Final answer:
Religion significantly shapes both individual behavior and cultural norms across societies. Even for those without religious affiliations, the broader societal observance of religious practices can impact daily routines. Sociological research helps shed light on the profound role of religion in social dynamics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Religion deeply influences behavior and culture, acting as a pervasive and enduring element across societies. With the majority of the world's population associating themselves with a religious group, religious practices and beliefs shape the daily life, laws, ethical standards, customs, and even holidays of a society. The impact of religion extends beyond personal belief systems as it is embedded within the collective social experience, influencing even those who are not religiously affiliated.
One manifestation of the influence of religion on behaviour is the observation of religious holidays by societies at large, regardless of individual beliefs. For example, the observance of Christmas, rooted in Christianity, affects everyone in a society where it is officially recognized, with closings of schools and businesses that alter people's daily routines. This demonstrates that religion invariably impacts the social structure and collective behavior of a community.
Every society throughout history has developed some form of religious tradition, which speaks to the universality of the religious experience. Despite the slow pace of change associated with religious institutions compared to others like economy, religion shows adaptability by reflecting the realities of daily lives and integrating new practices while preserving the old.