Emil Durkheim's elementary forms of religious life present religion as a social phenomenon. Based on this idea, this essay will examine the role of religion and its influence on society. Durkheim defines religion as “a unified system of beliefs and practices relating to sacred things, that is to say, to things set apart and forbidden – beliefs and practices which unite in a single moral community called the Church, all those who adhere to it. »1 This is why Durkheim emphasizes the function of religion as a unifier of individuals. To illustrate his theory of religion, Durkheim then presents the totemism of the Australian Aborigines as an example of fundamental and primitive religion. He then explains how religious beliefs and rituals evolve from society. If Durkheim's theory of religion is valid and religion is in fact a social phenomenon, it follows that religion has a function and is therefore necessary to society. In other words, society creates religion, and neither can exist without the other. In summary, the function of religion is to provide a community with a system of shared beliefs and activities that may or may not be functional. One of the major roles of religion in society is to promote social integration by strengthening the bonds between the individual and society. Durkheim emphasizes the communal aspect of religion, explaining how humans arrive at a common truth through communal activities. These activities integrate individuals into a single moral community. The faith of the individual flows from the faith of the community, and the social structure shapes the content of religious beliefs and practices. Additionally, religion provides emotional security to individuals through community living...... middle of article...... religious life explains how religious beliefs and practices unite practitioners into one single moral community and how unification is necessary for society. Religion is indeed functional in terms of order and sense of belonging and identity to individuals. Although religion has been used to manipulate people throughout history and has not always had a positive impact on societies, it cannot be denied that it has great power to create in individuals a feeling acceptance and social coherence. Works Cited Aldridge, Alan. Religion in the contemporary world. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Polity Press, 2007. Print. Durkheim, Emile. The elementary forms of religious life. Trans. Joseph W. Swain. 7th ed. London: Novello and Company Limited, 1971. “Totemism” print. British. Internet. January 19, 2010.600496/totemism>.