Relationship Between Secularization and the Level of Perceiving Religious Influence Among Individuals Receiving Higher Religious Education
This study investigates the complex relationship between levels of religiosity and attitudes toward secularization among individuals receiving higher religious education in Türkiye. Secularization is defined as the diminishing influence of religion in public life and the rise of critical attitudes t...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| author | Muhammet Fatih Genç Hüseyin Okur Latife Vurgun |
| author_facet | Muhammet Fatih Genç Hüseyin Okur Latife Vurgun |
| author_sort | Muhammet Fatih Genç |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigates the complex relationship between levels of religiosity and attitudes toward secularization among individuals receiving higher religious education in Türkiye. Secularization is defined as the diminishing influence of religion in public life and the rise of critical attitudes toward religious norms, a process that accelerated particularly during the modernization period following the establishment of the Republic. The primary aim of the research is to analyze whether there is a significant relationship between secular attitudes and the perceived influence of Islam among theology faculty students. The study employs a quantitative, descriptive survey design and includes a sample of 380 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students from the faculties of theology at Kocaeli, Sakarya, Marmara, and Istanbul universities. Data were collected using the “Perceived Influence of Religion Scale” and the “Secular Attitude Scale,” both of which demonstrated acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.70). Demographic variables such as age, gender, marital status, parental education level, type of education (formal or distance), and economic status were also incorporated into the analysis. The findings revealed statistically significant differences based on marital status, parental education level, type of education program, and previous educational background. For instance, single students reported perceiving a higher influence of religion compared to their married counterparts, while students with fathers who held university degrees perceived a lower influence of religion. These results offer valuable insights into how modern social transformations influence religious attitudes and practices. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e83f13920e994e31aa42d69865edf651 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj-art-e83f13920e994e31aa42d69865edf6512025-08-20T02:47:05ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442025-07-0116793410.3390/rel16070934Relationship Between Secularization and the Level of Perceiving Religious Influence Among Individuals Receiving Higher Religious EducationMuhammet Fatih Genç0Hüseyin Okur1Latife Vurgun2Department of Religious Education, Faculty of Theology, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli 41001, TürkiyeDepartment of Islamic Law, Faculty of Theology, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli 41001, TürkiyeRepublic of Türkiye Ministry of National Education, Kocaeli 41001, TürkiyeThis study investigates the complex relationship between levels of religiosity and attitudes toward secularization among individuals receiving higher religious education in Türkiye. Secularization is defined as the diminishing influence of religion in public life and the rise of critical attitudes toward religious norms, a process that accelerated particularly during the modernization period following the establishment of the Republic. The primary aim of the research is to analyze whether there is a significant relationship between secular attitudes and the perceived influence of Islam among theology faculty students. The study employs a quantitative, descriptive survey design and includes a sample of 380 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students from the faculties of theology at Kocaeli, Sakarya, Marmara, and Istanbul universities. Data were collected using the “Perceived Influence of Religion Scale” and the “Secular Attitude Scale,” both of which demonstrated acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.70). Demographic variables such as age, gender, marital status, parental education level, type of education (formal or distance), and economic status were also incorporated into the analysis. The findings revealed statistically significant differences based on marital status, parental education level, type of education program, and previous educational background. For instance, single students reported perceiving a higher influence of religion compared to their married counterparts, while students with fathers who held university degrees perceived a lower influence of religion. These results offer valuable insights into how modern social transformations influence religious attitudes and practices.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/7/934religious educationsecularizationperceived religious influencehigher educationtheology students |
| spellingShingle | Muhammet Fatih Genç Hüseyin Okur Latife Vurgun Relationship Between Secularization and the Level of Perceiving Religious Influence Among Individuals Receiving Higher Religious Education Religions religious education secularization perceived religious influence higher education theology students |
| title | Relationship Between Secularization and the Level of Perceiving Religious Influence Among Individuals Receiving Higher Religious Education |
| title_full | Relationship Between Secularization and the Level of Perceiving Religious Influence Among Individuals Receiving Higher Religious Education |
| title_fullStr | Relationship Between Secularization and the Level of Perceiving Religious Influence Among Individuals Receiving Higher Religious Education |
| title_full_unstemmed | Relationship Between Secularization and the Level of Perceiving Religious Influence Among Individuals Receiving Higher Religious Education |
| title_short | Relationship Between Secularization and the Level of Perceiving Religious Influence Among Individuals Receiving Higher Religious Education |
| title_sort | relationship between secularization and the level of perceiving religious influence among individuals receiving higher religious education |
| topic | religious education secularization perceived religious influence higher education theology students |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/7/934 |
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