Religious Dimension Research Articles

A Study of Sociocultural Adaptation for Practices of Religious Doctrines during the Covid-19 Pandemic and Using the Religious Dimension to Prevent and Mitigate the Covid-19 Pandemic

This article presents the findings of a study on the effects of sociocultural adaptation on religious practices during the COVID-19 pandemic and the utilization of the religious dimension to prevent and mitigate the spread of the virus. The results stem from a mixed-methods research approach involving quantitative and qualitative data collection from 15,505 participants through questionnaires. Statistical analysis comprises numerical summaries such as counts, percentages, means, standard deviations, and qualitative content analysis. Data presentation employed descriptive analytics. Findings revealed: 1) Among Thai followers, a high adherence to religious practices was observed (94.62%). Brahmanism-Hinduism adherents demonstrated the highest adherence (100.00%), followed by Sikhs (94.60%), Muslims (93.60%), Buddhists (92.50%), and Christians (92.43%). 2) Sociocultural adaptation for religious practices during the pandemic aligned with public health guidelines, emphasizing social distancing, mask-wearing, and frequent hand sanitization. 3) Clear directives were established for utilizing religious practices to combat COVID-19, ensuring conformity with the Ministry of Public Health protocols for all religious ceremonies, both auspicious and inauspicious. Additionally, education played a vital role in disseminating these guidelines effectively to religious communities, fostering greater compliance and understanding.

Relationship Stability in a Polish Cultural Setting: A Moderated Mediation Model of Acceptance of Transcendence, Sanctification, and Religious Literalism

This cross-sectional study involved 470 Polish, Catholic (90%), married (67%), or unmarried cohabiting (33%) individuals (237 women and 233 men) and is the first to examine whether and how two dimensions of individual religiousness (inclusion vs. exclusion of transcendence (IT) and symbolic vs. literal interpretation (SI)) as assessed by the Post-Critical Beliefs Scale are associated with the participants’ perceived stability of their marriages/intimate unions. As expected, greater affirmation of God’s existence as real (i.e., higher inclusion of transcendence) and greater literal interpretation of religious doctrines (i.e., lower symbolic interpretation) were each associated with greater perceived stability of marital/cohabiting unions. Also as expected, the former pathway was mediated by sanctification for both types of couples. However, the mediation pathway from the IT and from sanctification to relationship stability was markedly stronger for those with more literal views of religious doctrine only for married couples, and this complex moderator effect was not found for cohabiting couples. The findings imply that Polish individuals with a firmer belief that God exists and a more literal belief in Catholic teachings are more likely to view their intimate partnership as sanctified, which, in turn, is associated with a lower risk of union dissolution.

Ritual Meals of Chaṭha: Exploring Gastronomical Activities in a Religious and Festive Setting

Festivals and rituals have been pivotal for transmitting and preserving cultural values, with food assuming a central role in these communal observances. This study delves into the intricate interplay between culinary practices, cultural identity, and religious expression by examining the Hindu festival of Chat.ha. The investigation centers on the multifaceted nature of Chat.ha. By closely examining the processes of procurement, preparation, offering, and consumption of ritualistic foods during the festival, this research looks into how these gastronomic traditions contribute to fostering a sense of unity, highlighting cultural heritage, and intertwining between religious beliefs and societal norms. Exploring the culinary landscape of Chat.ha unveils the profound religious and sociocultural dimensions inherent in food-related practices, emphasizing how the daily act of sustenance transforms into a bridge for religious connection and collective bonding. Based on our fieldwork in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Patna (Bihar), and Sahibganj (Jharkhand), we document several aspects of the festival food of Chat.ha and how they offer a window into the many culinary customs of societies, emphasizing the connections between food and cultural identity, interpersonal interactions, and religious beliefs.

Religion on the brain: A look into the neurological impact of religion and spirituality

Beliefs are the inherent, underlying nature of our identity, motives, and actions. One of the most significant and developed forms of belief is religion. This paper outlines the development of beliefs and provides evidence on how religion and spirituality impact the brain. Through neurotheological studies like the one done with Carmelite nuns in 2006, researchers can uncover what the brain looks like during religious/spiritual experiences. Results show that religious experiences increase activation in various regions such as the IPL, MPFC, ACC, and more. Studies have also shown that many of the results related to religion on the brain align with studies done to decipher the difference between a mentally healthy patient and a mentally unhealthy patient. One such example is that there is a similar increase in the PDR and the EEG when comparing results from a neurotheological study and brain imaging depicting positive and negative mental health. This relationship is proved through statistics revealing how religion has been known to significantly decrease the rate of depression in an individual and decrease the rate of suicide in a community. The findings suggest that integrating religious and spiritual dimensions into mental health treatment can enhance therapeutic outcomes. Ultimately, this exploration affirms beliefs’ profound role in shaping our identities and promoting psychological resilience.

The Meaning of the Patriarch’s Coming from the West: A Study of Triptych of Three Zen Masters: Linji, Bodhidharma, and Deshan

In the mid-seventeenth century, Chinese Chan master Yinyuan Longqi 隱元隆琦 (Jp. Ingen Ryūki, 1592–1673), accompanied by several disciples, traveled to Japan and established Ōbaku Zen, a new sect of Zen Buddhism in Tokugawa Japan. Ōbaku art, particularly portrait paintings of Ōbaku abbots and their spiritual predecessors, became critical representations of the sect and greatly influenced later Japanese Buddhist art. While much of the existing scholarship focuses on the artistic and stylistic aspects of Ōbaku portraiture, this paper emphasizes its religious context and doctrinal dimensions. Building on Elizabeth Horton Sharf’s inquiry into the “meaning and function” of Ōbaku portrait painting, the paper investigates how Ōbaku doctrine is expressed through these images. Using the Triptych of Three Zen Masters: Linji, Bodhidharma, and Deshan as a case study, this paper explores the role of portraiture in visually conveying Ōbaku teachings and the religious aspirations of those Chinese immigrant monks. By examining the integration of image, inscription, and seal as a unified “pictorial trinity”, the paper argues that Ōbaku portraiture embodies the sect’s distinct doctrine, rooted in Ming-era Chan practices such as beating, shouting, and strict dharma transmission. Moreover, the prominence of Bodhidharma in Ōbaku portraits, as illustrated in the triptych, reflects these Chinese immigrant monks’ desire to emulate Bodhidharma in spreading the dharma and expanding their sect’s influence in a new land.

The role of the European Union’s securitisation policies in exacerbating the intersectional vulnerability of refugees and asylum seekers

ABSTRACT This article compares the European Union's (EU) reception and resettlement of European and non-European refugees and asylum seekers from an intersectional viewpoint. It does so using data collected during fieldwork in Greece focusing on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). The goal is to examine, through an empirical and theoretical study, the gendered, racialised, national and religious nature of the EU's approach to its external policies, border security approaches and its constitutive nature based on contingent, relational and non-additive vulnerabilities and inequalities that have been inherited from the EU's colonial past. The study asks how the influx of refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine exemplifies the gendered, racialised, national and religious dimension of the EU's approach to border security. It examines how the EU's approach showcases the paternalistic approach to refugees' vulnerability through essentialisation, which leads to their vulnerabilisation. It looks at the intersectional impact of the gendered, racialised, national and religious constitutive nature of non-European refugees, as well as the gendered, racialised, national and religious notion of ‘others'. Based on the comparison, the article contends that, theoretically, State or EU security and human security policies should not be mutually exclusive. However, as the empirical data illustrate, there are multiple competing ‘insecurities’ which are prioritised over others.

Mosque Construction as Nation-Building: The case of Turkey

ABSTRACT This article analyzes the question of mosque construction and its interrelationship vis-à-vis nation-building in contemporary Turkey. The dynamics of a secular state ruling over a conservative society have always been conflictual in republican Turkey, and this ever since the modern state began initiating a number of radical secular reforms in the 1920s and the 1930s. Among those reforms, disruptive in a previously conservative society, were the dissolution of the caliphate and dismemberment of religious institutions, coupled with widespread Westernizing policies including the adoption of Western sartorial habits, emphasis on science and technology, and changing the alphabet from the traditional Arabic to the current modern (romanized) Turkish script. On the other hand, the advent of democracy and changeover of government in 1950 brought with it the emergence of a renewed religious discourse and a desire for more mosque construction in order to accentuate the Islamic facet of Turkish culture. Therefore, the religious dimension of Turkish identity has increasingly been buttressed by mosque construction by right-wing governments, reaching its zenith with the current Justice and Development Party (JDP) government (beginning in 2002). Coupled with the emergence of an illiberal democracy bolstered by Turkish populism, this article proposes to analyze the linkage between mosque construction and the building of an Islamic conservative Turkish nation contrasting the secular Turkish identity of the ancien régime.

Integrating halal tourism principles into Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs

The research note highlights the potential of integrating Halal principles with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to better cater to Muslim travelers’ motivations. It proposes a model incorporating spiritual and religious dimensions into Maslow’s traditional psychological frameworks, aiming to offer a comprehensive understanding of motivations in Halal tourism. This integration enriches academic discourse and provides practical insights for the tourism industry, promoting more inclusive, respectful, and culturally sensitive tourism practices.

Transformation of Pancasila Student Profile: Integration of religious dimensions through school culture and character education in elementary schools

The transformation of the Pancasila Student Profile is a key effort in shaping the character and national identity of students in Indonesia. This study explores integrating religious dimensions into school culture to strengthen the implementation of the Pancasila Student Profile at the elementary school level. The research method used is a literature study, in-depth analysis of educational policies, school practices, and relevant character education theories. The focus of this study is on implementing religious values as an integral part of school culture and its impact on the formation of student attitudes and behaviours through the Pancasila Student Profile. The literature reviewed includes various studies and reports highlighting the importance of religious values in character education and models of success from schools that have successfully integrated this dimension. The study results indicate that integrating religious values into school culture significantly strengthens students' commitment to the principles of Pancasila and contributes to the formation of characters that are more virtuous, responsible, and caring about the social environment. This study concludes that effective transformation of the Pancasila Student Profile requires a holistic approach involving all school elements in instilling positive religious and cultural values. Practical recommendations for educators and policymakers include developing curricula sensitive to religious values and increased training for teachers to support effective integration in school settings.

Exploring the impact of religious culture on financial constraints: The moderating role of environmental responsibility, innovation, and law enforcement on SMEs

This study explores the role of religious culture in alleviating financial constraints for SMEs, emphasizing the moderating effects of environmental responsibility, innovation, and law enforcement. By analyzing data from 2,833 SMEs across diverse geographic regions with varying religious influences from 2011 to 2020, we discovered that firms in areas with strong religious cultural networks experience fewer financial constraints. The moderating mechanisms of enhanced environmental responsibility and innovation contribute to a more favorable economic policy environment. These findings suggest that financial products tailored to respect religious cultural dimensions can more effectively address the financing challenges faced by SMEs. Therefore, policymakers and financial institutions should consider cultural factors when designing economic support mechanisms.

The religious dimension of Russia's war against Ukraine: the context of national security

The author highlights the current problems of the Ukrainian state in the context of Russia's large-scale war against Ukraine. The importance of studying the religious factor and its impact on Ukraine's national security is substantiated. It is shown how, with the “spiritual” support of its original assistant, the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine in the guise of the so-called Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC-MP) has been actively proclaiming the “gathering of Russian lands” for decades. This “hostile tandem” has been building a “Russian world” on Ukrainian territory with intolerance to everything Ukrainian, pursuing a collaborationist policy in Ukraine, lobbying for Russia's interests, and becoming an important tool for influencing the minds of a large number of people. With the restoration of the independence of the Ukrainian state, Orthodoxy was supposed to become a consolidating factor in the creation of the Ukrainian nation. Instead, for decades, the UOC-MP has been constantly deconsolidating Ukrainian society, sowing church discord, and discrediting Ukraine's political and spiritual leadership in the international arena. Such activities have resulted in not only the territorial but also the spiritual occupation of our country. It is concluded that the concept of the “Russian world”, cultivated for years in Ukraine by the Kremlin through its “Orthodox” structures of the Russian Orthodox Church and the UOC-MP, was mainly the basis for the invasion of Ukrainian territories by the occupiers, which later escalated into a large-scale national liberation war in 2022. The study used data from sociological services, official documents of church institutions, and analyzed Ukrainian legislation on related issues. Certain provisions of the study can be used to further analyze the activities and spheres of influence of the Moscow Patriarchate in order to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The Past in the Present: The Religious and Royal Dimension of Newar Traditional Dance Theatre, Nepal

The Past in the Present: The Religious and Royal Dimension of Newar Traditional Dance Theatre, Nepal

Pathways to Flourishing: The Roles of Self- and Divine Forgiveness in Mitigating the Adverse Effects of Stress and Substance Use among Adults in Trinidad and Tobago

The present study focused on the roles of self-forgiveness and feeling divine forgiveness in mitigating the adverse effects of stress on substance use cravings in Trinidad and Tobago. We assessed 869 individuals (62 percent of whom were women) through self-report online questionnaires. A moderation analysis using the PROCESS macro and a bootstrapping strategy (N = 5000) revealed that greater levels of self-forgiveness weakened the positive relationship between stress and substance use cravings, though the relationship remained significant. This moderating effect was evident only when individuals reported high levels of feeling divine forgiveness. The findings suggest that both forms of forgiveness lessen the impact of stress on substance use cravings, highlighting their potential as protective factors and underscoring the importance of incorporating religious and spiritual dimensions into psychological education and intervention. However, the study’s cross-sectional nature makes it difficult to make causal inferences, indicating a need for longitudinal research.

Implementasi Sila Pertama Pancasila dalam Tradisi Hajat Sasih Maulid di Kampung Naga: Studi Kualitatif dan Deskriptif

The Hajat Sasih Maulid tradition in Kampung Naga is a tangible embodiment of the noble values of Pancasila, particularly the first principle. This study explores in depth how this tradition serves as a bridge between faith and deeds, belief and concrete actions. Through a descriptive qualitative approach, the research uncovers the religious, social, and cultural dimensions inherent in this tradition. The findings indicate that Hajat Sasih Maulid functions not only as a religious ritual but also as a means to strengthen national values, preserve the environment, and build a just and prosperous society. Additionally, the tradition serves as a medium for moral education, teaching the connection between spirituality and social responsibility, supporting community solidarity, and encouraging active participation in cultural heritage preservation. This research highlights the importance of local traditions in the national context and their contribution to harmonizing Pancasila values with everyday life practices.

The Contribution of Religion to Protest Mobilization on Digital Social Networks

This article presents an in-depth analysis of the intertwining of religious and protest expression on digital social networks in Morocco. By exploring the mechanisms by which religious discourse is used to mobilize, articulate claims, and catalyze collective action online, we highlight the importance of the religious dimension in the landscape of contemporary protest. Through a mixed approach of the content analysis of a Facebook page, we demonstrate that online protest mobilization with a religious substance is a multidimensional phenomenon that shapes real socio-political dynamics, and we illustrate the power of religious discourse to structure and legitimize claims, mobilize around shared values, and strengthen the sense of community belonging.

Teacher leadership in developing religious character in Muhammadiyah elementary school

The religious character dimension plays an important role in developing the character of elementary school age children as a whole. Teacher leadership is one variable that can be used to develop the religious character of elementary school age children. This research aims to explore teacher leadership in Muhammadiyah elementary schools in developing students' religious character. Researchers use qualitative research with a case study approach with observation, interviews and documentation as data collection techniques. The research subjects consisted of school principals, teachers and students at SD Muhammadiyah Macanan Sleman. The collected data was analyzed using the Miles & Huberman model of interactive inductive data analysis techniques which includes data collection, data reduction, data presentation and conclusions. To ensure the validity of the data, researchers used triangulation of sources and techniques. The research results show that teacher leadership in developing religious character at SD Muhammadiyah Macanan consists of three aspects, namely personal, team and organizational aspects. The personal aspect of teacher leadership is demonstrated by the ability to guide, mobilize, influence and communicate. The team aspect of teacher leadership is carried out by discussing and providing feedback, improving the quality of learning, training religious character, mentoring activities, and observing students' religious character. The organizational aspect of teacher leadership consists of the role of teachers in supporting school policies and programs, supporting the administrative leadership of the school principal, and efforts to maintain school sustainability. The findings of this research highlight the importance of the role of teacher leadership in developing students' religious character in Muhammadiyah elementary schools.

Fostering Religious Character through the Implementation of School Culture in Pancasila Student Profiles

Internalization of religious values in education is a crucial aspect of shaping students' character and morals. One effective way to achieve this is through habituation activities integrated into the school culture. This research aims to describe the formation of religious character through the implementation of school culture in Pancasila student profiles. The research method used is qualitative descriptive, conducted at elementary school 44 Bengkulu City. Research subjects include the school principal, teachers, and students. Data collection instruments include observation guidelines, interview sheets, and documents. The data analysis process includes data collection, data condensation, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The research findings indicate that the religious dimension in Pancasila student profiles has been effectively implemented through school culture. This is evident in exemplary habituation policies involving both verbal and non-verbal actions such as dressing neatly, displaying politeness, being disciplined in worship, and practicing 6S (Smile, Salute, Greet, Polite, Courteous, and charity). Additionally, there are spontaneous habits such as praying before starting lessons, and the integration of intracurricular learning through subjects in the Merdeka curriculum such as Islamic Religious Education and Pancasila Education. Extracurricular activities like scouting serve as a means to embody religious values. These findings emphasize that a school culture incorporating religious values can positively contribute to the development of students' religious character

Edmond Jabès et le livre désertique

The connection between language and the desert is a crucial aspect of Edmond Jabès’ writing. Born in Cairo but forced into exile in Paris, Jabès’ reflections on the desert in Le Livre des Questions evoke the memories of his youth in Egypt, the loss provoked by his exile, and it echoes the biblical story of the Exodus, of the Jews wandering the desert after leaving Egypt. Beyond its biographical and religious dimensions, in Jabès’ work the abyssal space of the desert is also the preeminent metaphor for writing itself, where words emerge from the blank page like marks in the sand. The desert highlights the abyssal quality of language: like a desert mirage, the phantasmatic presence of language never materializes as a fixed object, even as the promise of its realization never dissipates. For Jabès, these different registers of the desert are interconnected: the desert is a textual space which unites the figures of the Jew, the writer, and the exile.

An Islamic Late Antiquity? Problems and Perspectives

The inclusion of nascent Islam into a Late Antique framework has become largely conventional. And yet, with a few exceptions, Islamicists have been reluctant to discuss the implications of such an epistemological shift, or have had the tendency to reduce an “Islamic Late Antiquity” to its religious and imperial dimensions. My aim is to question some of the consequences of the inclusion of early Islam into a Late Antique paradigm. In particular, I focus on the reception of Late Antiquity among Islamicists; the limits of late antique Arabia; the vexing issue of historiographical categories; and the cultural significance of the first dynasty of Islam, the Umayyads.

Fundamentals of a Pluralism-Fostering Islamic Religious Education: Navigating Cultural and Religious Dimensions of Plurality

In Islamic religious education (IRE), as well as in the context of pedagogical and theological Islamic Studies at universities, Muslim educators, teachers, and learners in Germany and Austria encounter each other in a cultural, religious, theological, and ideological plurality. However, the existing intra-Muslim plurality is often neglected and not the focus of pedagogical and didactic reflections, despite its great significance for religious educational processes. This article outlines possible contours of pluralism-fostering Islamic religious education and didactics based on intercultural and interreligious education approaches in Germany and Austria.