Religious Identity Formation Research Articles

Tehseen Thaver. Beyond Sectarianism: Ambiguity, Hermeneutics and the Formation of Religious Identity in Islam.

Tehseen Thaver. Beyond Sectarianism: Ambiguity, Hermeneutics and the Formation of Religious Identity in Islam.

РЕЛИГИОЗНЫЕ ВЕРОВАНИЯ В СОГДЕ В ЭПОХУ РАННЕГО СРЕДНЕВЕКОВЬЯ

This article examines the religious landscape of Sogdiana in the early Middle Ages, when this region of Central Asia served as a crossroads of cultures and religions along the Silk Road. By examining archaeological finds, written sources and historical data, the authors of the article analyze how Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam coexisted and interacted in Sogd, contributing to the formation of the unique religious identity of the region.

Promoting socio-religious rights of Tibetan Buddhists in China in the 21st century: Legislators and political realities

Relevance. The study of the formation of relations between the Chinese political elite and Tibetan Buddhism in this period is critical for understanding the main aspects of political, interfaith and intercultural interaction in the region both in the 21st century and today. Purpose. The study aims to analyse how the social and religious rights of Tibetan Buddhist followers are ensured in modern China, taking into account the existing laws and political situation in the 21st century. Methodology. The study employs historical, comparative, and systematic methods to analyze legislative documents, official policies, and scholarly literature in order to examine the socio-religious rights of Tibetan Buddhists in China in the 21st century, considering both legal frameworks and political realities. Results. The study demonstrates the role and importance of international law in the context of the complex religious policy of the Chinese Communist Party. The author shows the influence of the reforms of the communist government on the process of changing the role of traditional religious institutions in public life. The study revealed the impact of reforms on the nature of interethnic relations in the region. The study examines aspects of the ethnic policy of the Communist Party of China on the subsequent process of formation of civil and religious identity in the region. Conclusions. The study concludes that relations between the Chinese Communist Party and Tibetan Buddhist leaders are complex, focusing on lama reincarnation, while government policies significantly impact Tibetan demographics, ethnicity, and culture. Keywords: international law; freedom of religion; conflict; soteriology; regional autonomy; soft power politics

Exploring the Impact of Podcasts on Millennial Engagement with Islamic Teachings

This research explores the impact of podcasts on millennial engagement with Islamic teachings, investigating how this digital medium influences religious education, community-building, and identity formation. Through interviews, surveys, and content analysis, the study reveals that podcasts play a significant role in enhancing accessibility to Islamic knowledge, offering millennials a flexible and personalized avenue for learning and exploration. Diverse content preferences among millennials highlight the importance of tailoring podcast content to meet the varied needs of the audience, ranging from theological discussions to practical advice on applying Islamic principles. Moreover, Islamic podcasts foster online communities where millennials connect, seek guidance, and engage in religious discourse, strengthening their commitment to faith and promoting social connection. Trust in podcast hosts and content creators emerges as a key factor influencing millennials' engagement and shaping their religious beliefs. Furthermore, podcasts featuring global perspectives contribute to intercultural understanding and appreciation for the diversity within the Muslim community. While podcasts offer numerous benefits for millennial engagement with Islamic teachings, challenges such as content quality and misinformation underscore the importance of addressing these issues to maximize the educational value and impact of Islamic podcasts in the digital age.

Syncretism and Identity: The Integration of Lutheranism among the Mari People of Bashkortostan, Russia

Purpose of the Study: This study explores the intricate process of religious syncretism and identity transformation among the Mari people of Bashkortostan through the integration of Lutheranism into their traditional and Orthodox Christian practices. Methodology: Employing a mixed-methods approach, this research combines qualitative insights from field observations, interviews, and sociological surveys with quantitative data analysis to examine the impact of Lutheranism on the Mari's ethnic identity, cultural adaptation, and social dynamics. Main Findings: The findings reveal that culturally sensitive missionary strategies, including the use of the Mari language and incorporation of ethnic cultural elements into Lutheran worship, have facilitated the acceptance and integration of Lutheranism among the Mari, leading to the formation of a novel religious identity. This identity reflects a dynamic synthesis of traditional Mari beliefs and Lutheranism, embodying the broader phenomena of adaptation and resistance in a globalizing world. Applications of this Study: This study offers insights into the complexity of religious evolution and the role of syncretism in preserving cultural heritage amidst modern challenges. Novelty/Originality of this Study: The study contributes to the discourse on religious syncretism, cultural adaptation, and the resilience of ethnic identities, offering insights into the complexities of religious evolution and the role of syncretism in preserving cultural heritage amidst modern challenges. The research underscores the significance of intercultural dialogue and the adaptability of religious practices, highlighting the potential for mutual enrichment between global religious traditions and local cultural contexts.

Pengajaran Dalam Gereja Di Kelas Katekesasi Menurut Kisah Para Rasul 2:42

The aim of this research is to explore and understand the important role of teaching in the church context, especially in catechesis classes, as outlined in Acts 2:42. The research approach consists of an exegetical method that involves analyzing the text of Acts 2:42 from historical, cultural and theological perspectives. In addition, the library study method is used to examine teaching concepts within the framework of theology and church practice through related scientific books and journals. The research results show that teaching in catechesis classes has a significant impact in building the foundation of faith, strengthening the church community, and directing spiritual growth. The practical implications of these findings can be used as a guide to strengthen the role of teaching in the formation of religious identity and spiritual growth in church communities.

Becoming Europeanized Muslims: Religious Identity Formation among Millennials in the Indonesian Muslim Diaspora in the Netherlands

Abstract This article aims to provide insight into the formation of religious identity among the millennial generation of the Indonesian Muslim diaspora in the Netherlands, identifying its main influencing factors. Our empirical study identified a dynamic and diverse process regarding the formation of the millennial group’s religious identity, expressed dynamically in various aspects of Islamic teachings at the level of religious beliefs, morals or ethics, and practices. The negotiation process between their Islamic and Western identities produced various identity statuses, namely diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, and achievement. The process shifts between exploration and commitment. The study concludes that religious identities formed through exploration are more established and more adaptable to environmental changes than those based on commitment with no exploration. Second, the formation of the Indonesian Muslim millennial diaspora’s religious identity is influenced by three key factors, namely social environment, reference groups, and role models.

RELIGIOUS IDENTITY: RESEARCH BY DOMESTIC SCIENTISTS

The article provides an overview of research on religious identity conducted by the scholars from Kazakhstan. An analysis of various methodological approaches and the evolution of the study of religious identity in Kazakhstan was carried out. The findings were obtained through application of a qualitative analysis of 21 publications using the keyword “Religious identity” in two internationally recognized citation databases, i.e., “Scopus” and “Web of Science”. Through application of such research method, the authors attempted to answer the research questions relating to following issues; the aspects religious scholars from Kazakhstan pay attention to and scientific conclusions they reached when studying the problem of religious identity, the hierarchy of factors influencing the formation of religious identity, interaction of religious identity with other spheres of identity and forms of its manifestation. The analysis of publications allowed the authors to carry out some terminological differentiation and identify the main priority areas that would enable scholars from Kazakhstan to formulate future research tasks. Further, the article focuses specifically on the religious identity of women and provides the results of the analysis of educational, age, ethnic, and cultural factors forming and changing their religious identities. At the same time, the analysis of the selected publications made it possible to identify the gaps jeopardizing the advancement of the scholarship of religious identity in Kazakhstan.

The Effect of Childhood on the Formation of Religious Identity: A Psychological Analysis in the Context of Role Theory

Hayata gözlerini açan insanoğlu, kendisini bir dinî geleneğin ve kültürün içerisinde bulur. Dinî sözler ve telkinlerle karşılaşır, dinî nesne ve mekânları müşahede eder, dindar kimselerle görüşür ve onlarla iletişim içerisinde hayatını sürdürür. Din hakkında ailesinden, çevresinden çeşitli bilgiler öğrenir; dinî ibadetlerini yerine getiren insanları görür ve zaman zaman bu ibadetlere kendisi de katılır. Sorular sorar, araştırmalar yapar, dinî söz ve kavramları kullanmaya yönelir. Çocukluk dönemi, yetişkinlik dönemi dinî inanç, tutum ve davranışlarının oluşmasında başka bir deyişle dinî kimliği inşasında önemli etkiye sahiptir. Bu çalışma kapsamında bireysel ve kolektif dinî kimliğin kökenleri, çocukluktan yetişkinliğe kadar olan dinî deneyimler ve kültürel bağlamlar incelenmiştir. Böylece, katılımcıların dinî anlatılar ve geleneklerden edindiği referans çerçevelerini anlamlandırarak dinî kimliklerini nasıl inşa ettikleri araştırılma yoluna gidilmiştir. Bu bağlamda dinî kimliğin inşasını şekillendiren ve tanımlamaya yardımcı olan faktörler teorik ve alan araştırması olmak üzere iki boyutta analiz edilmiştir. 2021-2022 yılları arasında Kahramanmaraş’ta ikamet eden 25-75 yaş arasında 60 katılımcı ile görüşülmüştür. Çalışmada yetişkin dindar bireylerin dinî kimliklerini nasıl inşa ettikleri ile ilgili elde edilen bulguların analizi nitel veri toplama yöntemlerinden fenomenolojik desen kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmada fenomenolojik desenle özdeşleşmiş olan amaçlı örneklem yöntemi ile katılımcılar seçilmiş, 5 ana kategori ve 13 alt kategori için ayrı ayrı hazırlanmış yarı yapılandırılmış sorularla 40-160 dakika arasında yüz yüze derinlemesine görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Elde edilen veriler MAXQDA 12 paket programı ile analiz edilmiş ve kategoriler oluşturulmuştur. Bu noktada araştırmamızda Bir insanın dinî kimliğinin şekillenmesinde ve sürdürülmesinde etkili olan faktörler nelerdir? sorusuna araştırma bulguları çerçevesinde cevap aranmaktadır. Rol kuramının temel yaklaşımlarından hareket eden çalışma sonucunda elde edilen bulgulardan hareketle bireyin dini kimliğini inşasında “aile” faktörünün önemli olduğu gözlemlenmiştir. Dinî kimliğin şekillenmesinde aile üyelerinden etkili olanlar anne-baba olmasının yanında bazı katılımcıların üzerinde ailenin diğer büyüklerinden büyük-anne, büyük-baba gibi aile fertlerinin de etkisi olduğu gözlemlenmiştir. Bunun yanı sıra ailenin veya çevrenin yönlendirmesi ile gidilen okul ve kursların, tanışılan din görevlisi ve dini grupların, takip edilen medya programlarının aileden sonra bireyin dinî kimliği inşasını etkileyen faktörler olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Çalışmada aynı zamanda dinî metinlerin ve folklorik öğelerin, bireyin yaşantısında sembolik olarak yansıtılan kılık kıyafet tarzı, yeme içme gibi seçimlerin yapılmasında, dinî emirlerinin ve ahlâkî ilkelerin uygulanmasında kısacası dinî kimliğinin inşasında kalıp roller sağladığı tespit edilmiştir.

DESIGNING A CULTURE-CREATIVE PARADIGM OF ISLAMIC EDUCATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONAL EDUCATIONAL POTENTIAL IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

The issue of spiritual and cultural educational components research in the Republic of Kazakhstan is predetermined by the growth trends of Islamic ethnic instruments, which occupy a special place in the religious development of the individual as a subject of moral and educational phenomena. The research aims to analyze the features of spiritual and moral models of Islamic education, considering the educational function of learning and the secular society of Kazakhstan. To complete the aims, the following methods were used: descriptive, modeling, survey, and comparative. The results determined that religious education not only played a role in the formation of religious and national identity in the historical process of Kazakhstan but also became the center of reform in the process of secularization because of its long history and important position. The educational situation in the religious context is constantly changing, given its decline in a secularized society. However, the religious status in the public life of the people is still gradually increasing, given the tendency of competition between Islamic models of education. In this regard, a survey of pupils and students of Islamic institutions in Kazakhstan was conducted, which allowed us to identify the features of the educational and moral components, which are represented in a different number of Islamic models of personality.

AGAMA DAN RELASI BUDAYA DALAM ISLAM: MENJELAJAHI PERAN PENTING BUDAYA DALAM PEMBENTUKAN IDENTITAS KEAGAMAN

Religion is regarded as a decree from God and is an important institutional structure that complements the social system. Islam arrived in Indonesia in the 13th and 16th centuries AD, and is now the second largest religion in the world after Christianity. Culture also plays a significant role in shaping religious identity. Religion and culture are two distinct yet important and sensitive entities in the social environment. Both are primordial aspects inherent to communities and individuals and influence each other. Culture can influence religious views, and vice versa, religion can influence culture. In this article, the author uses a qualitative literature study method to provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between religion and culture in Islam as well as how culture affects the formation of religious identity. The purpose of this article is also to explain how the concept of social justice in Islam can bring harmony between different cultures.

The problem of the formation of Muslim identity in the Republic of Bashkortostan

The article analyzes the identity of followers of Islam in the Republic of Bashkortostan from the point of view of the discursive tradition.The purpose of this study is to establish the features of the formation of Muslim identity in the territory of modern Bashkortostan. The subject of the study is the formation of Muslim identity in modern Bashkortostan. The object of the study are individual residents of the Republic of Belarus who profess Islam. To conduct the study, a set of field research methods was applied: direct observation of the object of study, survey, questionnaire. In the course of the study, the author makes a distinction between different groups of Muslims in Bashkiria. The author of the article examines in detail the various types of religious identity of Muslims of Bashkortostan. The relevance of this study lies in the fact that in the conditions of modernization of Russian society, its religiosity is increasing. At the same time, there is a certain blurring of the religious identity of Russian Muslims due to the globalization of culture. The author of the article suggests the incompleteness of the formation of religious identity due to a number of objective factors, in particular, due to the lack of clear differentiation between religious and ethnic identity, as well as differences in the ideals and values of different generations. The novelty of the research lies in the establishment of new factors influencing the formation of the Muslim identity of the inhabitants of modern Bashkortostan.

Toward an Integrative Theory of Identity Formation; Three Components of the Religious Identity Formation Process

Toward an Integrative Theory of Identity Formation; Three Components of the Religious Identity Formation Process

Krisis Identitas Agama pada Usia Remaja

Adolescence is a period full of changes, both physical and psychosocial, resulting in dynamic changes in the way they view and think about themselves and the world. Changes that lead to cognitive maturity: this is a condition of anxiety that is often interpreted as a search for identity or an identity crisis, where this condition is a natural one for adolescents, and part of that search includes the search for forms of religious identity, which is the principle of human life. Many factors influence the crisis of religious identity in adolescents, as well as the need to identify the right dominant factor to use as a reference in the formation of a healthy religious identity.

Catalysts of Connectedness: Three Wellsprings of Jewish Culture and Their Effects on Jewish Cultural Identity

Jewish identification and engagement have cultural as well as religious salience. Jewish cultural engagement, however, is overwhelmingly circumscribed as a fait accompli, often an outcome, rarely a predictor in quantitative examinations of contemporary Jewish life. Consequently, the sociological understanding of Jewish cultural identity formation is limited. This study examines Jewish cultural identity formation in young Australian Jews, identifying roles played by three wellsprings, or sources of Jewish culture. Using the Gen17 Australian Jewish Community Survey 2018, the most recent nationally representative study of Australian Jewry, relationships between Jewish day school education, communal engagement, cultural upbringing, and cultural identity were analyzed using linear and OLS regression models. Jewish day school education significantly affected cultural identity; without mediating effects of communal engagement, however, day school education’s effects were inconsequential. High-level cultural upbringing had amplifying effects, while low-level cultural upbringing had attenuating effects on associations between Jewish day school education and cultural identity. The cultural identity formation mechanism was similar to a proposed religious identity formation mechanism. These results highlight interconnected and indirect effects of cultural wellsprings on identity formation, and similarities between cultural and religious identity formation, with implications for scholars of culture and religion.

Coming of Age in Faith: The Rite of Confirmation after the English Reformation

This article explores confirmation as a ritual of Christian initiation in the context of the English Reformation. It examines how this rite of passage, which was demoted from its traditional status as a sacrament, survived and evolved in the wake of the theological, liturgical and ecclesiological changes associated with the advent of Protestantism. It traces the permutations of the practice of laying on of hands that both united and fractured people within the Church of England and its evangelical outer rings between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. It also considers the social history of a ritual that increasingly coincided with the transition from childhood to puberty, and its capacity to shed light on the formation of collective religious identity, bodily habitus and lived experience. Finally, it briefly discusses the Counter-Reformation of confirmation and its transformation into a marker of the confessional militancy of a minority faith.

Perspectives on Chinese, Buddhist, and Environmental Philosophy

Appeals to the significance of a culture, tradition, or way of life can simultaneously edify and alienate different audiences as they serve an identity-forming and other-excluding function. The imaginary that some cultures are civilized and complex and others natural and simple has been complexly mediated through the historical entanglements and interactions between, on the one hand, colonialism and Eurocentrism and, on the other, varieties of anti-colonial resistance and the postcolonial formation of contemporary national, cultural, and religious identities. It is in this context that claims of the ostensible intrinsic naturalness and “greenness” of a culture or tradition are perceived and debated.

Change and stability in religious identity formation among high-school graduates undertaking religious mechina gap-year programs in Israel

Change and stability in religious identity formation among high-school graduates undertaking religious mechina gap-year programs in Israel

Közgazdaságtani modellek a valláskutatásban

The economics of religion has entered the social science mainstream in recent decades, mainly through the work of Roger Finke, Laurance Iannaccone and Rodney Stark. In these works, the authors sought to lay down a new theoretical framework for explaining religious phenomena that could be used to provide a new context for the empirical data sets of sociology of religion by applying approaches to rational choice theory and the concept of the market. In doing so, they have sought to overcome the secularisation thesis (Iannacone 1998, Finke and Stark, 2000) and the view that the religious dimension is primitive or at least irrational (Stark, Iannaccone and Finke, 1996). The first half of the following paper focuses on this economic approach, reflecting in this context on the changing nature of religiosity in modern times, the challenges of religious identity formation, and the issue of religious markets resulting from contemporary pluralism, including the spiritual offer in Hungary. In the second part, relevant parts of our data collected over several years at the Everness festival, which provides a platform for the display of a broad spectrum of Hungarian spiritual offerings, are briefly presented, along with religious market supply trends.

Being a Muslim In a Catholic Family and Vice Versa: Religious Education in Mixed-Faith Families in Flores, Eastern Indonesia

This study explores religious education and identity formation among families within mixed-faith families in Flores, Eastern Indonesia, specifically, Muslim-Catholic families. This ethnographic research observes and holds in-depth interviews with eight mixed-faith families comprising four to eight family members. This study finds that mixed-faith families continue to carry out the process of faith education and identity formation for all their members. However, the presence of family members with different religions gives a distinctive character because there are always negotiations, adaptations, and even transformations. The form, intensity, and model of faith education between families differ depending on the context of a mixed-faith family formation, one's position and power in the family, one's way of thinking about religion, and the spiritual environment around the family. Faith education in a mixed-faith family can positively deepen faith, strengthen religious identity, increase knowledge about other religions, foster tolerance, and appreciate diversity. This can also fade away the identity and belief of the minority and even can lead to conversion. However, the bond of family love does not cause differences, fights and conversions into one meaningful conflict.