Religion develops fanatic attitude and so the person is not prepared to listen to reason or to anything which may be contrary to his belief. So like an opium addict, he develops what may be called buffalo-headedness, he will become immune to reason and proof to persuasion.
In India there are a large number of religions and some of them are basically opposed to other religions. If politics centers round religions there will be fragmentation of the country.
Science takes the help of religion and practical application in order to give credit to conclusions whereas religion recommends blind belief and complete faith in its basic principles.
In the Indian way of life religion plays an important role and the basis of our day-to-day life is religion. Political leaders right from the beginning felt that if there is any possibility of retaining unity in India, it should be by remaining secular.
Religion plays a significant role both for individual and Society. It has both positive and negative functions. As far as positive functions are concerned religion provides mental peace to the individuals, it inculcates social virtues, it promotes social solidarity, it humanized the animal in man, it is an agent of socialization, its promotes welfare, it gives recreation, it influences economy, it influences the political system and strengthens self confidences.
Along with the positive functions religion has also some negative functions or dysfunctions. Some of the main negative functions of religion are as follows:
Human life is uncertain. He struggles for his survival amidst the uncertainties, insecurities and dangers, Some-times he feels helplessness. It is the religion which consoles and encourages him in all such time of crisis.
Every religion believes in the existence of some supernatural powers or forces. Some consider this supernatural power as formless. They believe that this unseen power influences every aspect of human life. Belief in the supernatural powers varies from one religion to another.
Religion is one of the earliest important institutions of human society. Both human society and the human life whether primitive or modern is marked the influence of religion. It is universal, permanent, pervasive and perennial interests of human being.
Most of these reform movements had certain limitations. The questions to which they gave primacy concerned only small sections of Indian society.