Religion effects the lives of its followers by...

1. Understanding of life

1.1. What religion you follow will also affect your understanding of life. For example Christians understanding of life from the new testament implies that if you live a good life, and focus on what you need to focus on, it will reward you. In the 12th testament it says "Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so prosecuted they the prophets which were before you." I can tell that this is basically saying that if you live a good life following the christian morals then you will be rewarded in the afterlife. You will get a good life in heaven.

2. Sense of belonging

2.1. Most followers of a religion want to belong in the religion. They want to be respected and on the top of the social pyramid. Many followers of Hinduism look to the Hindu caste system. They want to be somewhere like Brahmins or Kshatrivas because those are the top two, the most respected. The Brahmins are priests, they feel it is important to be priest because they speak the word of god. Priests are respected, and higher above all.

3. Moral Code

3.1. What religion you follow will generally affect how you live the most. Christians and Jews live a more relaxed life than Muslims will because The ten commandments which Christians and Jews follow are less strict than the five pillars of faith which Muslims follow. The 4th pillar of faith states, "A Muslim must fast for the month of Ramadan. During the fasting month, one must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual intercourse from dawn until sunset." This is very strict because you cannot eat for a whole month. The ten commandment basically state: I am The Lord, I am your god, you follow me. You won't have any other gods. You will not use God's name in vain. Worship on Sunday. Honor and respect your parents. Should not kill. Do not cheat on your partner. Do not steal. You shall not blame or lie about others. You shall not be greedy. If you follow these rules then you will be in the right moral code for your religion.