Religious Doctrine Research Articles

The “Authentic Islam” on the Internet: The Official Websites of the Ministries of Religious Affairs in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia

The governments of the Maghreb states appropriated and subordinated Islam after gaining independence, utilizing religion to strengthen national identity, unity, and establish political power. The goal of governmental control over religious doctrine was to stop “heterodox” Muslim beliefs and behaviors from deviating from the officially sanctioned conceptual framework of a national Islam. This study will employ a comparative methodology to examine the little-known function of the websites of the Ministries of Religious Affairs in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. It will highlight differences in the aims and scopes of these websites, as well as the state’s use of the Internet for religious purposes.

ANALOGY AND HARMONY: AN ANALYSIS OF THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF ADOPTED CHILDREN IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF INHERITANCE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY

This study examines an important comparative legal and religious issue regarding the rights of adopted children in inheritance distribution from Islamic and Christian perspectives. While the abstract summarises key findings, there is a risk of oversimplifying the complexities of religious doctrines and national legal systems governing inheritance laws. Although adopted children's rights are limited in Islamic law, the possibility of making a will can mitigate these restrictions; however, additional nuances arise from various schools of thought and interpretations that influence the scope of inheritance. Conversely, the Christian perspective is often generalised as uniformly granting equal rights to adopted children, which may only hold across some Christian denominations or legal systems influenced by Christian principles. The abstract would benefit from a more detailed analysis of internal variations within each religion and consideration of how different national laws operationalise religious principles. Furthermore, the notion of "harmony" between these two religious traditions in addressing justice for adopted children may be overstated, as the theological foundations guiding inheritance distribution differ fundamentally. A more critical engagement with potential conflicts or limitations in achieving harmonious legal frameworks would add depth to the analysis.

Making Mind Real

Tanya Luhrmann’s notable contribution to the cognitive study of religion consists of demonstrating that religious experience is based on purposeful practice of the believer. Through this practice, the objects of religious doctrine – gods and spirits – eventually begin to be perceived as more real and present. However, considering realness only in the context of encounters with invisible beings limits the theory to theistic religious traditions. This paper suggests that the process of transforming doctrine into real experience is also evident in Buddhist meditation practice, where encounters with gods and spirits are not the primary goal. Therefore, Luhrmann’s theory of real-making can potentially be extended by examining patterns common to both theistic and non-theistic religions in the transformation of religious ideas into concrete embodied experiences.

The Status and Role of Women in Sikh Religious Doctrine

This study explores the status and role of women within Sikh doctrine, aiming to contribute to and enrich academic discussions on the intersection of religious doctrine and gender studies. Using a qualitative approach that focuses on religion and gender, the research employs a library-based methodology, analyzing various sources and relevant prior studies. The findings demonstrate that women in Sikhism are granted equal status to men, rooted in the doctrine that emphasizes an intimate relationship between humans and the divine, where gender holds no significance in the connection to God. Moreover, the study delves into human relationships as shaped by behaviors, attitudes, and societal norms during the Sikh Gurus' era, illustrating the ideal dynamics between men and women. Despite Sikh teachings of equality, women in the Sikh community still face challenges in accessing leadership roles, as cultural and historical narratives often prioritize male dominance. The contributions of Sikh women have been historically marginalized, leaving subsequent generations with limited role models. This research offers both theoretical insights into Sikhism and gender and practical implications for encouraging the Sikh community, particularly men, to uphold Guru Nanak’s vision of gender equality.

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.

Parmenides as a Thinker of Fate

Although some ancient sources relate Parmenides to the religious doctrine of fate, this concept is not usually prominent in the scholarly presentation of the Eleatic thinker. Here, we offer a tentative interpretation of the notion of necessity in Parmenides’ poem, as a peculiar philosophical understanding of the presence of fate in reality. Necessity, divinised by Parmenides, implies that all things are bound together by the chains of fate. Therefore, his philosophical proposal consists in understanding this unity of reality originated by the connexion of fatal necessity. However, this presence of fate in all things is not bad news, but also means that everything is connected by Love.

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.

Sharing a Stage in the Arena of Agency

Abstract Exactly five hundred years ago today, Erasmus engaged with Martin Luther in a debate on free will that continues to inspire, even if it evokes a notion of freedom that is no longer ours in every respect. Emphasising the need for a common-sense reading of Holy Scripture that did not require making conjectures about the existence of hidden forms of divine justice inconsistent with our own, Erasmus confronted Luther with the fact that his “necessitating” notion of grace was not in any way representative of earlier theological positions acknowledging the notion of free will. Refusing to be drawn towards an interpretation of grace that denied human beings the ability to activate the full spectrum of their natural reaction patterns, Erasmus stayed clear of translating earlier theological positions on grace in terms of an overruling of human agency. His theology continued to inspire later generations to work on their moral development rather than to act out of fear for divine retribution. Despite his name as a sceptic and a rhetorician, Erasmus’ decidedly this-worldly interpretation of religious doctrine not only reveals his argumentative agility and deep theoretical insight; it also prompts a universalist approach in theology that consistently favours a predisposition towards the humane.

Pentecostalism and Covenantalism: Towards a Pneumatological Covenant Theology of Dealing with Adversity

Covenant theology seeks to explore the connection between deity and humanity which spans from the time of creation to the time when God sent his son to redeem the world from sin. The main tenets of the covenant theology also known as covenantalism are the covenant of works mainly found in the creation story. Second, it is the covenant of grace based on the promises of eternal life through faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, and embracement of the Holy Spirit. The third component of covenant theology is the covenant of redemption which recognizes the sending of the Son of God into the world to die for the sins of the people. This article argued that covenantalism in the Pentecostal movement is not a mere doctrine based on these three tenets but rather is pneumatologically defined as a way of dealing with adversity. This is demonstrated through the theoretical framework of the pneumatological imagination in illustrating how Pentecostals in Africa are rooted in the covenant between them and their God through the Holy Spirit. Thus pneumatology in Pentecostalism becomes the foundation for the Pentecostal pneumatological covenant theology of dealing with adversity. This changes how we study covenant theolog., It is not only about religious doctrine but also a means of dealing with adversity. The study is a literature review within qualitative methodology. The study makes an important contribution to covenant theology by suggesting a theology of dealing with adversity beyond doctrinal issues. Therefore, covenant theology should be studied by taking into cognizance the role of the Holy Spirit within the framework of pneumatological imagination in helping believers overcome adversity. Keywords: Pentecostalism, Covenantalism, Covenant Theology, Pneumatology, Pneumatological Imagination, Adversity, Pentecostal

The attitude of the Bashkortostan clergy to spiritual and educational activities

The article examines spiritual and educational activities as one of the conditions for solving the strategic task of protecting traditional spiritual and moral values. Ministers (staff, volunteers) of religious organizations are considered as potential specialists in the field of spiritual and moral education. The Bashkortostan clergy expressed their attitude towards a new type of non-religious activity by taking part in a specially designed survey. The study showed that the clergy of the Republic of Bashkortostan, considering themselves as the carriers of spiritual and religious knowledge, are able to share their experience with parishioners. They are also ready to develop in the younger generation the skills of a religious way of understanding the world. Moreover, they are able to instill the values of religious doctrine, have experience in conducting educational events and reveal high readiness to conduct educational activities. But at the same time they understand that they are able to partially satisfy educational needs and interests in the field of religious cultures. The identified high need of the clergy for mastering spiritual and educational competencies leads the researcher to the conclusion that it is necessary to include a special course in the training of Orthodox and Muslim higher educational institutions, and, moreover, to develop a master’s program in “Spiritual and Moral Education.”

THE WORLDVIEW OF GRIGORY SKOVORODA AND PANTHEISM: AN EXPERIENCE OF UNDERSTANDING IN THE DOMESTIC HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY

The article discusses the nature of the worldview of G. Skovoroda, the first philosopher of the Russian Empire. The authors of this study consider the correlation of the pantheistic religious and philosophical doctrine and theology of Skovoroda. First of all, the article comprehensively analyses the arguments of opponents of the identification of Skovoroda’s philosophy and pantheism. In particular, the thesis on the difference between Skovoroda’s worldview and pantheism is considered on the basis of differences in ideas about God with the Dutch thinker Spinoza. At the same time, the authors present arguments against the credibility of this thesis. As a source, the article considers the philosophical treatises of G. Skovoroda, which set out the worldview of the Russian thinker. As follows from the analysis of Skovoroda’s writings, his teaching about God can be identified with the religious and philosophical doctrine of pantheism. In Skovoroda’s philosophy, God is not the creator, but an integral part of the universe - its immaterial mind and essence. Skovoroda considered substance as eternal and uncreated by God. The world is described as a mirage and a shadow of divinity. All this allows the authors to identify Skovoroda’s philosophy and idealistic pantheism.

MUSIC IN PHILOSOPHICAL AND RELIGIOUS CONCEPTS OF CHINESE AND JAPANESE CULTURES

The article is devoted to the historical position of music in the philosophical and religious doctrines of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism prevalent in Chinese and Japanese societies. The theoretical basis of the study is the ancient written monuments “Shi Jing” and “Kojiki”. The distinctive features of the musical art of Chinese and Japanese cultures, which continue to carry the rich heritage of past generations, are presented. The question of mutual in uences between the two countries and, as a consequence, the impact of Chinese culture on the formation of Japanese music is considered. The conclusion is made about the similarity of some provisions of many ancient cultures, in particular, about the existence of belief in the magical power of music aimed at overcoming the natural laws of nature. In China and Japan this myth was developed in the belief that music is able to transmit the powerful force of the human heart, re ect the interconnection of people and nature, demonstrate the naturalness of events.

Homophobic Statements, a Bishop, and the Limits of Freedom of Expression. An In-Depth Commentary on ECtHR 31.08.2023, Amvrosios-Athanasios Lenis v. Greece, no. 47833/20

Dichiarazioni omofobe, un vescovo e i limiti della libertà di espressione. Un commento approfondito su CEDU 31.08.2023, Amvrosios-Athanasios Lenis v. Greece, no. 47833/20. ABSTRACT: The decision of the ECtHR of 31.08.2023, Amvrosios-Athanasios Lenis v. Greece (no. 47833/20), is a further step toward an increasingly dense jurisprudence on “hate speech” and the limits of freedom of expression. The public proclamation of religious doctrines that are in conflict with the values of the contracting States enshrined in the ECHR is protected to a certain extent by the fundamental right of freedom of religion and belief. However, the qualification of a statement as religious does not justify “hate speech.” The AUTHOR shows the tension between freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and protection against discrimination, and analyzes the decision against the backdrop of Article 17 of the ECHR (prohibition of abuse of rights). SOMMARIO: 1. Preliminary Remarks - 2. The Concept of Hate Speech - 3. The Facts of the Case - 4. The Procedure and Reasoning of the Court - 4.1 The ECtHR’s Preliminary Considerations on Fundamental Rights - 4.2 Legal assessment - 4.3 Some Remarks on (the Non-Invoked) Article 9 of the ECHR - 5. Concluding Remarks.

Embracing mortality: psychological preparation on death in the guidance of stoic philosophy

Humanity's greatest fear is the inevitability of death, the ultimate fate that all strive to evade. This collective dread of mortality stems from its perceived malevolence. Across the ages, from religious rituals promising salvation to scientific efforts to delay death, human attempts to confront mortality vary widely. Yet death remains inescapable, a natural consequence of life. While religious doctrines offer comfort through ideas of an afterlife, and science views death as a biological challenge to be postponed. Conversely, philosophy advocates for an intellectual acceptance of death's inevitability. The Stoic Philosophy, in particular, advocate for the joyful acceptance of death as an integral part of life. This philosophical stance fosters a positive perspective on death, encouraging individuals to live life to its fullest potential. Embracing death with joy entails psychological reassurance and preparatory measures for life's inevitable end. This qualitative study explores psychological preparation for death using primary and secondary data sources. Primary sources include the philosophical texts by Seneca and Marcus Aurelius, specifically "Letters to Lucilius," "On the Shortness of Life," and "Meditations." Secondary data is collected from peer-reviewed journals, books, and reports that contextualize these works within modern psychological frameworks. The primary audience includes individuals preparing for death due to age or illness and those grieving loved ones, offering a pathway to peace and understanding through Stoic wisdom. Moreover, this will be a guidance to those who work with the terminally ill people to get psychological resilience. By embracing death, Stoicism encourages both the dying and the bereaved to find psychological reassurance and encourage all to live a meaningful life in the given time frame.

Происхождение политической эсхатологии в Европе: Французская революция как космическая борьба добрых и злых сил

Eschatology is a religious doctrine about the coming end of the world and the coming of a new age. Beginning in the late 18th century, eschatology acquired a political content and was used often by many European ideologies, especially nationalism and socialism, to explain the course of history. Revolutions often included an eschatological content. The French Revolution was the first major European revolution with a large eschatological content. This article examines the influence of eschatology on the course of this revolution. The eschatological tendencies, begun in the French and other revolutions, culminated in the Russian Revolution of 1917-1922. These tendencies included dividing people into categories of the saved and condemned, demonization of enemies, especially internal ones, conspiracy theories, compiling criteria for membership in a political or ethnic nation, determining norms of correct behavior for members of the nation, compiling criteria for the exclusion of people from the ranks of the nation. The article theme has a certain relevance to contemporary outbreaks of political and religious eschatology in different movements and ideologies.

Религиозный фактор в деструктивных социальных процессах (на примере исламизма)

Spiritual and cultural characteristics play a significant role in modern society. The religious factor is one of the key elements that ensure spiritual security, strengthen friendly relations between various ethnic and religious groups, and shape their self-determination. Religion is one of the driving forces of the development of civil society and even determines the degree of its intensity. Due to the increasing influence of religion on political processes, its influence is becoming extremely important for domestic and foreign policy activities, therefore, the government of any state should take into account religious specifics. The religious factor has a powerful consolidating condition in countering the development of destructive processes. At the same time, in order to satisfy personal ambitions and achieve political goals, despite the contradiction of the basic religious principles and doctrines, representatives of destructive religious trends actively use psychological methods of influence, using the faith and beliefs of their followers. The implementation of the proposed measures to ensure spiritual security in various spheres of civil society at all levels of government makes it possible to counteract destructive influences using religious beliefs. The aim of the study is to formulate the main outlines of a balanced policy in the ethno-confessional sphere and based on ideological principles that can provide conditions for agreement and unification of relations between political actors. It is precisely such ideological concepts that can act as a weighty opponent to the destructive process. In this study, methods based on rationalism, dialectics, comparative analysis, historiography were used, structural-functional and civilizational approaches were applied. The results of the research can be used in the development of conceptual documents in the field of security.

Narrative Impact in Church Homilies: Stories, Sayings, and Experiences

In the modern era, homilies do not only convey religious doctrine but also address contemporary challenges in religious life. This study aims to analyse the impact of using illustrations—stories, wise sayings, and personal experiences—in homilies on the understanding and reception of God’s Word by the congregation. Descriptive qualitative research was conducted at St. Thomas the Apostle Onan Rihit Station, utilizing in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis to collect data. Findings indicate that the use of illustrations in homilies not only deepens the understanding of the Gospel teachings but also enhances the congregation's engagement with the community and the application of these teachings in daily life. Homilies are effective in enhancing resonance and attention from the congregation, demanding more empathetic and creative approaches in delivery. The results of this study underscore the importance of adaptation and innovation in homiletic practices to respond to contemporary religious life dynamics

Социальная и личностная неопределенность как факторы социально-психологической устойчивости личности к вовлечению в террористическую организацию

Introduction. In the context of countering the ideology of terrorism, two main tasks are being solved: how to identify the most vulnerable social groups of the population to the perception of the ideas of terrorism and what preventive work should be carried out to weaken the effect of the ideology of terrorism. Theoretical analysis. It allows us to conclude that the degree of socio-psychological resistance of a person to involvement in a terrorist organization mainly depends on the recognition of the principles of national, political and religious doctrine by a person. The socio-psychological stability of a person to participate in terrorist acts is a personality quality consisting in a formed critical attitude towards terrorism, knowledge of the disastrous consequences of terrorism in society, and an active civic position, which includes rejection of terrorism. As a result, it can be argued that socio-personal uncertainty affects the socio-psychological stability of a person. Empirical analysis. Consideration of the problem of determining social and personal uncertainty on the socio-psychological stability of a person to involvement in terrorist activities has allowed us to conclude that socio-personal uncertainty affects the socio-psychological stability of a person. Conclusion social and personal uncertainty are a favorable environment for the formation of extremist views and justification of the ideology of violence, therefore it is necessary to introduce psychodiagnostic tools aimed at identifying the socio-psychological resistance of a person to involvement in terrorist activities.

The Impact of Religion on Insurance Purchasing Behavior: A Dual Perspective with Economic Factors

Rising income levels and increased consumer awareness have led to a more positive attitude towards insurance, resulting in market expansion and heightened competition. However, businesses must consider factors that could negatively impact insurance demand. One significant factor identified in this study is religion. While some religious texts and teachings advocate for collective mutual assistance, certain religious beliefs view insurance negatively for various reasons. Consequently, this research seeks to explore two critical questions: “How do religious beliefs influence the insurance demands and purchasing behaviors of individuals and societies?” and “What are the potential impacts of economic indices on insurance policy purchases?” Answering these questions requires navigating a complex interplay of economic and cultural factors. To address these objectives, the study utilized data such as per capita insurance expenditures, 66 market totals, and national insurance market shares. The analysis also considered the percentage of the total population covered by national health services, as this coverage might reduce the likelihood of acquiring insurance policies. Statistical analyses were employed to assess the influence of religious beliefs on insurance purchasing behavior and to evaluate the effects of economic indices on insurance policy purchases. The research results revealed that individuals who did not adhere to any specific religious doctrine exhibited the highest rate of insurance purchases. Additionally, the influence of economic indices on insurance purchasing behaviors produced significant and undeniable results. In conclusion, this study highlights the considerable impact of religious beliefs on insurance policy purchasing behavior. The findings contribute valuable insights to the existing literature and offer a contemporary perspective for future research in this field.

Religious leaders’ nuanced views on birth spacing and contraceptives in Sierra Leone - qualitative insights

BackgroundSierra Leone is a religiously diverse country, with Christianity and Islam being the dominant faiths. This religious landscape plays a significant role in shaping attitudes towards family planning and contraceptives. We examined religious leaders’ knowledge of family planning and modern contraceptive methods.MethodsIn September 2021, data was collected from 116 religious leaders in Sierra Leone, including 32 Muslims and 84 Christians from nine different denominations from sixteen districts, through 16 focus group discussions. The data was subjected to a thematic analysis using NVIVO 12 software.ResultsThe study found a spectrum of opinions among religious leaders, both between religions (Christianity vs. Islam) and within denominations of Christianity. There was a general acceptance of natural birth spacing methods, like abstinence during fertile periods, across both Christian and Muslim leaders. Views on modern contraceptives were more divided. Catholics generally opposed them, citing religious doctrines against interfering with procreation. Pentecostals and some Muslims, however, found them permissible under certain circumstances, like promoting family well-being or spacing births for health reasons.ConclusionThe study reveals that religious leaders’ views on family planning in Sierra Leone are multifaceted. Understanding these nuances is crucial for designing effective family planning programs. By working with denominations that are more accepting of modern methods and leveraging the support for natural birth spacing methods across religions, there’s potential to improve reproductive health outcomes in Sierra Leone.