Religious Commitment Research Articles

The Hijab Consumer Attitude toward Hijab Fashion Brand: A Case of the Developing Country

Hijabi women, a rapidly expanding market segment in the fashion business, are drawn to fashion companies in search of modern fashions while respecting their religious obligations. This study examined the degree to which hijabi women were content with the design calibre, how it reflected their social and self-identities, and the degree to which they were willing to pay greater costs for certain fashion names. To achieve this, Hijabi women (n=198) were given structured online surveys, and the data were analyzed using SmartPLS Software. The findings show that hijabistas' willingness to pay higher costs is significantly influenced by the trendy nature of the design and how it reflects their social identities, which prominently express their religious responsibilities and commitments. The study's findings have significant ramifications for the fashion industry's ability to handle opportunities in the growing market for hijabistas' products and to satisfy their needs as consumers of fashion.

Understanding Personal Stances on Religion: The Relevance of Organizational Behavior Variables

This paper develops a framework for analyzing two personal stances on religion—Adherence to Religion and Autonomy from Religion. We propose that the two stances are independent constructs rather than opposite poles of the same continuum. Each stance is conceptualized as a higher-order construct, with different first-order measures of motivations, beliefs and perceptions. With these conceptualizations, we explore the relevance of Organizational Behavior research for informing Religious Studies. We test a nomological network of personal stances on religion with structural equations modelling and a sample of 3072 Catholic participants. The results provide support for the use of higher-order constructs. The first-order measures that possess the highest influence are Relatedness Motivation for Adherence, and Perception of Church Politics for Autonomy. The model explains 23% of Religious Commitment, and thus identifies relevant predictors for participation in rituals, a crucial issue for the maintenance and development of the relationship with the Catholic Church.

Ways to Navigate Sexual Minority and Latter-day Saint Identities: A Latent Profile Analysis

Using a sample of 815 sexual minorities (SMs) with current or historical engagement with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we examined (a) how many empirically distinct ways there are to navigate SM and religious identities and (b) whether these ways were related to health. A latent profile analysis, which grouped participants by religious/spiritual (i.e., religious commitment, service attendance, Christian orthodoxy) and SM identity (i.e., outness, identity centrality, sexuality support) variables, yielded a three-group solution: engaged Latter-day Saint (LDS) individuals, moderately engaged LDS individuals, and lapsed LDS individuals. Participants in these three classes did not significantly differ in SM variables or in physical health, mental health, or life satisfaction. Engaged LDS participants reported less substance use and more meaning in life than lapsed LDS participants, likely due to their religious engagement.

Poczucie sensu życia kobiet w wieku średnim w sytuacji pandemii COVID-19. Studium przypadku

The sense of meaning in life is a basic human need, manifested in human aspirations and motivations. It is the result of a person’s development, resulting from the realisation of certain activities, values and life goals. Confronting difficult events, realising certain activities and making certain choices, a person discovers the meaning of his or her own life. The COVID-19 pandemic caused fear, a sense of isolation and economic insecurity. The hitherto normal life of many societies has been drastically and unexpectedly changed. The pandemic situation has contributed to a deterioration in physical and mental well-being. Loss of normality and grief over the difficulties of certain plans or intentions can contribute to a sense of emptiness, loss of meaning in life. The period of middle adulthood is a time of increased autonomy, detachment, self-analysis, and religious commitments. In middle adulthood, the question of the meaning of life and the hierarchy of values becomes particularly important. The midlife crisis and the first life balances can contribute to an increase in existential problems (related to the meaning of life, goals or life values). The aim of the article is to show the sources of a sense of meaning in life in middle-aged women in the COVID-19 pandemic situation. This case study shows the importance of three basic sources of a sense of meaning, which include creativity (realised activities), experiences (feeling connected to others) and attitude (deepening religious practices, finding deeper meaning in them, a different quality of relationship with God).

Urgensi Pendidikan Seks melalui Pendidikan Karakter bagi Anak Usia SD

Sex education is very important for elementary school age students if it is implemented properly, but there are still many teachers and parents who are still unable to implement it. Characteristics of students who tend to be stubborn and difficult to advise will find it difficult to absorb important knowledge given by teachers and parents. If students lack knowledge about sex education, it is possible that sexual violence can occur. Sexual violence against children can occur if the child does not know at all about sex education. This study aims to describe the problems found regarding the urgency of sex education through character education at the age of elementary school children. This article uses a qualitative method with a case study approach model. Research that uses the case study method, carried out an in-depth examination of a case by using systematic methods of observing, collecting data, analyzing information, and reporting the results. The results of the study can be concluded that sex education can be applied in learning at school by providing knowledge about the function of the reproductive organs by instilling moral, ethical, and religious commitments, so as to avoid abuse of reproductive organs. If the child already understands about sex education, then it can be ascertained that the child can be protected from sexual violence.

Are Religious Practices Indirectly Related to Stress at Work Through the Tendency to Forgive? A Sample of Polish Employees.

Religiosity has been a neglected factor in studiesregarding the workplace in comparison to spirituality. Some available studies have indicated positive outcomes of religious commitment and intrinsically religious-oriented employees. There is howevera lack of research explaining how religious commitment is related to occupational well-being. This study aimed to examine the mechanism of the relationship between religious practices and stress at work and the role of forgiveness as a moral virtue underlying this link. The participants in the study were 754 employees from Poland. The research used a cross-sectional design. The mechanism controlled for gender, denomination, age, education, and the level of position held, and the indirect relationship between prayer and mass attendance and stress at work through forgiveness was confirmed. Religious practices were positively related to a lack of revenge and avoidance motivation, which, in turn, was negatively correlated with stress at work. The role of religious commitment in occupational well-being was discussed, considering socio-cultural conditioning, and the theoretical and practical implications were presented.

The Religiosity as Mediator between Academic Motivation and Materialism of Minangkabau University Students in West Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract This study aims to discover the materialism mediator that predicts the presence of academic motivation, the religiosity mediator predicts the presence of academic motivation and the religiosity mediator predicts the presence of materialism among Minangkabau university students in Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia. This study identified dimensions of materialism that relate to religiosity and academic motivation dimensions of religiosity that relate to materialism and academic motivation and dimensions of academic motivation relate to religiosity and materialism. The researcher administered the Materialistic Value Scale (MVS) to measure materialism, the Religious Commitment Inventory-10 (RCI-10) measures the religiosity, and the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS) measures motivation. It was administered to 382 students of Minangkabau university students in a public university in West Sumatra. Pearson correlation, multi-variable regression analysis, and independent t-test were conducted. The multiple linear regression is employed to predict the presence of academic motivation and materialism. The results displayed that the dimension of the religiosity which is more related to academic motivation is the interpersonal religiosity; the dimension of the religiosity which is more related to materialism is the intrapersonal religiosity; while the dimension of materialism which is more related to academic motivation is the pursuit of happiness.

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Healthcare Providers (HCPs) for Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Cases of COVID-19

The healthcare providers who actively participated in the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely to experience mental health problems. This cross-sectional study sought to understand the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare providers' mental health. It evaluated a sample of 220 out of 2000 who participated in the Saudi Arabia Eastern Province pandemic. Tylor scale was used to analyze the anxiety levels, where the independent variables included age, gender, job type, job nature, and faith degree (religious commitment). The results indicated a significant relationship between the independent variables analyzed. The Tylor scale showed that (34.55%) of the participants had middle anxiety levels, and (11.81%) of the participants had high anxiety levels. The study also found that other sample characteristics do not correlate with TMAS levels. This study provides information that may help mitigate the effects of COVID-19 in the healthcare system. Practical solutions, including education and policy reformulations, may be incorporated into addressing healthcare providers’ mental health needs and challenges.

The Varying Fertilities of the Amish Groups of Holmes County, Ohio

The Amish are known for their high fertility, and one of the groups, the Swartzentruber Amish, is known for its exceptionally large families. Opinions vary about the number, but there are many distinct Amish affiliations in the Holmes County, Ohio, area, ranging from the progressive New Order Amish to the ultraconservative Swartzentruber Amish. In this study, fertility was calculated for the five groups large enough for such analysis. The fertilities (i.e., number of live births for women 45 years and over) were notably congruent with the degree of conservatism (from progressive to conservative): New Order, 5.76; Old Order, 6.09; Dan or Andy Weaver, 7.79; Hostetler, 8.68; Swartzentruber, 10.42. The families of the Old Order group (the only group large enough) were subdivided into farming and nonfarming subgroups and families of ministers and families of laymen for fertility comparisons. The farming families subgroup had a higher fertility rate (6.88) than the nonfarming subgroup (5.90), presumably because their labor-intensive work of farming begs for large families. The ministers’ family subgroup also had a higher fertility (6.54) than the laymen’s family subgroup (5.89), the difference being attributed to ministers having a deeper religious commitment than laymen. The interval between marriage and first birth was nearly the same for all five groups. For the Swartzentruber Amish, the interbirth intervals remained short throughout the reproductive span, but for the other four groups, they became progressively longer. The reproductive span of women in the New Order Amish group was 13.75 years. It was progressively longer for the more conservative groups and was longest (17.74 years) for Swartzentruber Amish. These results are consistent with other studies that showed that people with more intense religious practice have larger families than people whose religious practice is less intense.

Adoption of Halal Tourism Concept in Star Rated Hotels in Mombasa County, Kenya: The Role of Perceived Benefits

Globally, halal tourism has been acknowledged as one of the tourisms segment whose growth is exponential. Halal tourism has been identified as one of the highest spending tourist markets. The hospitality industry is recognising the need to adopt Halal-compliant facilities around the globe. Halal tourism can be understood as the offer of tourist services designed to meet the needs of Muslim tourists following their religious commitments. Halal destinations serve Halal food, have a no-alcohol policy and have gender-segregated swimming and spa areas, among other Halal compliant products. Consequently, in Kenya, the hospitality industry is gradually embracing the Halal tourism concept. Mombasa County has identified Halal tourism as a key growth area. Its rich Islamic influence would make it a preferred Halal destination for Halal tourists worldwide. However, Mombasa County has some restaurants currently only providing Halal food. Subsequently, the country is missing out on the growing global Halal tourism. Hence, the study sought to examine the influence of perceived benefits on the intention to adopt the Halal tourism concept in star-rated hotels. The study population was 15 star-rated hotels in Mombasa County. The respondents consisted of hotel managers, supervisors and operatives. The study embraced a cross-sectional research design where primary data were collected using questionnaires and interviews. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis by computing frequencies and means and inferential analysis using correlation and multiple regression analyses. The coefficient of determination from the multiple regression model showed that perceived benefits explain 62.2% of the intention to adopt the Halal tourism concept. The study found that perceived benefits is a significant determinant of the intention by star hotels to adopt Halal tourism. The study recommended the need for the hotels to undertake a cost-benefit analysis before adopting Halal products and services. Keywords: Halal tourism, halal concept adoption, perceived benefits

“Wilt u alstublieft mijn gasten zijn?” (Gn 18,3)

Over the past decades, Flemish society has evolved from a homogeneous Christian to a post-secular and post-Christian society, characterised by (non-)religious diversity. The growing presence of Islam is probably the most visible example of this evolution. Because the number of Muslim students in Catholic schools, as in state schools, has increased over the past decades, important (pedagogical) questions come to the fore. How can Catholic schools deal with increasing diversity in society, and with the presence of Islam in particular? How can Catholic schools as well as the school subject of Catholic religious education, without giving up their Catholic identity, be hospitable places for staff and pupils from other (non-)religious backgrounds, such as Muslims? The Catholic Dialogue School project and the updated curriculum of Catholic religious education try to formulate an answer to these questions by entering into dialogue with others from the perspective of their Catholic commitment. Respect for identity, the courage to accept and to respect differences, and adopting a hospitable attitude are key words in this endeavour. Both projects, however, are not self-evident, but require a large dose of vigour and creativity, to which everyone can contribute from one’s own (non-)religious commitment. In times of growing polarisation, tension and conflict, the willingness of all involved – Christians, Muslims, atheists... – to open up to a diversity of worldviews and show the will to enter into dialogue with the other in a hospitable manner, is the only way towards a peaceful and tolerant society.

Social comparison orientation and religious commitment influence on outbound travel intentions

ABSTRACT Tourists frequently engage in social comparison to track their success or assess their relative self-worth. Although the link between social comparison and travel behavior is evident in the marketing and tourism literature, the effect of social comparison orientation (SCO) on outbound travel intentions and its interplay with travel motivation, especially among religious or spiritually conscious tourist segments, remains unclear. Drawing on social comparison theory and the Stimuli-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework, this study developed a conceptual model to examine the role of SCO, travel motivations, and religious commitment (RC) in shaping tourists' outbound travel intentions. This study adopted convenience sampling to collect survey data (n = 469) from Brunei Darussalam. The proposed model was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) and multiple-group analysis (MGA) in AMOS 23.0 software. Findings revealed that SCO significantly affects intentions to travel abroad. This further demonstrates that push and pull factors of travel motivation mediate the SCO's effect on travel intentions, while tourists' religious commitment moderates the effect of SCO on overseas travel intentions. This study extends prior works on tourism marketing and the S-O-R framework by demonstrating how SCO influences tourists' responses to international tourism through travel motivation. It offers a unique understanding of the role of SCO on international travel behavior (symbolic or status-oriented consumption) from the perspective of religious influence. Theoretical and managerial implications and future research areas are also discussed.

Review: Religious Violence in the Ancient World: From Classical Athens to Late Antiquity, edited by Jitse H. F. Dijkstra and Christian R. Raschle

Review: <i>Religious Violence in the Ancient World: From Classical Athens to Late Antiquity</i>, edited by Jitse H. F. Dijkstra and Christian R. Raschle

Distress and Satisfaction in Women Who Perceive that Their Male Partners Use Pornography: The Roles of Attitude, Religious Commitment and Conservative Religiosity

ABSTRACT Qualitative studies suggest that women’s attitudes and religiosity have an important role in their experience of their male partners’ pornography use, but these factors have not been adequately studied. The present study examined the contributions of perceived frequency of male partners’ solitary pornography use (PFREQ), women’s attitudes toward their partners’ pornography use, conservative religiosity, and religious commitment to women’s pornography-related distress, relationship satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction in women who reported they were married to or cohabitating with men who had used pornography in the prior 3 months (median frequency = 1–2 times/week). Participants were online research panel participants (n = 625), age mean = 44[SD = 13], diverse SES, 86% White. Partial correlations and multiple regressions, controlling for demographic variables and COVID-19-related stress, indicated that higher PFREQ and negative attitudes toward pornography were significantly associated with women’s higher pornography-related distress, lower relationship satisfaction, and lower sexual satisfaction. Moderation analyses found that negative attitude amplified the negative association between PFREQ and relationship satisfaction, and conservative religiosity amplified the positive association between PFREQ and pornography-related distress. Neither attitude nor religious factors moderated the negative association between PFREQ and sexual satisfaction. Findings suggest that attitude, religious factors, and PFREQ are each important to consider in research and clinical contexts.

Quasi-fideism and epistemic relativism

ABSTRACT Quasi-fideism accounts for the rationality of religious belief by embracing the idea that a subject’s most fundamental religious commitments are essentially arational. It departs from standard forms of fideism, however, by contending that this feature of religious commitment does not set it apart from belief in general. Indeed, the quasi-fideist maintains, in keeping with the Wittgensteinian hinge epistemology that underlies the view, that it is in the nature of belief in general (i.e. religious or otherwise) that it presupposes essentially arational commitments, and hence that there can be no specific epistemic objection to religious belief due to it having this feature. This paper explores how quasi-fideism deals with the problems raised by fundamental religious disagreement. In particular, how is quasi-fideism to avoid the charge of epistemic relativism? It is argued that once we understand the arational nature of these fundamental commitments correctly, then quasi-fideism is able to avoid a problematic form of epistemic relativism. Relatedly, it can also explain how a subject’s basic religious commitments can change over time in rational ways.

Determinants of Tax Non-compliance Intention among SME Owners in Malaysia: The Moderating Effect of Religiosity

The importance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as the backbone in contributing to national income in Malaysia is undoubted. However, the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM) had reported statistical evidences pertaining to tax non-compliance among SMEs’ owners. Despite its importance, their tax non-compliance behaviour has not been given enough attention, particularly on their owners. Therefore, this study empirically investigates the determining factors of SMEs’ owners on their tax non-compliance intention. This study extends the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model by incorporating the theory of religious commitment in order to determine the relationship between the constructs of TPB and religiosity and tax non-compliance intention as well as to test the moderating effect of religiosity. Employing survey design, questionnaires were randomly distributed to 580 SME owners in Malaysia, with 72.8 percent response rate. The data collected were analysed by using PLS-SEM statistical tool. Findings reveal that attitude towards tax non-compliance and subjective norms positively influence tax non-compliance intention, whereas perceived behavioural control negatively influences tax non-compliance intention. Findings also indicate that the significant positive relationship between attitude towards tax non-compliance with tax non-compliance intention became weaker for highly religious SME owners. Moreover, the significant negative relationship between perceived behavioural control with tax non-compliance intention was stronger for SME owners with higher religiosity. These findings contribute theoretically and practically with imperative implications to academicians, government and tax authorities.

INTEGRASI PEMBELAJARAN PAI MELALUI MATA PELAJARAN IPA DALAM UPAYA MENINGKATKAN KOMITMEN KEAGAMAAN SISWA SMA PRIMAGANDA JOMBANG

This study aims to analyze the Integration Efforts of Islamic Religious Education Learning Through Natural Science Subjects in an Effort to Increase Students' Religious Commitment. This study uses a qualitative approach. Data collection was done by interview, observation and documentation. This study found that: (1) Efforts to integrate science and PAI learning are pursued through the example of school principals and teachers, translation of the school's vision and mission, as well as the implementation of learning programs with Islamic values. 2) Implementation of integrated natural science learning with Islamic values is carried out with strategies, namely: always mentioning the name of Allah, using terms, applications or examples, and inserting relevant verses or hadiths. 3). There are four contributions to the integration of science and PAI learning in increasing students' religious commitment, namely contributions in the fields of moral aqidah, quran hadith, fiqh, and history of Islamic culture.

A Christology of Religions and a Theology of Evangelism

In this paper, informed by Vatican 2 and one of its premier modern day scholars, Gerald O’Collins, we will argue (1), that while the Christian evangelist should proclaim that Jesus is the only way to God, she should nonetheless be open to the possibility that Christ is saving those in non-Christian traditions as non-explicit or anonymous Christians, and, (2), that other serious religious traditions can be interpreted as doctrinally consistent with (or something nearby) the Nicene Christian tradition. In conclusion, these theses will lead us to argue that in the Christian’s approach to evangelism, her first step in persuading her non-Christian counterpart should be to emphasize the commonality that exists between the Christian tradition and the relevant non-Christian tradition. The evangelist then, should not see her main task as developing arguments against her interlocuter’s religious tradition (though, this has its place), but rather her focus should be on proclaiming an additional truth that her interlocuter can accept alongside many of her already held religious commitments.

Social Studies Students’ Motivation in Online Learning during COVID-19 Pandemic

This study described the experiences of social studies students as well as how they managed to stay inclined to learn given the struggles, they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, it looked at how social studies students have faced challenges but are still actively pursuing their own dreams during the pandemic. This research employed a qualitative-narrative approach, involving five (5) social studies students. As data collection techniques, students were asked to write narratively using Gibbs reflective cycle. The findings revealed that students' motivation to continue learning during the COVID-19 pandemic was divided into three main themes, each with its own set of categories and subcategories. The three themes and categories described were: (a) personal, with categories of challenges, self-determination, satisfaction and religious commitment; (b) social, with categories of relationships, inspiration, and well-being; and (c) environmental, with categories of breaking in/conditioning and amenities. The themes and categories showed that these social studies students got their inspiration to learn during the pandemic. According to the findings, these students were intrinsically and extrinsically motivated and dedicated to their studies. The majority of these students were spurred by their individual goals, not by a controlled motive, an incentive, a consequence, or a regulation. This study proposes that students be prepared to be more resilient and to build the ability to be hopeful and motivated to succeed and transcend any of life's hardships by defining how they achieved to motivate themselves.

Avant la lettre: Philip Perry, Reconversionist Aesthetics, and the Medieval Literary

<i>Avant la lettre</i>: Philip Perry, Reconversionist Aesthetics, and the Medieval Literary