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UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS 57 Religion cannot be studied as a VI separate entity. Social forces always and invariably influence religious EDUCATION institutions.Politicaldebates,economic situations and gender norms will Education is a life–long process, involving both formal and informal always influence religious behaviour. institutions of learning. Here we are Conversely, religious norms influence however confining ourselves only to and sometimes even determine social school education. We are all aware how understanding. Women constitute half important getting admission into a of the world’s population. Sociologically schoolis.Wealsoknow,formanyofus, therefore it becomes important to ask school is a step towards higher what relationship this vast segment of education and finally employment. For human population has with religion. some of us it may mean acquiring some Religion is an important part of society necessarysocialskills.Whatiscommon and is inextricably tied to other parts. in all cases is that there is a felt need The task of sociologists is to unravel for education. these various interconnections. In Sociology understands this need as traditional societies, religion usually a process of transmission/commu- plays a central part in social life. nication of group heritage that is Religious symbols and rituals are often common to all societies. There is a integratedwiththematerialandartistic qualitative distinction between simple culture of society. Read the extract societies and complex, modern which is given below in the box to get a societies. Inthecaseoftheformerthere sense of how sociology studies religion. was no need for formal schooling. Many extraneous factors have affected the traditional lives of the religious specialists. The most important of these are the growth of new employment and educational opportunities in Nasik... after Independence, the way of life of the priests has been changing fast. Now the sons and daughters are sent to school, and are trained for jobs other than traditional ones… Like all places of pilgrimage, Nasik also gave rise to supplementary centres around religious activities. It was a normal routine for a pilgrim to take home the sacred water of the Godavari in a copper pot. The coppersmiths provided these wares. The pilgrims also bought wares, which they took home to be distributed as gifts among their relatives and friends. For long Nasik was known for its proficient craftsmen in brass, copper and silver... Since the demand for their wares is intermittent and uncertain, not all the adult males can be supported by this occupation... Many craftsmen have entered industry and business-both small and large scale (Acharya 1974:399-401). Reprint 2026-27