Influence Of Religion Research Articles

The Doctrine of Retribution and Religious Responses to the HIV and AIDS Pandemic

Despite many decades of interfacing with the HIV and AIDS pandemic, religious responses to the plight of the affected and infected still border on the doctrine of retribution. Some religious leaders, particularly from the Christian perspective, are still preaching about the intersection between infection and promiscuity in relation to the HIV and AIDS pandemic. Such a message from the pulpit overlooks people born with HIV infection and partners, more particularly women in long term permanent relationships including marriage, who are unknowingly infected with HIV. Additionally, religious doctrines and religious moral positions embody perceptions that regard the infected as deserving due punishment for their sins. Using desktop research and drawing from the Job narrative, our article seeks to explore the influence of religion on HIV and AIDS. It acknowledges the ambivalent interface between sexuality, gender and HIV and AIDS, taking into account how such interwoven issues affect health seeking behavior of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA). Espousing the Job narrative as wisdom in revolt, the article acknowledges the complexity of HIV infection and negates the doctrine of retribution. It concludes by proffering an alternative, holistic and sensitive theological response in the face of the HIV and AIDS pandemic.

Neither saintly nor psychotic: a narrative systematic review of the evolving Western perception of voice hearing.

We present a social-historical perspective on the evolution of the voice-hearing phenomenon in Western society. Based upon a systematic search from a selection of nine databases, we trace the way hearing voices has been understood throughout the ages. Originally, hearing voices was considered a gifted talent for accessing the divine, but the progressive influence of monotheistic religion gradually condemned the practice to social marginalization. Later, the medical and psychiatric professions of secular society were instrumental in attaching stigma to both voice hearers and the phenomenon itself, thereby reinforcing social exclusion. More recently, the re-integration of voice hearers into the community by health authorities in various countries appears to have provided a new, socially acceptable setting for the phenomenon.

Shattering the ceiling: exploring culture and religion’s impact on female empowerment in the Nigerian hospitality industry

PurposeThis study addresses the persistent impact of patriarchal societal structures on women’s empowerment in Nigeria, where social power, political authority and autonomy continue to elude them. Despite advancements made by women in workplaces worldwide, gender inequalities prevail, particularly in the Nigerian hotel industry. Existing qualitative evidence on the intersection of gender, culture and religion in shaping gender diversity and career progression within this industry remains limited. To address this gap, this study employs intersectionality and hegemonic masculinity frameworks to explore the influence of local cultures, religion and gender practices on gender imbalances in three distinct cultural settings in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachDrawing from in-depth interviews with 38 hotel workers, this research provides original insights into their lived experiences, offering a deeper understanding of the narratives underlying gender inequality statistics. By delving beyond surface-level observations, this study uncovers the multifaceted dynamics that perpetuate gender imbalances. By examining the interplay between gender, culture and religion, this research contributes to a nuanced comprehension of the factors that shape career trajectories in the Nigerian hotel industry.FindingsThe findings of this study reveal the enduring influence of patriarchal societal structures, highlighting the challenges faced by women in accessing social power, political authority and autonomy. By extending intersectionality and hegemonic masculinity approaches, this research unveils the intricate stories that illustrate the underlying complexities of gender imbalances. In doing so, it fills critical gaps in the qualitative evidence surrounding gender diversity and career progression in the Nigerian hotel industry.Originality/valueThis study is original in its comprehensive examination of the intersection of gender, culture and religion in the Nigerian hotel industry. It offers unique insights by conducting in-depth interviews with 38 hotel workers, unravelling the underlying factors contributing to gender imbalances. By extending intersectionality and hegemonic masculinity frameworks, it provides a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by women and highlights the need for tailored interventions to promote gender equality.

Do Mixed Religions Make Families More Generous? An Empirical Analysis Based on a Large-Scale Survey of Chinese Families

This study focuses on the relationship between mixed religions and family donations in China as the object of analysis, where individual donations are primarily in the form of family contributions. Although there is considerable research on the relationship between religion and individual donations, the academic community has yet to clarify the connection between mixed religions and family donations. Based on the large-scale survey data from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies, this study employs econometric models such as probit and tobit models to examine the relationship. To mitigate endogeneity and enhance the robustness of the conclusions, this research also conducts instrumental variable analysis and robustness analysis. The study finds that the influence of mixed religions on family donations is greater than that of non-mixed religions, but this influence is more pronounced in families with higher donation levels. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that mixed religions have a greater impact on donations in families headed by individuals aged 41–59, females, those with no religious affiliation, residents of urban areas, and families in the western and northeastern regions. Furthermore, the impact of mixed religions on family donations is higher only when there is a combination of one or three religions. Additional analysis indicates that households with lower educational attainment, non-Party members, individuals suffering from illnesses, and unmarried females are more likely to choose mixed religions.

Religion's influence on consumption: A life course paradigm perspective

AbstractThis article applies the life course paradigm to research on religion's influence on consumer behavior to provide an alternative perspective to theories explaining how religion influences consumption and marketing practice. While the life course paradigm has been shown to be highly influential in general consumer behavior research, this concept has been seemingly forgotten in the context of religion and consumer behavior, which is concerning given the role that religion can play in consumers' lives through various life transitions. Specifically, six major transitioning times in consumers' lives (leaving home, marriage, kids, retirement, spouse/parent death, and unexpected factors) are discussed with application to religion and consumer behavior research as well as future research directions. Discussion concludes with a call to action for more research on religion's influence on consumer behavior that is theoretically grounded utilizing the life course paradigm in an effort to more accurately understand the influence of religion on consumer behavior.

Final Goal in Advaita Vethanda is a Philosophical Research

Religion has secured a significant place in world traditional Civilization. Influence of religion has been well synthesized in art, Literature, Ethics and philosophy. Generally speaking religion always discusses three important entities such as, Human life, World and God. Faith in God, Philosophical thoughts and moral principles are the core topics in religion. In this respect it could be said that religion is being played a pivotal role since from birth up to death of human beings. In this respect, Advaita Vedanta as one of the Hindu Philosophies has been discussed about the Final Goal of Human Life and this paper aim at discussing the said concept. Though there are distinct philosophical schools in Hinduism, considerable number of Scholars have been paid there attention on Advaita Vedanta and thus this topic is apt for discussion. This paper further discuss the basic entities which Advaita Vedanta firmly believed as final Goal of human Life and the ways and means to achieve that status. Since there are several origin texts and interpretations available about Advaita Vedanta this study also mainly based on those resources and historical analysis is also being performed in this paper. Advaita Vedanta accepts the principles of Karma and re-birth and emphasize that birth occurs due to karma and this process is endless and miserable. Thus, the final goal of human being is to detach from birth and thereby to get rid from suffering. As has been already stated the main aim of this paper is to identify the final goal of Advaita Vedanta and then to illustrate them clearly.

Periodisasi Sejarah Hukum Adat

Customary law is a form of law that still exists in the lives of traditional law communities in Indonesia. The existence of customary law as a form of law whose existence is recognized in the life and legal culture of Indonesian society is stated in the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia. Based on the background of the problem, the problem formulation is: 1) what is the periodization of the history of customary law in Indonesia? and 2) what are the benefits of studying customary law? This research uses normative juridical research methods that are qualitative in nature. The data source used is a secondary data source, while the data collection method in researching research objects is library data obtained through library research. The results of this research provide an illustration that the periodization of customary law in Indonesia consists of the Ancient era, up to around 500, the Kingdom era (from 500 to 1600), the period of influence of Islam and other religions, the Dutch East Indies period, and the period after independence. . The benefits of studying customary law are that customary law is a form of Indonesian legal culture, the position and role of customary law in national development, and customary law as a means of social control.

CONTRIBUTION DES VALEURS RELIGIEUSES AU DEVELOPPEMENT SOCIAL

The influence of religion on the development of a continent has always been a subject of reflection. In the African context, the vertiginous scale of the religious phenomenon links the underdevelopment of Africa to its belief that the failure to adopt an attitude of detachment from religious beliefs deemed superstitious and fallacious is preventing Africa from emerging. Despite a view that relegates the religious to the rank of retrograde forces, in Africa religious actors have always been vectors of social change and have been important for development initiatives. The aim of this research work is to show the significant contributions of religion to African development. From there, to indicate that development is only possible because of respect for values common to humanity, and these values are those that religion proposes to us.

The Role of Religion in Economic Decision Making

This study aims to investigate the influence of religion on economic decision-making in contemporary society. This study employs a quantitative survey technique to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the complexities of the variables that impact economic decisions, as well as the consequences of these results in the context of inclusive and sustainable economic policy. The study includes 164 volunteers ranging in age from 17 to 28 years, 28 to 46 years, 46 to 58 years, and over 59 years. According to the survey data, religion has a significant influence on attitudes about investment and consumption. The findings of this study have significant implications for designing inclusive economic policies. Good religious education can help deepen individuals' understanding of how religious values can be integrated into their economic decisions.

Relationship between religiosity and HPV vaccine initiation and intention in urban black and hispanic parents

ObjectiveReligion is believed to be an important sociocultural influence in the U.S., but little is known about how religiosity shapes the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine decision in racial/ethnic minorities. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between religiosity and HPV vaccine initiation and intention among urban, racial/ethnic minority parents of adolescents 11–14 years old.DesignThis study employed a descriptive, cross-sectional design using baseline data from Black and Hispanic parents (N = 175 and 285, respectively) recruited from medically underserved communities. Chi-square tests for independence and independent-samples t-tests were run to assess sociodemographic differences in vaccine initiation and vaccine intention. Binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine whether religious attendance and religious salience were associated with parents’ HPV vaccine decisions for their children.ResultsApproximately 47% of Black parents had vaccinated their youth against HPV. Of those who had not initiated the vaccine for their child, 54% did not intend to do so. 54% of Hispanic parents had initiated the HPV vaccine for their youth. Of those who had not initiated the vaccine for their child, 51% did not intend to do so. Frequency of attendance at religious services and the importance of religion in one’s life was not significantly correlated with HPV vaccine decision-making for Black nor Hispanic parents.ConclusionThis study suggests that religiosity does not influence the HPV vaccine decision for urban, Black and Hispanic parents. Future studies using measures that capture the complexity of religion as a social construct are needed to confirm the findings. In addition, studies with representative sampling will enable us to make generalizations about the influence of religion on HPV vaccine decision-making for urban, racial/ethnic minority parents.

Religion, Perceived Unfairness, and Political Protest: Empirical Evidence From East Asian Countries

Religion is considered to have different aspects of influences on political protest, and some have argued that religious participation often mobilizes collective political actions by enhancing individuals’ civic skills and political efficacy. By contrast, religious values and beliefs that emphasize the importance of traditional norms and conformity tend to reduce individuals’ propensities to participate in political protest. The influences of religion on individuals’ attitudes toward coping with injustice and unfairness can be critical for explaining their propensities to participate in political protest. Using data from the fourth wave of the Asian Barometer Survey, this study investigates the role of perceived unfairness in shaping the link between religion and political protest in 13 East Asian countries. In accordance with the arguments of mobilizing and conforming effects, we find that religious attendance increases individuals’ propensities to engage in political protest, while religiosity has a negative effect on political protest. In particular, the results show that the perceived unfairness of income distribution mediates the indirect effects of religion on political protest. They also present that religious affiliations mitigate perceived unfairness and indirectly reduce individuals’ propensities to participate in political protest. Nevertheless, the direct effects of religious attendance on mobilizing political protest are stronger.

Средневековье (от Рождества Христова к XIII столетию). Восток и Запад

The essay provides a summary overview of the main phenomena of artistic culture during the Middle Ages in the West and the East (from the Birth of Christ to the 13th century). The paper covers the global art culture of the medieval period both from the point of view of the general historical process and in the consideration of individual types of art (sculpture, architecture, painting, literature, music). The author examines the achievements of medieval authors in these types of creativity: the increasing trends towards simplification in depiction of man and mythological creatures in Western art, the progressive development of art in the East (the rise of architecture and urban planning, the development of fine art). There is a turn towards the acquisition of civilizational forms of existence in Western art under the influence of feudalism and monotheistic religion. Special attention is paid to understanding the category of the universe in the medieval period, the construction of fortifications as reflections of the militant mood of the Middle Ages, manifestations of lyrical imagery in the artistic culture of the West and the East. As a result, the author concludes that medieval art represents a huge, richest layer of the artistic culture of mankind, the most important stage for the creation of artistic classics in the East and later in Russia.

Religion and Poverty Alleviation in South Sulawesi: Analysis at the Village Level

The influence of religion on poverty reduction has become an exciting study in various countries. Several studies have proven no relationship between religious observance and poverty alleviation. However, on the contrary, other studies have proven that religion affects poverty alleviation. In fact, religion should be able to help overcome poverty. Based on this phenomenon, this study will use raw data of Village Potential (Podes) data issued by BPS in 2018 for South Sulawesi Province, with around 3000 villages. The dependent variable of this study is the number of poor people in each village. Poverty data is taken from the number of poverty certificates issued by the village. This data explains the willingness of people to be considered poor, so that it can show voluntary poverty. Meanwhile, the independent variables include the number of religious places of worship, the number of educational institutions, the number of health institutions, the number of electricity customers, and the number of small-scale industries in the village. This study will use a simple regression method to find the relationship between the variables studied. Even though econometrically many variable relationships are not statistically significant which may be due to the completeness and abnormal distribution of the data, there are interesting variable relationships from this study. The relationship between religion and poverty is negative, indicating that religion can reduce poverty. Community-based health services (posyandu) can also reduce poverty. Markets that show economic aspects will also have an impact on reducing poverty. The same thing is technology proxied with electricity customers will also reduce poverty. Meanwhile, the geographic variable proxied by the distance between the village and the sub-district is not significant and the direction is not as expected.
 Keywords: religion, poverty, South Sulawesi

Factors associated with postpartum family planning use in Rwanda.

Resumption and initiation of contraceptive methods after delivery are of critical importance in ensuring the well-being of the mother and the newborn. However, evidence related with postpartum family planning in Rwanda is scanty. This study employed survival analysis techniques to study the time to resumption or initiation of contraceptive methods after childbirth in Rwandan women and the associated factors. Data were collected from the 2020 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS). Descriptive statistics were obtained after adjusting for study design. Initial analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method, followed by univariate and multivariable Cox Hazard proportional models to study factors associated with the initiation of contraceptive use after delivery. Cox Model assumptions were tested using scaled Schoenfeld Residuals. 5682 women who delivered in the five years preceding the survey were included in this research. The percentage of women who used modern contraceptives was 32%, 55%, 67%, and 79% at one month, six months, one year and two years respectively. Delivery by cesarean section, access to health insurance, and an increase in the number of children under five years of age were associated with increased chances of utilizing modern contraceptives after delivery. An increase in women's age and in the ideal number of children and women with a history of terminated pregnancy were associated with reduced chances of using postpartum family planning. The influence of religion was highlighted, with Catholic women associated with high contraceptive use. There is a need to strengthen postpartum family planning in Rwanda. Policy makers and clinicians should provide additional customized interventions for women with factors associated with low use.

Religious pressures on women's rights in Southeast Asia: Examining the right to an abortion in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam

This article aims to interrogate the “cultural wars” in Asia brought upon by rapid changes in gender roles in the world and the reactionary “return” to heteronormative families in Asia. For this article, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam were chosen for their diverse religious, cultural, and political definitions of the family and openness to global human rights discourses. As the article will show, despite the diversity of these three countries, one prevalent theme in access to abortions is the influence of religion. As one of the fastest growing regions in the world, Southeast Asia experienced a resurgence in religiosity in response to a change in economic and social relations over the past two decades. This growth took place thanks to active efforts by the state to manage population growth, often times through family planning efforts—including through providing access to abortions in some countries. But in a region where deeply entrenched stigmas are attached to abortions, nations treated abortions as a health imperative on the personal level, or a population control tool at the national level, but never as a personal right. Thus, as the role of religion in the region changes, becomes deeper and more personal, this article argues that pressures on safe abortion access becomes threatened. Through a socio-legal lens, this article will examine the legal right to an abortion in three Southeast Asian countries and argues that because abortions were primarily used as a tool for population control, and was not treated as fundamental right, the rise of religiosity in the region threatens precarious access to abortions in Southeast Asia.

Russian and Chinese national personalities: based on the material of phraseological units and proverbs with the concept of "religion"

This article is devoted to the linguistic and cultural description of the national personality in Russian and Chinese. The subject of this study is the Russian and Chinese language personality. The object of this study represents national cultural similarities and differences; Russian and Chinese national personalities. The purpose of the study is to identify universal and national-specific linguistic and cultural features of Russian and Chinese national personalities based on phraseological units, proverbs of Russian and Chinese languages, which reflect the concept of "religion". The practical significance of the work lies in the fact that the lexico-semantic and linguocultural analysis of phraseological units, proverbs of religious subjects can be used in educational activities in courses of lexicology, linguoculturology, linguistic and cultural studies, sociolinguistics. The provisions and conclusions of the study can be applied in lexicographic practice in compiling dictionaries of phraseological units, as well as in the practice of teaching Russian as a foreign language, spreading Chinese culture in Russia. To solve the problem, the following research methods are used: the method of continuous sampling of material from dictionaries of the Russian and Chinese languages, the method of linguistic and cultural commentary and the comparative-contrastive method. Russian and Chinese national personalities are analyzed for the first time in the article, which has not previously been described in the aspect of comparative linguoculturology, the traditional national religious value of Russian and Chinese personalities is considered for the first time, their stereotypical ideas and character traits under the influence of religion are indicated. This is the scientific novelty of this study. The research shows that phraseological units and proverbs with the concept of religion recorded in Russian and Chinese lexicographic sources differ in quantity and content. The universal traditional religious values of the compared national personalities include faith in the existence of evil and good spirits, love of kindness and the idea of the goodness of human nature. Unlike the Russian people, the Chinese national personality is characterized by non-religion. For the Chinese personality, such religious values as longevity and immortality, great kindness, the desire for a simple life and love of nature, reward for good and evil, the concept of cause and effect, pious faith in the Buddha are of great importance; and for the Russian, a sense of guilt, thirst for suffering and the self-worth of the sacrifice itself, kindness, hard work, patience and faith.

In the Radiance of Enlightenment: The Influence of Nontheistic Religions on Corporate Default Risk

In the Radiance of Enlightenment: The Influence of Nontheistic Religions on Corporate Default Risk

Календарные праздники Египта греко-римского времени: специфика религиозного взаимовлияния

The article analyzes the main Egyptian festivals during the Greco-Roman period concerning the influence of Greek and Roman mystery religions, which significantly affected changes in Egyptian festive culture. Through the examination of Egyptian temple reliefs, including calendar lists and scenes of the Osirian Khoiak Festival, the Coronation of the Sacred Falcon, the Feast of the Beautiful Reunion, as well as lunar festivals, it becomes evident that, from the Hellenistic period onwards, gloomy mystical subjects prevailed in the programs of Egyptian festivals. The rituals were reminiscent of dramatic performances rooted in the myths of Osiris’ and Dionysus-Zagreus’ deaths. The festival concept strengthened the principles of dualism of ideas and things, which were seen in ancient mysteries and involved the immersion of the participants in the darkness and then their unexpected exit to the dazzling light. These actions were associated with initiation stages, symbolizing the soul’s transition from the material world to the spiritual realm, and its posthumous exit from the dark depths of the underworld to Elysium, or the Isles of the Blessed, linked to the Egyptian Fields of Iaru. This dualistic festival concept is expressed, for example, in the reliefs of Dendera and Edfu temples, representing the processions of priests descending into dark rooms and ascending to the temple roof with statues of deities for the rite Xnm itn (meaning “unity with the solar disk”). At the same time, the balance between solar and lunar cults inherent to the ancient Egyptian religion was violated during the Greco-Roman period. The religious practices proposed a shift of the emphasis towards the Osirian cult, correlated with the moon phases.

Challenges facing traditional ecological knowledge in the Vhembe District Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Although TEK has been marginalised during colonial and apartheid era, over the past four decades, there has been a proliferation of research on TEK at local, regional and international levels. This is because, among other reasons, TEK provides multiple benefits to the bearers of such knowledge and contributes to the protection of the environment and ecosystem services. Despite this knowledge being important both for human and non-human environments, it faces several challenges among contemporary indigenous societies. Using the concept of power as a lens, this study aimed to investigate the challenges facing TEK using the Vhembe district in Limpopo Province (South Africa) as a case study. The study relied on semi-structured face-to-face interviews with local people. This method was found to be appropriate since it is flexible and allow for wide range of opinions that exceed the limits imposed by interview schedule. Key selected respondents included custodians of sacred sites, traditional leaders, bearers of TEK, educators, scholars dealing with TEK, curriculum experts, local pastors, and Christians. These respondents were selected using stratified purposeful sampling approach. A thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data obtained from the interviews. The study found that the cause of TEK system degradation is a complicated and multidisciplinary problem, including the compounding influences of dominant religions, formal education, new political dispensation, modernisation and advances in science and technology, as well as commercialisation. Recommendations for improving TEK management practices are drawn up based on these results.

Religious syncretism in the funeral and memorial rites of the Crimean Tatars in modern times

The author touches upon the funeral and memorial customs and rituals of the Crimean Tatars, in particular their content and transformation. The main purpose of the study is to examine the mutual influence of religions and identify elements of ancient pre-Islamic beliefs in the funeral culture of the Crimean Tatars during the late XVIII-early XX centuries. Based on this, the author of the work had two main tasks: 1. To highlight and characterize the main customs and rituals that formed the funeral and memorial complex during the specified period; 2. to highlight the rituals that are conditioned by religious prescriptions and rituals formed as a result of the mutual influence of ancient Turkic views with Islamic religious norms. In general, based on the fact that customs and traditions imply an inherited set of behavior, studying the ritual component will allow us to assess the stability of the development of the spiritual culture of the Crimean Tatars. An analysis of ethnographic descriptions, diaries and records of travelers published in the XIX - early XX century was carried out on this topic. The 20th century allows us to reconstruct the funeral rite and identify elements not related to religious dogmas. The novelty of the research lies in the fact that the conducted rituals are considered through the prism of Islamic doctrine, which allowed us to partially determine the degree of religious syncretism in the culture of the Crimean Tatars and identify specific elements associated with ancient pre-Islamic views. As part of the study, it can be concluded that Muslim religious norms were generally observed. Among them: the order for the speedy burial of the body, the correct corpse laying and the vestments of the deceased. At the same time, there are separate descriptions of the funeral rite, where some variability in the performance of rituals is presented, in particular, improper sitting of the corpse and the presence of inventory, which is explained by religious competence and the preservation of echoes of ancient pre-Islamic cults. The echoes of ancient cults are mainly traced in memorial rites, through a ritual meal. Cooking, especially the food that the deceased loved, refers us to the veneration of the cult of ancestors, which was represented among the Turkic-speaking tribes before the adoption of Islam. At the same time, since the meals were accompanied by the recitation of prayers for the deceased, they were firmly associated with religious norms among the inhabitants.