We all have some experience with religion. Whether our parents are religious, our views religious, or others trying to convert you to a religion, we have all come into contact with a religion. But what do sociology and religion have to do with each other? The answer to this question is that religion meets sociology in the effects it has on an individual or a society (Schaefer, Richard T, 2009, p. 323). What is a religion? A religion is defined by Richard Schaefer as a unified system of beliefs and practices that relate to what is held sacred (Schaefer, Richard T, 2009, p. 323). There are many religions in the world, such as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and so on, and although all these different religions are very different, they all have similar components (Schaefer, Richard T, 2009, pg 325-326 , 330) . It is these components that make up a religion and they are the beliefs which are also the affirmations of the members, the rituals which are the practices required for the member to perform, and the experiences which are the sensation of being in contact with the divine (Schaefer, Richard T , 2009, page 331). No matter what religion you belong to, these will be present. Religions are also organized. Some countries have an ecclesia, or national religion, while others only have denominations that are divisions within a religion that is not part of a government (Schaefer, Richard T, 2009, pg 331). There are also religious sects which are small religious groups that have broken away from a larger religious group (Schaefer, Richard T, 2009, p. 33). There are also sects that are often a secret group that presents itself as a religion (Schaefer, Richard T, 2009, p. 334-335). Within these different… half of the article… Ichard T, 2009, Sociology A Brief Introduction, pages 14, 323-337 Stevens, William J, 2008, Religion: A Functionalist Assessment, retrieved from http: / /www.helium.com/items/841304-religion-a-functionalist-assessmentBrahm, Eric, 2005, Religion and Conflect, excerpted from http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/religion_and_conflect/?nid=6725Newberg, Andrew, 2011, Religious experiences shrink part of the brain, retrieved from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=religious-experiences-shrink-part-of-brainBarkan, Steve, na, Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World, retrieved from http://www.flatworldknowledge.com/pub/1.0/sociology-understanding-and-ch/364125Brunner, Christian Dr, 2011, The Function and Dysfunctionof Religion in our Secular State, retrieved from http:/ /www.beyondintractability.org/essay/religion_and_conflect/