Final answer:
Religion helps maintain social order by facilitating social interaction, fostering group cohesion, and promoting social control.
Step-by-step explanation:
From a functionalist perspective, religion helps maintain social order by providing opportunities for social interaction, social support, and the formation of groups. It fosters group cohesion and integration, reinforces social norms, and can create a sense of in-group versus out-group dynamics. Religion also promotes social control by regulating behaviors and reinforcing values.