"One's self-concept."
Looks at the relationship between religion and identity and how they are interconnected.
Religion and Identity: This topic examines the relationship between religion and individual or group identity formation. It explores how religion shapes personal identity and group identity, and the role of religious symbolism, ritual and narratives in the formation of social and cultural identities.
Religious Pluralism: This topic addresses the coexistence and interaction of different religious traditions within a society, and how they shape and influence each other. It explores issues such as tolerance, accommodation, and the potential conflicts that arise from religious diversity.
Religious Fundamentalism: This topic discusses the tendency of some religious groups to interpret religious texts literally and adhere to traditional beliefs and practices. It explores the social and political implications of religious fundamentalism, including its relationship to violence and extremism.
Religion and Power: This topic examines the relationship between religion and power, and the role of religious institutions and leaders in shaping social, political and economic systems. It explores issues such as religious hierarchy, authority, and the use of religious symbols and beliefs to legitimize political power.
Religion and Gender: This topic explores the ways in which religion shapes gender roles and identities, and how gender shapes religious beliefs and practices. It addresses issues such as gender-based discrimination, the role of women in religious leadership, and the intersection of gender with other aspects of identity such as race, class and sexuality.
Religion and Globalization: This topic examines the impact of globalization on religious beliefs and practices, and how religion intersects with global economic, political and cultural trends. It explores issues such as the spread of religious ideologies, the role of religious institutions in international politics, and the impact of global religious movements on local cultures and traditions.
Religion and Social Change: This topic explores the ways in which religion has influenced social change throughout history, and how religious movements have responded to social and political shifts. It addresses issues such as religious activism, the role of religious institutions in social reform, and the impact of religion on revolutionary movements and social upheaval.
Religion and Race: This topic explores the ways in which religion intersects with racial identity and discrimination. It addresses issues such as the role of religion in perpetuating or challenging racism, the relationship between religious institutions and racial politics, and the ways in which religious beliefs and practices shape racial identity.
Religion and Politics: This topic examines the relationship between religion and political power, and the ways in which religious beliefs and practices shape political ideologies and policies. It explores issues such as the separation of church and state, religious freedoms and rights, and the political impact of religious groups.
Religion and Secularism: This topic examines the relationship between religion and secularism, and the ways in which religious beliefs and practices intersect with secular worldviews. It addresses issues such as the secularization of society, the challenges of religious pluralism in secular contexts, and the impact of secularism on religious beliefs and practices.
Christianity: A religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the belief in one God.
Islam: A monotheistic religion based on the teachings of the prophet Muhammad, as outlined in the Qur'an.
Hinduism: A polytheistic religion with a variety of beliefs and practices, including karma and reincarnation.
Buddhism: A religion based on the teachings of the Buddha, emphasizing the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to reach enlightenment.
Judaism: A monotheistic religion based on the Torah, with a strong emphasis on the covenant between God and the Jewish people.
Atheism: The absence of belief in a God or gods.
Agnosticism: The belief that the existence of God or gods cannot be proved or disproved.
New age spirituality: A movement that emphasizes individual spirituality, often incorporating elements of Eastern religions, paganism, and other spiritual practices.
Secularism: The idea that social and political institutions should be separate from religion and religious beliefs.
Humanism: A belief in the value and potential of human beings, emphasizing reason, ethics, and compassion.
Paganism: A polytheistic religion, often associated with pre-Christian European cultures.
Sikhism: A monotheistic religion based on the teachings of Guru Nanak, emphasizing equality and social justice.
Rastafarianism: A Jamaican-based religion that emphasizes black liberation and the worship of Haile Selassie I.
Shintoism: A Japanese religion that emphasizes the connection between humans and nature, often incorporating the worship of ancestors and spirits.
Taoism: A philosophy and religion based on the teachings of Lao Tzu, emphasizing living in harmony with the natural world.
"Refers specifically to religious group membership regardless of religious activity or participation."
"The religious context can generally provide a perspective from which to view the world, opportunities to socialize with a spectrum of individuals from different generations, and a set of basic principles to live out."
"The identity formation literature has mainly focused on ethnicity and gender."
"An increasing number of studies have begun to include religion as a factor of interest."
"Researchers have examined the various factors that affect the strength of one's religious identity over time."
"Factors that have been found to affect levels of religious identity include gender, ethnicity, and generational status."
"Sociologists and anthropologists also apply the term 'religious identity' and examine its related processes in given social contexts."
"Changes in identity ascription affected how Muslims sought to represent themselves."
"Concept appropriated from race and gender identity theory such as disidentification."
"Individuals have a 'fixed' religious identity, independent of pre-existing systems of representation and individuals' positioning within them."
"Individuals who share the same religious identity are called coreligionists."
"It is the sense of group membership to a religion and the importance of this group membership as it pertains to one's self-concept."
"Refers specifically to religious group membership regardless of religious activity or participation."
"These foundations can come to shape an individual's identity."
"Factors that have been found to affect levels of religious identity include gender."
"The identity formation literature has mainly focused on ethnicity and gender."
"One important study... explored... how changes in identity ascription affected how Muslims sought to represent themselves."
"Concepts appropriated from race and gender identity theory such as disidentification."
"[Religious identity] is the sense of group membership to a religion."