One could, for instance, examine the role that the authority structures of the Catholic Church have had in shaping the formation of societies and they way that they function. This form of analysis can also be extended to other religions - such as the role of power and conflict in a Muslim world and the role that religion plays in the coercive structures of many Middle Eastern societies.

On the other hand, one can also use the theoretical and methodological tools that are provided by structural functional theory to analyze the way that religious institutions act as an integrative and cohesive structure in society. This could also be extended to less prolific but influential religion such as the Mormon Church that helped to shape society and integrate people in regions of the United States.

Interactionist theory also provides a very useful method of analyzing the way that various religious groupings...
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