Functions and dysfunctions of Religion: 

1. Religion is functional because it binds people in a moral community. It integrates society. It produces the feeling of we-ness, one-ness and solidarity. Later, sociologists also pointed out that religion is an important instrument of social control. It provides a blueprint of the society, for example, the case of caste system. Hinduism is the basis of the caste System.

2. Although this theory is still respected, sociologists also say that it is applicable to those societies that have a single religion. It is here that religion can produce social integration. But, it may not be the case in societies having two or more different types of religion. In these societies, religion may also create conflicts between the believers of different religions. Thus, in these cases, religion may also become dysfunctional.

3. Today, religion performs as it has always performed, an important function of providing explanations of various phenomena to the individual. Religion provides a set of ready-made answers to various 'why' questions, that is, those questions that science in its existing state of knowledge cannot satisfactorily answer. Why religion is universal can be answered by saying that religion provides answers to various questions that individuals raise about their lives, and various accidental and unanticipated situations they face.

4. But we should not conclude by saying that religion is functional to all societies at all points of time. Rather, it is most vulnerable to politicization. Various communities have manipulated it to suppress other communities and to spread hatred between them. Religion has also been used for seeking political support.