Final answer:
In Late Antiquity, religious beliefs provided shared values that helped unify diverse groups while also causing divisions due to differing interpretations and conflicts over religious dogma.
Step-by-step explanation:
Religious beliefs served as both unifying and divisive factors in Late Antiquity. On one hand, they provided shared values and identity, as individuals came to see themselves as part of a broader religious community rather than solely as citizens of a particular location or empire. This sense of belonging could cross geographical and cultural boundaries, uniting people from different regions. On the other hand, religious beliefs sparked conflicts over dogma and interpretation, which could divide believers into opposing groups and sects, leading to social conflict and even wars. The correct response to how religious beliefs served in Late Antiquity is a) They provided shared values while also sparking conflicts over dogma.
Examples of unifying aspects include the way Christianity helped to unify 'Western Civilization' similarly to how Roman culture had previously. Conversely, debates about Christian orthodoxy and the nature of Jesus led to divisions within the faith itself. Additionally, the establishment of state-sponsored religions and the politicization of religious policy further both unified and divided people along religious lines.