The most compelling reason to study religion today For me, the word "religion" conjures up images of fat, crying women, dressed in their Sunday best, who they sing at the top of their lungs about the glory of God. Of course, this image comes from my childhood, when I attended the New Testament Church of God in Jamaica every Sunday, rain or shine, with my grandmother. For her, the Church, Christianity and God were a way of life; a set of principles he believed in and lived by. For others less convinced, the idea of ​​religion or "being religious" is as far-fetched as that of aliens and UFOs. Over the centuries, religion has played an important role in shaping the political landscape of most modern societies, and one reason to study religion is to understand how and why some societies developed the way they do. The Church – used here in generic terms – was often married to the way rulers administered laws and punishments. Some often used the church to rob people of their wealth and to gain their loyalty through fear. While other rulers such as Henry VIII manipulated the religious order of the time by breaking away from the Catholic Church and forming a new Church of England so he could marry his mistress. For the most part, Islam is a way of life revered by its followers but according to Laura Hayes, when the Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, they controlled 90% of the country's territory and their policies – including the treatment of women and support for terrorists – ostracized them from the world community. The Taliban considered themselves mujahideen or holy warriors of the Islamic faith....... middle of paper... of the people". Religion and politics have closed the circle since in today's society there are laws that regulate the recognition of a new " religion." For example, a legitimate religion has the right to claim tax exemption and must promote the moral and spiritual well-being of the community. It is my opinion that, although there are other reasons to study religion, by far the greatest reason convincing is to better understand and accommodate the diversity of modern society. Bibliography Atkins, Peter quoted in Poole, Michael.Lion Publishing.1990The interpretation of history by MM Karl Mason, Claire New Religious Movements: The Impact on Our Lives. WhiteThompson Publishing Limited.2003Pfeffer, Leo. Quoted in New Religious Movements: The Impact on Our Lives.