Social Functions of Religion from the Perspective of Imamis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Student in Theological Religions, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Theological Religions, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran

Abstract

In today's world, there are many doubts and questions about religion, and raising the issue of the inefficiency of religion in society is the purpose of some of these discussions. Explaining the social functions of religion is a response to the above doubts. Imami theologians have long tried to dispel these doubts and prove the social functions of religion by stating the benefits of the advent of prophets and the effects of religion on human life.
The present research, using a library study method, seeks to address the question: What are the social functions of religion from the perspective of the Imamis? Early theologians of the Imamiyyah, while discussing the benefits of the advent of prophets or the effects of faith, have generally answered the question, but contemporary Imami theologians, by expressing the functions of various sciences such as psychology, sociology, etc. for human social life, have enumerated examples of social functions for man. After examining the examples and proofs in Imami sources, it can be said that this group of thinkers believe in the maximum function of religion in human society.

Keywords


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