Final answer:
Religion plays multiple roles in society, including providing social support, fostering cohesion, promoting social control, and serving as a filter for examining other issues. It also helps maintain patterns of social inequality.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Richard Hoggart, religion plays multiple roles in society. It can provide social support and networking, foster group cohesion and integration, and promote social control by reinforcing social norms. Religion also serves as a filter for examining other issues in society, such as promoting religious tolerance and preventing stereotyping. Additionally, religion can be seen as an institution that helps maintain patterns of social inequality. Overall, religion plays a significant role in shaping individuals' lives and influencing society as a whole.