Religion, as defined by Webster's Dictionary, is the belief in and respect for a supernatural power accepted as the creator and ruler of the universe (Houghton Mifflin, 2001). That said, there is no commonly accepted definition of religion. Different people and different experts have different views of religion. Many people associate religion with belief in some entity generally described as God. But then different religions and even people who belong to a formally defined religion may have different views on the nature of God. The only common point among all religions is that they are all directed at guiding individual behavior in directions that should lead to their personal good as well as that of society at large. Unlike other social institutions, however, history has shown that religion can unite people globally (Powell, 2009). Whether your experience is limited to diversity within the United States of America or first-hand observations abroad, religion, or opinions of some kind, religion is instilled and deeply rooted in all people. In a functionalist view religion provides focus and purpose to a society and aids its leadership in controlling the society. In other words, it helps the company stay on the path that its leadership deems important or appropriate. Practicing, praying, or preaching a religious belief contributes to the norms of a society, perhaps most importantly to the mores of a society (Schaefer, 2009). Since religion itself usually instructs its followers to practice peace ideologies and be subservient to their god and leaders, this helps society to be passive globally. Many religions practiced today are steeped in customs, traditions, and… middle of paper… religion is actually a way of explaining the universe and how you should live your life. Whether your experience with religion is limited or extensive, it plays an important role in how you live in your society. This is where the laws and rules of your government originated, and it is deeply rooted in how you treat and view people in your community or culture. Works Cited Houghton Mifflin. (2001). Webster's II Dictionary of New College. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.Powell, J. M. (2009, April). The Catholic historical revision. THE CRUSADES IN RECENT RESEARCH, pp. 313-319. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION. (2009). Journal of Psychology and Theology, 37(1), 72. Retrieved April 21, 2009, from the ProQuest Religion database. (Document ID: 1675034711).Seed, J. (2010). Marx: Guides for the Perplexed. London: Continuum International Publishing