Peter Berger's Four Existential Imperatives

Religion, as defined by Dr. Mike, “is a social institution set up to fill our need to know by answering the big questions of our existence.” This explanation is penetrating, insightful, and valuable in providing a sense of understanding not only what religion is, but also why it is so significant to our societies. It provokes thought and provides a basic level of discernment regarding religion from both a sociologic perspective and that of merely, an average human being. This definition helps us understand that religion provides a sense of community, a sense of purpose, and a sense of direction for people in life.
As a socially constructed institution religion mirrors the societies from which it materializes but also contributed to the very
People want to know their significance to the world. It is part of the human condition to desire meaning. Without it, life is a void, apathetic, existential crisis: utterly meaningless. The thought of being born simply to engage in the predictable routine of life and then die is a hard concept for anyone to come to grips with; having faith and believing in an afterlife provides an optimistic outlook for what can often be a monotonous reality. To feel that you are a child of God here on earth to do his bidding, should live your life righteously, and that if you do eternal life and happiness awaits you, is comforting. In my own experience, the idea that this life is so precious and yet so temporary is unnerving. At any given moment, the relationships that you build with loved ones, any success you may have achieved, and the person that you have grown to become, can be extracted from this earth; as a human, that thought is frightening. Many people fear death or at least fear the unknown, myself included, so although religion may not provide concrete answers, it does provide a sense of
While free will is a factor for humanity, the belief that our evil thoughts and actions have harsh consequences, and that our good thoughts and actions have pronounced rewards, undoubtedly plays a role in how we think and behave. Knowledge of what is right and what is wrong is evident within the human mind, but truth varies from person to person, existing only in one's most inner level of consciousness. Just because something seems right in your eyes, does not necessarily mean that it will be right in the view of another. Religion helps to shape our understanding of what is acceptable human behavior. My best friend is a follower of Islam and has explained to me on occasion that individual acts of kindness, considered “good deeds,” solidify a place in heaven for the good doer's soul. One example she provided stands out particularly in my memory: a mother who raises a child with mental disabilities, and does so with love, is guaranteed this reward. While one could argue that this is a natural act of humanity and display of our species knowledge of what is right and wrong, it demonstrates that validation for ethical practices is still a human desire. Without the guidelines for what is regarded as morally correct provided by religion, barbarity or animalistic nature in people