Man's relationship with a higher being, if there is such a thing, is a very controversial issue. A person's beliefs can cause them to do and say things that someone with different beliefs would not say or do. Some people believe in several gods while some believe in just one God. And there are those who don't believe in any form of a higher being. People with these different beliefs can all lead relatively normal and similar ways of life, but in most cases man's relationship with a higher being influences man's beliefs, decisions, and way of life. This gives an excellent explanation of why there are so many different belief systems in the world. Religion means different things to different people. The purpose of religion is summed up well in the book The Worlds Religions: Understanding the Living Faiths, by Peter B. Clarke. The purpose of religion according to Emile Durkheim, a distinguished French scholar and sociologist (1858-1917), is given as: "Religion has two main functions "congnititve" and practical. By cognitive Durkheim meant that religion makes the world intelligible to people, providing them with their notions of time and space, cause and effect, and the ability to think about and understand the nature of society and the world. Religions practical function, helping people to conduct their lives, would continue to be of the utmost importance. Through its various rituals, religion releases energy within the committed followers of a religion in a particular community. This energy gives rise to a sense of security, happiness, belonging and inner strength." (Clarke 13). Durkheim is saying that religion gives man an explanation for things in life that can't be explained while providing a strong sense of belonging and a firm belief system. Religion helps man to make decisions and it provides support and guidance throughout life. This applies to all religions. Even religions that are completely opposite share many of the same traits and ideas.
