In all its forms, Durkheim pointed out three major functions of religion for the operation of society. These are Social Cohesion, Social Control, and Providing Meanings and Purpose. According to him, every society uses religious imagery and rhetoric to promote conformity. Societies infuse many cultural norms-especially mores relating to marriage and reproduction-with religious justification. Looking beyond behavioural norms, religion confers legitimacy on the political system. In medieval Europe, in fact, monarchs claimed to rule by divine right. Few of today’s political leaders invoke religion so explicitly, but many publicly as for God’s blessing, to imply audiences that their e orts are right and just.