An Analytical Study on the Social Role of Religion

This is a critical discourse that dwells on the social roles of religion in modern society, and specifically the Sri Lankan Buddhist customs. Religion is a diverse institutional system that has essential social functions such as judicial and regulatory functions on par with legal systems, family and community level conflict resolution, social services, educational and healthcare provision, and it also provides individuals with a life purpose, meaning, psychological resilience to endure the unavoidable human patterns of suffering, pain, hardship and death. The research problem addresses how effectively traditional social functions of religion operate within contemporary social systems. Using a primary source methodology that incorporates both quantitative and qualitative data analysis, supported by comparative discussions of secondary sources, including commentaries (Aṭṭhakathā), Sinhala and English literature, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and journals, this study aims to critically analyze the social functions of religion and determine their effectiveness and relevance in modern society. The investigation reveals that religion functions as a comprehensive institution performing educational, healthcare, social welfare, cultural, and moral guidance roles, particularly in the Sri Lankan context where Theravāda Buddhism has continuously promoted social integration and cooperation while preserving national culture, arts, linguistic traditions, and historical heritage since its introduction in the 3rd century BCE. The contemporary challenges, however, such as globalization, secularization, technologies, and shift of generational values have posed constraints in the flexibility of the religious bodies and institutions, which then lead to decline in the impact of the religious values, the expansion of the intergenerational gaps in terms of religious knowledge, the limited availability of resources against social services, and the difficulty of encouraging interfaith collaboration. The research finds that religious education needs to be revitalized by the use of both traditional and modern educational methods, improved use of technology to communicate about and deliver religious services, further encouragement of interfaith discussion and collaboration, invention of religiously related responses to modern challenges like environmental concerns and social injustice, and the establishment of youth-related religious activities are necessary to ensure religious social relevance in the 21st century.