Religious Factors Research Articles

Comparing Confidence in Institutions among Latino and White Catholics and Evangelicals: Exploring Religious Differences

ABSTRACT Recent surveys reveal declines in the U.S. public’s confidence in various institutions. Although some studies link these declines to religious factors, few disaggregate these patterns across racial and ethnic groups. Here, we focus on Latinos—a growing segment of the U.S. population and an increasingly religiously diverse part of the electorate. Using original, nationally representative survey data (N=4,321), we compare Latino evangelicals and Catholics to their white counterparts in their confidence in five institutions (religious organizations, higher education, the scientific community, Congress, and the press). We find that Latino and white Catholics consistently show high levels of confidence across institutions relative to white evangelicals. Our findings suggest that there may be more similarities in institutional confidence among those of different racial and ethnic groups who share a similar religious tradition than those who are of the same race or ethnicity but share different religious traditions. Patterns observed highlight the importance of examining institutional confidence through an intersectional lens that considers religious diversity within and across racial and ethnic groups.

Cross-Cultural Women's Dialectics to Promote Gender Equality Within SDGs and Reducing Potential Conflict in Manado

Objective: The aim of this research is to verify the findings obtained from the previous research, as well as to explore the role of women in promoting gender equality and within the process of preventing conflict, especially in Indonesia's patriarchal culture. Theoretical Framework: the main concept using in this research is the findings of the previous year's research revealed that in general there were three factors that led to latent conflict, religious factors, political factors and economic factors. This research also uses dialectic communication theory. Method: The methodology used in this research is descriptive qualitative with a case study research approach. Research data was obtained through focus group discussions with community leaders to obtain solid results. Results and Discussion: The research results show that experts or sources confirm that the three conflict factors are latent, namely: religion, politics and economics. Then the role of women is still very limited, because women do not have much space to move in public spaces, although this does not reduce the role of women in efforts to prevent conflict and maintain harmony in society. Research Implications: The findings from the research can be used as a reference in creating policy texts regarding how to maintain peace by prioritizing the role of women in society in Indonesia. Originality/Value: This research contributes to the literature by explaining latent factors that can become potential conflicts and how to prevent them through a cross-cultural dialectical process carried out by women.

The Tragedy of the confrontation: the religious factor in the Russian Civil War

The article analyzes a collective monograph edited by A. S. Puchenkov and devoted to the consideration of the role and significance of the religious factor during the Civil War in Russia. According to the reviewer, the authors, based on the unique material collected in 22 Russian and foreign archives, were able to show and prove the need to take into account the phenomenon of the religious factor, rightly defining it as «a set of many components affecting the social, socio-political, spiritual, cultural and national life of society, determining the order of functioning of religion and its institutions in the system of relations between the state and society, as well as the influence of religion as a social institution on non-religious forms of public life». According to S. L. Firsov, the authors have made a successful attempt to draw a detailed picture of the state of religious denominations (primarily the Orthodox Russian Church) during the Civil War. In his opinion, the reviewed monograph can be called a kind of encyclopedia of the spiritual life of Russia during the Russian Troubles of the early 20-th century. The authors of the monograph made a worthy contribution to the study of the moral and moral state of Russian society by writing a deep and useful work for all those interested in both the history of the Orthodox Russian Church of the era of Revolution and Civil War, and the history of the Russian Troubles of the early twentieth century as a whole.

Why did faith lose to ideology?

The article is devoted to the analysis of the role of the religious factor in the Russian Civil War and its coverage in the collective monograph of St. Petersburg historians.

Examining Customer Loyalty in Using Gold Pawn Products at PT. Bank Sulselbar Syariah Palopo

This research aims to examine customer loyalty in using gold pawning products at PT Bank Sulselbar Syariah Palopo. This research uses qualitative research methods with close descriptive analysis. The research obtained data through questionnaires, interviews and direct observation with customers who used the Islamic gold pawn (rahn) product of Bank Sulselbar Syariah Palopo as the research location and conducted interviews with customers, and the Head of Bank Sulselbar Syariah Palopo who was considered to continue to provide the information needed by researchers. The research results reveal that customer loyalty in using gold pawn products (rahn) at Bank Sulselbar Syariah Palopo is very high because they make regular repeat purchases, buy between product and service lines, refer to others, show immunity to the pull of competitors, performance, price , and ease of obtaining. There are factors that influence customers in using Bank Sulselbar Syariah Palopo's gold pawn (rahn) products, namely service, promotional, economic and religious factors.

Death awareness and psychological resilience in adults aged 50 plus

This study examines the relationship between death awareness and psychological resilience in adults aged 50 and above, focusing on the roles of religious activity, recent death experiences, and educational background. A total of 52 participants completed surveys measuring death awareness (TBS-5) and resilience (RS-10). Results indicated that religiously active individuals reported significantly lower death anxiety and higher resilience compared to non-religious participants. Additionally, individuals who had experienced the death of a loved one in the past 12 months showed a tendency toward greater openness in discussing death. No significant effects were found for educational background. While the small sample size limits the generalizability of the findings, the study highlights the importance of religious and experiential factors in shaping attitudes toward mortality and offers practical implications for end-of-life care and counseling. The results also suggest that fostering open dialogue about death and enhancing spiritual support may increase psychological resilience among older adults.

The Gaza Crisis and the Indian Urdu Press

Urdu is widely spoken in India, and due to historical, demographic, and political reasons, it is commonly associated with the Indian Muslim population. India has a vibrant Urdu press represented in both electronic and print media that caters largely to the Muslim population and reflects their views. Issues related to Israel, Zionism, and Jews, in addition to other Middle Eastern developments, are widely covered in the Indian Urdu press due to religious and historical factors. The coverage also reflects the ignorance, biases, and prejudices that are widely held among South Asian Muslims regarding Jews, Zionism, and Israel, which at times acquire extremist and anti-Semitic overtones. The Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, and the Israeli military response have been widely covered and commented upon in the Indian Urdu press, reinforcing the established ideas of the oppressive Israeli state and the perpetual Palestinian victimhood. However, one witnesses certain nuances and a diversity of opinion within the Urdu press. A systematic content analysis of the Indian Urdu press and its coverage of the Gaza crisis provides an understanding of views held among a large section of the Muslim population in India toward the Israel–Hamas conflict, in particular, and toward the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, in general.

Gender, Ethnicity, and Religion in Gharbi M. Mustafa’s What Comes with the Dust Goes with the Wind

This study aims to bring to light various forms of oppression and enslavement of female Yazidis under the oppressive regime of ISIS depicted in Gharbi M. Mustafa’s novel What Comes with the Dust Goes with the Wind 2017. Through the lens of intersectional feminism, the experience of the protagonist of the novel, Nazo Heydo, who represents thousands of Yazidis, will be discussed and examined. Nazo was enslaved, traded, and abused physically and verbally by brutal ISIS militants. The paper analyses gender, ethnic, and religious related factors that caused the protagonist to go through her unfortunate experience as she was captivated by ISIS militants. Moreover, it explores the intersection and interaction of the previously mentioned factors in the genocide and enslavement of female Yazidis represented by the main character, Nazo. It is true that the novel depicts the harsh experiences of male characters, too, yet it is different from that of Nazo and all other female characters just because they were women. This paper aims to answer the following questions: 1. To what extent does the novel succeed in depicting women's oppression represented by Nazo? 2. How does the narrative address the impact of ethnicity on the genocide and enslavement of female Yazidis? 3. What is the role of religion in framing the atrocities of female Yazidis imposed upon them by ISIS militants in the novel?

Examining the Sustainability of Food Consumption Based on Religiosity Dimensions in Urban and Sub-Urban Communities

Research Originality: This study offers a new perspective on the relationship between religiosity and sustainable food consumption in urban and peri-urban communities in Lampung, Indonesia. Research Objectives: The objective was to examine the differences in sustainable food consumption between urban and peri-urban communities, exploring the role of religious beliefs in shaping consumption behavior.Research Methods: A quantitative approach using comparative analysis was used. Data were collected from 250 respondents using purposive sampling, analyzed through statistical tools such as the Shapiro-Wilk Normality Test and Independent Sample t-test.Empirical Results: This study found that there were no differences in consumption behavior between urban and suburban communities with the dimensions of religiosity in the aspects of beliefs and practices. There were differences in consumption behavior between urban and suburban communities with the dimensions of religiosity in the aspects of knowledge and behavior.Implications: This study highlights the need for policymakers and businesses to consider religious factors in promoting sustainable consumption, suggesting that urbanization and access to religious education influence food choices based on religiosity.JEL Classification: D12, D19

Investigation of the ethical and legal issues of euthanasia and assisted suicide

Euthanasia and assisted suicide are highly complex and ethically charged medical practices that challenge societal norms and legal frameworks worldwide. This research investigates the multifaceted ethical and legal dilemmas surrounding these end-of-life options. It examines the core ethical arguments for and against euthanasia and assisted suicide, including autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. The analysis explores different legal approaches to these practices globally, comparing permissive, restrictive, and prohibitive regimes. It delves into the legal complexities of informed consent, competency, vulnerability, and the potential for abuse. Furthermore, the research examines the role of palliative care and the impact of social, cultural, and religious factors on the debate. This investigation aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the ethical and legal landscape of euthanasia and assisted suicide, contributing to informed policy-making and ethical medical practice. Euthanasia and assisted suicide are topics that spark intense ethical, legal, and social debate. Both are related to the right to die, but there are fundamental differences between them.

The role of religious and financial factors in eudaimonic well-being among Indian adults

Purpose The available literature has explored the various psychosocial determinants of well-being to some extent. The earlier works have focused primarily on hedonic well-being with little focus on eudaimonic aspects. Therefore, this study aims to understand the role of parent–child religious attendance during childhood, religious connectedness, and financial-material stability on eudaimonic well-being among adults in India. Design/methodology/approach The authors used the India data from Global Flourishing Study – Wave 1 that addressed flourishing among adults above 18 years. The authors considered 9,076 Indian adults and used descriptive and correlation statistics. In addition, the authors conducted path analysis and t-test. Findings The likelihood of eudaimonic well-being increased with parent–child religious attendance during childhood (ß = −0.044, p < 0.01) along with religious connectedness (ß = −0.112, p < 0.01) and financial-material stability (ß = 0.145, p < 0.01) as an adult. In addition, a significant difference existed in terms of religious connectedness and eudaimonic well-being with income and perceived feelings about income. Originality/value This study emphasizes financial stability’s relevance in well-being and suggests the importance of considering religious factors during childhood and adulthood. Emphasizing factors influencing eudaimonic well-being is relevant due to its influence on mental health and quality of life.

Psychological autopsies: religious and spiritual factors for suicide in cases and controls.

In recent years, there has been a growing body of evidence supporting the notion that spirituality and religion can improve one's physical and mental health. Studies show that religion and spirituality play a significant role in the suicidal path. Considering the dearth of data on the patterns of suicidal thoughts, acts and related factors in Pakistan, a country with a large Muslim population and stigma with sociocultural perceptions of religious notions, the current study investigated the role of religious and spiritual factors of suicide using psychological autopsies. Purposive sampling was used to gather retrospective data records from police stations and hospital forensic departments in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, between January 2021 and July 2022. In total, 60 samples (30 cases and 30 controls) were used in this autopsies investigation. As with the majority of case control studies, the study sample cases were matched with the controls. At least two close bereaved family members served as the primary information sources, and data was gathered using the Semi Structured Interview Protocol for Psychological Autopsies. According to statistical analysis, both the suicide cases and the controls were comprised mostly of Muslim individuals. They follow Islam and hold the view that suicide is prohibited, forbidden, and haram in Islam. Regarding spirituality and religion, the majority of cases, according to the respondents interviewed, were not spiritual at all, while the controls are slightly spiritual. While the majority of both cases and controls had reduced interest in or practice of religious activities over the past year, a higher number of cases rarely performed and attended the religious services/activities as compared to controls. It was thus evident that the cases lacked significant engagement in spiritual and religious activities, and their attendance at such gatherings had notably decreased in the year preceding the suicide attempt. This decline in involvement in spiritual and religious practices might be linked to decreased levels of satisfaction, sense of belongingness, which could raise the risk of suicide. Therefore, in nations where Muslims predominate, culturally relevant suicide prevention initiatives including spiritual and religious treatments aimed at reducing the risk of suicide should be considered.

A Mixed Methods Systematic Review of the Effectiveness, Acceptability, and Feasibility of Advanced Care Plans for Older Adults Without Life-Limiting Conditions

Context: Advance care planning (ACP) is a comprehensive procedure aimed at helping individuals understand and articulate their values, life goals, and preferences concerning future medical treatment. Despite extensive research on ACP in populations with terminal illnesses, dementia, and those in long-term care, there is a lack of focus on its impact among older adults without life-limiting conditions. Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of ACP for older adults without life-limiting conditions. Methods: We searched 11 electronic databases, spanning from inception to November 2023, complemented by extensive grey literature and reference searches. Rigorous quality assessments were conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Our approach adopted a dynamic convergent mixed-methods design, incorporating thematic and narrative synthesis. Findings: From over 12,600 citations, a total of 16 studies, comprising four randomised controlled trials (RCTs), nine qualitative studies, and three mixed methods studies met the inclusion criteria. Limited findings indicate that ACP interventions are generally effective in improving document completion rates and reducing hospital readmissions. Acceptability and feasibility of these interventions were high, although significantly influenced by cultural and religious factors. Limitations: Evidence supporting the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of ACP in reducing unplanned hospital admissions in older adults without life-limiting conditions was limited. We excluded observations based on unwell older people, though some material with unclear distinctions may have been included. Quality assessments revealed that one of four RCTs had a high risk of bias, three had unclear risks; all nine qualitative studies had low risk; and one of three mixed methods studies had low risk while two had unclear risks. Implications: Further targeted research is necessary to assess the intervention’s value for this population. Rigorous real-world evidence studies involving older adults without life-limiting conditions and their proxies is crucial to enabling providers to tailor ACPs to diverse populations, whilst respecting individuals’ religious and cultural beliefs.

Differences in perspectives on the Christian revolution of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom in China

In terms of civilian casualties directly and indirectly caused by the war, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Movement was the largest war in world history in the second half of the nineteenth century and had a strong East Asian Christian background. This article adopts the ‘historical contextualism’ approach of the Cambridge School in the history of political thought, and through a comparison of the relevant views of Karl Marx, Max Weber and Kang Youwei, it reveals that this intentional omission comes from a specific combination of modernisation routes and modernisation political construction choices. In contemporary China, the study of Christian theory and the practice of church organisation still need to answer the question of the general public as to whether Christianity can bring about a better life, both materially and spiritually.Contribution: This article pointed out that three contemporaries, Marx, Weber and Kang, all evaluated the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Movement as a revolution of Christianity in China from the standpoint of ‘China’s need for modernisation’, but differed in their evaluation of the position and role of the religious reform factor in the process of modernisation in China. However, they differed in their assessment of the position and role of the Reformation factor in the process of modernisation in China. The article reveals that for Protestant Christianity in contemporary China, it is still necessary to carefully handle its relationship with the government and to satisfy the people’s real needs for a modernised material and spiritual life. Meanwhile, it sheds light on the issue of ‘heterocultural adaptability’ brought about by the expansion and spread of Protestant Christianity in East Asia, as well as on the question of whether Protestantism and Confucianism in the process of modern conversion can achieve peaceful coexistence.

Barriers to modern contraceptive utilization in Ethiopia.

Contraception is a critical service for women to control their reproductive health, allowing them to determine the number and spacing of their children prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality from associated with childbirth, and reduce the likelihood of abortions. Despite its benefits, the utilization of modern contraceptive methods remains low in certain regions of Ethiopia, Particularly in Afar and Somali, which are also experiencing high fertility rates. However, there is a substantial gap in understanding the sociocultural barriers that hinder the adoption of modern contraception in these regions. This study aims to explore these barriers to contraceptive use among women of reproductive age in Afar and Somali regions, providing qualitative insights that are essential for designing effective strategies to improve contraceptive service utilization. Asequential mixed method approach was employed, including scoping review and qualitative interviews. Scoping review focused on qualitative or mixed-methods studies conducted in Ethiopia and published between 2013 and 2023 in English, Selecting 14 articles Additionally, qualitative data were collected from Afar and Somali regions through In-depth interviews with women aged 15-49 who are married or in consensual union, and key informant interviews with health extension workers and contraception providers at health center. A total of 20 in-depth interviews and 07 key informants were conducted. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The integrated findings from the scoping review and qualitative study reveal various barriers and determinants influencing contraceptive use among women in Ethiopia. Barriers includes religious or cultural beliefs, myths and misconceptions, fear of side effects, lack of knowledge and misinformation, negative attitude towards contraceptives, partner opposition, socio-cultural factors, fear of being judged by family and friends, and lack of communication between husband and wife, husband altitude, distance from health facility, availability of service and different contraceptive choice, separate room for family planning services, and cost of contraceptive method and transportation. The scoping review corroborates these findings, emphasizing on the role of socio-demographic, economic, cultural, religious, health service, and knowledge-related factors. Higher education, urban residence, higher income, mass media exposure, spousal communication, family size, and access to quality health services were associated with increased utilization, while lack of awareness, misconceptions, myths, side effects, fear of infertility, partner opposition, social stigma, and cultural norms decreased utilization. The study recommended promoting contraceptive use, challenging socio-cultural norms through Social Behavioural Communication and Counselling (SBCC), engaging partners and community members, and improving the quality of care.

Analysing The Understanding Of Childfree Practitioners From Islamic Academia On The Hadith About Multiplying Offspring

Childfree has been a phenomenon that has attracted public attention since its emergence in 2013. There is opposition in society to childfree because it goes against human instinct and nature and Indonesian culture that understands many children's sustenance. This article investigates the childfree trend among Islamic academics, exploring their understanding of the hadith that explicitly encourages Muslims to multiply offspring by taking into account the social dynamics that influence this understanding and choice. The research uses a qualitative method with a descriptive approach, through in-depth interviews with seven Islamic academics who choose to go child-free. The results show that in understanding the hadith they tend to understand it contextually. This leads to the conclusion that the hadith is a recommendation, not an obligation, for married couples who have mental readiness, physical health, economic stability, and desire to have children. Other things that influence this understanding are spousal support and the great challenges of educating children today. Despite facing social pressures, the informants maintained their commitment to being child-free but remained open to re-evaluating in the future. This study highlights the complexity of childfree decision-making, which is influenced by personal, social and religious factors

Faith and food in rural Malawi: an investigation into the sociocultural determinants of household food security

ABSTRACT This study demonstrates that religion and culture play a substantial role in shaping the dietary preferences of rural Malawians. Therefore, it is imperative that cultural and specifically religious factors are given due consideration when devising strategies aimed at alleviating household food insecurity and promoting food security. Despite years of substantial agricultural output, household food insecurity remains a persistent problem, primarily due to sociocultural factors that influence how food is consumed within households. It has been proven that social activities such as weddings, initiation ceremonies, and funerals can significantly impact a household’s food status. The study underscores the need for policymakers to incorporate cultural factors into food security interventions to produce more effective and equitable policies.

Gender Dynamics Across Cultures: A Comprehensive Exploration

Abstract: A Comprehensive exploration delves into the intricate dynamics of gender across different cultures, highlighting how gender roles and identities are influenced by historical, social, economic, and religious factors. The article examines traditional and evolving gender roles, the impact of feminist movements, the role of language in perpetuating gender norms, and the cultural variations in attitudes toward sexuality and LGBTQ+ identities. It also addresses the intersectionality of gender with other identities, media representation, the effects of globalization on gender dynamics, gender-based violence, and the unique constructions of masculinity across cultures. By understanding these multifaceted influences, the article aims to provide a nuanced perspective on the ongoing efforts to create more inclusive and equitable societies.

Social Development Perspective in Child Custody Law Enforcement: A Comparative Study of Legal Systems and Their Implications in Developing and Developed Countries

This study discusses the comparative application of child custody laws between developed and developing countries with a focus on the principle of "best interests of the child." Although this principle is recognized globally, its implementation varies widely across countries, influenced by social, cultural, religious, and economic factors. Developed countries such as the United States and Sweden tend to have more structured legal systems that support equality in custody, often adopting a joint custody model. In contrast, developing countries such as Indonesia and India face significant challenges in implementing this principle due to the influence of customary law, religion, and resource constraints. This study uses thematic and comparative analysis methods, and makes generalizations about the factors that influence the implementation of child custody in countries with different socio-economic backgrounds. The results of the study indicate that legal and social policy reforms, as well as increasing access to social services and legal education, are essential to improving the protection of children's rights in developing countries. Thus, recommendations focus on the need for international collaboration and increasing the capacity of courts to adopt best practices in child protection.

Transrectal oocyte retrieval for fertility preservation in virginal women

Research QuestionFertility preservation faces barriers due to sociocultural and religious factors in some countries for nulliparous women who are virgins. Transrectal oocyte retrieval is an alternative technique which can address this by circumventing sensitivities around pelvic procedures in such women who require to have oocyte cryopreservation for medical or social reasons. The study aims to evaluate safety and efficacy of Transrectal oocyte retrieval (TROR) procedure for fertility preservation in these women. DesignA retrospective single centre study of 105 nulliparous women from five satellites of Fakih IVF in the United Arab Emirates, who underwent TROR for oocyte cryopreservation. Extensive bowel preparation and rectal cleansing was performed prior to oocyte retrieval. Outcome and safety data were collected on patient characteristics, stimulation protocols, oocyte yield in relation to age, AMH, number of follicles, and BMI. ResultsThis study evaluated 105 patients who underwent 152 cycles of ovarian stimulation and TROR. The most common indication was social fertility preservation. Correlation with patient characteristics included age, and AMH were performed. AMH showed a statically significant positive correlation with number of oocytes (p≤0.003). No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. ConclusionOur study demonstrated that TROR is Our study demonstrated that TROR is an alternative and clinically-effective oocyte harvesting procedure in ART, producing good results in terms of oocyte yield, with no complications and good safety profile. Although Transvaginal oocyte retrieval remains the gold standard treatment, for virginal women where transvaginal oocyte retrieval is not an option, TROR is safe and effective.