion has for example ethically required us not to steal and the violation is punishable. It teaches and inoculated one into adopting good relations with others. It forms the personal moral and sound judgment direction.

The values and beliefs credited to religion have shaped the development of human societies. It brings social solidarity, the togetherness of individuals who share a belief is so strong they identify with each other.

Religion on the other side has caused so much harm over the centuries. Many wars have been associated to different religious affiliations. Somehow, a person from a different religious belief is the enemy, their views of life and their social expectations are different and somehow cannot be withstood. The outcome of this can be as extreme as war. Religion is both a good influence and a bad influence depending on how the person takes it.

5RELIGION AND MODERN SOCIETIES

Society has changed over the centuries. A lot of things have modified and the perception of life has also shifted. As society changes religion works towards solving the new arising issues that come with the modern world.

It serves to augment social unity and stability and social control through its moral compass has encompassed in society. Religion is at the center stage for social advancement. It directly influences man who is the key player in society. It strengthens people, households, communities, and societies. Its clasp on all sectors of life; education, economy, and politics is a force to reckon with.

"Religion provides people with a lot more than just explanations for the natural world", Schwadel Philip from the University of Nebraska says. "It provides community, it provides them with friends, it provides them with psychological support and economic support. It provides a lot more than simply an understanding of where they are about the afterlife."

As much as it unravels afterlife problems, religion also helps solve current problems in this world.