To start with, Religion is a cultural phenomenon that shapes the society of which it forms part. That is, religion is an important factor in the development of the society. That's why if we want to know how a society is, we should study to what extent religion influences on it.
Up to the 18th century, religion was an essential part of life in the countries now considered developed. At that time there were big changes in the society and the industrial revolution took place. One of the most significant consequences was that science adopted a more prominent role in the community and church began to miss influence.
Moreover a process of secularization that has lasted until now started. The social impact of this process on developed countries was really intense, among other things, the family begun to lose its importance as core of the society, women abandoned their traditional role and started to focus on their professional life, religion became in something private and so on.
On the other hand, these changes haven't happened in underdeveloped countries. The church keeps leading positions in social life and besides people is becoming more and more fanatical about religion. That's why these societies are impervious to change and they haven't advanced in many social aspects. In the last decades they even justify war in name of God.
Eventually, it is obvious it is very difficult to foresee that will happen in the future. In my view, what is going to happen with religion in the future depends on two factors: economic performance and education of the people and if the country is or not developed doesn't matter.
So if these two factors improve, religion will cut down its importance in the society and the secularization and even the atheism will raise. On the contrary if these factors don't improve religion will be in better position even though it means a reduction of quality of life.
In conclusion it's an emergency to invest in improving education and economy in underdeveloped countries.
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