The Influence of Religious Beliefs on Social Behavior and Community Cohesion

Abstract

Purpose: The general objective of this study was to investigate the influence of religious beliefs on social behaviour and community cohesion. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the influence of religious beliefs on social behaviour and community cohesion. Preliminary empirical review revealed that religious beliefs had a profound impact on social behavior and community cohesion, acting as both a unifying and dividing force. While shared religious practices fostered strong internal cohesion and promoted prosocial behaviors, they also led to social fragmentation and exclusion due to in-group favoritism and out-group discrimination. The study highlighted the importance of inclusive policies and interfaith initiatives to mitigate these negative effects and promote mutual understanding. Ultimately, it emphasized the need to balance the positive contributions of religion to social cohesion with efforts to minimize its divisive impacts, fostering more harmonious communities. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Social Identity Theory, Theory of Planned Behaviour and Social Capital Theory may be used to anchor future studies on the influence of religious beliefs on social behaviour and community cohesion. This study suggested expanding existing theories to better account for the diverse impacts of religious beliefs, fostering inclusive religious practices through interfaith dialogue, and developing policies to promote religious tolerance and cooperation. The study also emphasized the importance of community engagement through interfaith activities, addressing social exclusion by ensuring inclusivity, and implementing ongoing monitoring and evaluation to sustain positive impacts. These recommendations aimed to enhance theoretical frameworks, practical initiatives, and policy measures to maximize the beneficial effects of religious beliefs on social cohesion.