Search Results (82)

Muslims are religiously obligated to care for the Earth, yet little empirical research exists on how Muslim communities in the U.S. engage with climate change. This study used a mixed-methods approach to explore climate change knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among 82 Muslims in Knoxville, Tennessee, building on prior theoretical or internationally focused work. Results found that participants largely accepted anthropogenic climate change and were strongly willing to act, citing Islamic principles such as stewardship and divine accountability as key motivators. However, many felt underinformed and lacked clarity on how to take action. Religious texts, more than religious leaders, shaped environmental views, offering interpretations that both aligned with and diverged from scientific narratives. Education and personal experience were the most frequently cited sources of climate understanding. Religion emerged as an important source of climate knowledge and a filter through which scientific information was interpreted. The knowledge and environmental attitudes inspired by their religion guided many participants to mitigate climate impacts, although some expressed a more fatalistic view of climate change. These findings suggest that effective climate communication in Muslim communities should integrate faith-based teachings with scientific messaging and engage religious leaders as amplifiers. Expanding this research to include more diverse Muslim populations across the U.S. can provide deeper insight into how Islamic worldviews shape climate engagement and behavior. Full article

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. Full article

The study examines how individual skills influence adolescents’ and young adults’ commitment to climate protection and global health. Based on 21st-century skills and transformative education, it focuses on competences in science, geography, mathematics, religion, ethics, and media. A representative online survey of 783 participants in Germany assessed topic relevance, information-seeking behavior, and active engagement. The results show that subject-specific skills significantly affect engagement, especially when closely related to the topics. Scientific, mathematical, and geographical competences enhance all three engagement dimensions. Media competence primarily increases perceived importance, while religious and ethical competences positively influence all areas. Structural equation modeling reveals a process: perceived relevance leads to information search, which then drives engagement. Thus, competences have both direct and indirect effects on active involvement. The findings highlight that long-term engagement is not only driven by campaigns but also by education that equips young people with the skills to recognize important issues, seek information, and take action independently. Full article

This study explores the role of religion as a state-promoted tool for political assimilation in Pakistan’s border provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan. The study is based on five phases of fieldwork (2016–2024) combined with a thematic literature review. The research explores how religious strategies were deployed to forge a unified national identity in these regions. The findings reveal significant disparities in the effectiveness of these strategies. In KP, historical factors, cultural alignment, and geopolitical influences—particularly the Afghan conflict—largely facilitated the integration of Pashtun identity into Pakistan’s broader Islamic-national framework. Tools such as madrassa networks, education reforms, religious slogans, and state-backed Islamist parties effectively promoted religious nationalism. In contrast, religious assimilation efforts in Balochistan largely failed due to entrenched ethnic nationalism, economic exclusion, and political marginalization. Attempts to expand madrassas, delegitimize nationalist leaders as “anti-Islamic,” and support religious movements have been met with resistance, deepening distrust between the Baloch population and the state. The study found that religion alone cannot sustain national cohesion, particularly in regions with longstanding grievances and systemic inequalities. This research emphasizes the limitations of top-down, coercive assimilationist policies and underscores the necessity for more inclusive approaches, such as addressing economic disparities, recognizing regional identities, and promoting political participation as essential components for building a sustainable and unified nation. The study provides critical insights for policymakers, advocating for a shift from religious assimilation to strategies that prioritize justice, equity, and cultural accommodation, particularly in KPK and Balochistan. Full article

This study examines critical challenges associated with religious literacy in contemporary South Korea and educational approaches to address them. By analyzing data from the Religious Literacy Survey 2023 (n = 2022), we reveal that these paradoxical attitudes stem from a declining religious literacy, manifested as limited knowledge of religious traditions and their teachings. Amid the rise in the number of the religiously unaffiliated, our analysis indicates that this trend reflects not a rejection of religion but rather an urgent need for education to enhance religious literacy. Based on this analysis, we examine religious education curricula at Dongguk and Yonsei Universities as exemplars that not only deepen students’ understanding of specific religious traditions but also help them recognize religion’s enduring relevance in addressing contemporary societal challenges. Building on these cases, while recognizing their limitations as religiously affiliated institutions, we emphasize the need for an integrated educational approach to religious literacy—one that extends beyond specific traditions and incorporates religious studies examining various dimensions of religion itself. We further suggest the broader implementation of religious literacy education across higher education institutions. Such educational approaches provide insights into fostering social cohesion and meaningful interreligious engagement in South Korea and beyond. Full article

Background/Objectives: As dementia progresses, patients often lose decision-making capacity, leaving family members responsible for making critical end-of-life (EOL) care decisions. This cross-sectional descriptive study explored the factors associated with the intention to complete an advance directive (AD) among family caregivers of older adults with dementia in South Korea. Methods: This study surveyed 140 caregivers aged 20 years or older to assess their knowledge of advance directives (ADs), preferences for EOL care, and attitudes toward withdrawing life-sustaining treatment (LST). Data were collected from 1 August to 14 August 2024, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact test, Spearman’s correlation, and logistic regression, with SPSS/WIN 28.0. Results: The intention to complete an AD significantly differed by religion (p = 0.004) and the functional status of the patient with dementia (p = 0.012). There was a positive correlation between intention to complete an AD and knowledge of ADs (r = 0.23, p = 0.007). Factors associated with intention to complete an AD included religion (OR = 4.36, p = 0.028) and knowledge of ADs (OR = 1.16, p = 0.033), explaining 22.2% of the variance, which is considered meaningful in studies dealing with complex psychosocial and behavioral variables. Conclusions: These findings suggest that religious affiliation and knowledge of ADs may contribute to greater emphasis on EOL preparedness and self-determination. To promote informed decision making, it is essential to implement targeted educational interventions—such as community-based workshops, telehealth counseling, and in-clinic guidance—that enhance caregivers’ understanding of ADs and empower them in their caregiving roles. Full article

Overcoming its self-referential preoccupations, theology today is urged to exit into the public square characterized by multiple types of diversity. One of the crucial public domains in which religions have played a significant role is education. In the contemporary multireligious Indian context, the question that arises is whether we can consider Salesian pedagogy as public religious pedagogy, that is, if educators affiliated to neighbour religions can share the Salesian/religious pedagogy in Salesian educational institutions. It is our contention that the prism of public theology can shed some light on such a possibility. With this intent, we first elucidate the configuration of public theology amidst religious pluralism focusing successively on public practical theology of education, public religious education, and public religious pedagogy. This is then followed by a synthesis of Salesian pedagogy and the research design of a qualitative study on its lived experience among Hindu and Muslim educators, namely, professors in Salesian colleges, teachers in Salesian schools, and social collaborators in Salesian study centres of Tamil Nadu, India. Lastly, based on the emerging findings we highlight the relevance and advancement of Salesian pedagogy as public religious pedagogy. Full article

This study examines the role of Buddhism in the vitality of local languages as an asset of indigenous traditions, focusing on two geographically disconnected minority language communities: Tai Phake in the state of Assam, India, and Wutun (Ngandehua) in the Qinghai province of China. The investigation addresses various factors related to the ecology of speech communities discussed in connection with religion. The data are based on longitudinal observations from personal fieldwork in the respective locations over the past two decades. The descriptive and comparative analysis applies an ecology-based typology of minority language situations to assess the contribution of individual factors in three different domains (speakers, language, and setting) to the vitality of the Tai Phake and Wutun languages. The results reveal several areas in which Buddhism as a cultural authority has noticeably contributed to language preservation. The effects of Buddhism are considered significant in enhancing demographic stability, social setting, attitudes, awareness of historical legacy, education in monasteries, and sustainable economics. In contrast, religion does not account for the vitality of these local languages in situations where a low degree of dialectal variation does not complicate intergenerational transmission of language, the minority status of the speech community is unique, and space for language in the institutionalised domain of use is insufficiently provided. Full article

Background: The existing literature often oversimplifies the complex relationship between religion and Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health (AYSRH), particularly regarding church-based interventions. This study aimed to investigate the nature and implementation strategies of church AYSRH programmes within their belief systems to inform effective programme development. Methodology: An interpretive descriptive design was employed. Data were collected in the Vaal Triangle region of South Africa (Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging, and Sasolburg) between August 2019 and February 2020. In-depth interviews were conducted with pastors, government officials, and school principals. Focus group discussions were held with parent and youth church groups alongside youth groups from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. Data were analyzed using Atlas.ti v.23. Results: Church-based AYSRH interventions primarily emphasize information provision and abstinence until marriage, aligned with prevailing moral values. These interventions are delivered through integration into existing church programmes and collaborations with external stakeholders for specialized areas like contraception. Limitations identified included ineffectiveness, superficiality, impracticality, tensions between religious doctrine and lived realities, a reductionist focus, a singular information-sharing approach, and limited pastor understanding and openness regarding AYSRH. Conclusions: Churches possess valuable communication platforms and partnerships that could be leveraged for AYSRH interventions. However, this study highlights a one-sided focus on church teachings and significant tensions between idealized approaches and practical implementation, raising critical questions about the overall efficacy of church-led AYSRH projects. This research validates prior findings on church-based AYSRH interventions while offering nuanced insights and heuristic perspectives for a more comprehensive and less simplistic understanding of church-driven AYSRH services. Full article

During the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination hesitancy (VH) posed an equally unexpected and significant obstacle to the effectiveness of public health interventions. VH has not only the potential to stir up public unrest, but it may also impede the success of entire immunization programs and thus prevent the attainment of herd immunity. This cross-sectional, quantitative, and descriptive study examined VH and vaccination behavior (VB) among 3486 university students in Ghana, using a standardized self-administered questionnaire based on the 5Cs model among other relevant variables. The findings confirm a significant VH and a VB influenced by both sociodemographic factors, such as gender (OR: 1.45; [CI: 1.26–1.67]), study program (OR: 0.55; [CI: 0.47–0.64]), and ethnicity (OR: 1.31; [CI: 1.12–1.52]) and also four of the 5Cs, i.e., Confidence (OR:1.56; [CI: 1.45–1.68]), Constraints (OR: 0.83; [CI: 0.78–0.87]), Calculation (OR:0.85; [CI: 0.78–0.92]), and Collective Responsibility (OR:1.27; [CI: 1.16–1.38]), yet not Complacency, nor religion. Notably, VH was further shaped by previous vaccine experience, information sources, vaccine attributes, stance on vaccine passport, and conspiracy beliefs, with misinformation from unofficial sources playing a key role. The multiple regression models explained 11% to 34% of the variance in the 5Cs, indicating varying degrees of explanatory power for each factor influencing VB and eventually also VH. This study highlights the urgent need for targeted public health interventions, such as integrating vaccine education into university orientation programs, streamlining vaccination processes, and leveraging influencers for trust-building campaigns. Full article

This article examines Iceland’s scheme for educational exemptions based on religion, life philosophies, or personal convictions, comparing it with the schemes used in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Despite curricular reforms promoting inclusivity, Christian favouritism persists in Icelandic schools, often embedded in traditions classified as cultural rather than religious. The requirement for “valid arguments” in Iceland’s exemption process raises concerns over the law’s ambiguity and potential conflict with human rights law, specifically, the European Court of Human Rights’ emphasis on individual thought and conscience. This lack of clarity may deter parents and pupils from seeking exemptions and infringe upon privacy and religious freedom rights. The study underscores the need to refine exemption schemes to better protect individual rights while upholding educational integrity. It advocates for ongoing research into the right to be exempted in the Icelandic context. Full article

Creating a conceptual unity is an important starting point for understanding a subject. It is more difficult to find a common definition if the concept in question is ‘religion, religiosity, secularism’, which can vary according to the field of the person making the definition, where he/she positions himself/herself in relation to religion, the characteristics of the religion he/she believes in (or does not believe in), and many other parameters. In order to draw the boundaries of this research correctly, it is necessary to clarify the development and changes in the concept of ‘religion’ and the related concepts of ‘religiosity and secularism’ in the historical process. Among the places where the effectiveness of these concepts at the theoretical level can be examined are the textbooks taught in Anatolian Imam Hatip High Schools. The nature or content of the fiqh textbooks taught in Imam Hatip High Schools, which can be exemplified as an educational institution of religious culture reinforcement in Turkey, is within the scope of this study. In connection with this subject, the aim of this study is to analyse the fiqh and fiqh reading textbooks taught in Anatolian Imam Hatip High Schools from the perspective of religiosity and secularism. Fiqh, from the perspective of Islamic theology, contains normative principles that govern personal and social practices. As textbooks, fiqh and fiqh readings were chosen because they are likely to provide data on the subject. This research employs a qualitative approach, utilising document analysis as its primary method to investigate these textbooks. The analysis is based on textbooks that were approved by the Ministry of National Education and taught during the 2023–2024 academic year. For the purposes of this study, only explicit verbal content was considered, while implicit messages were excluded. As a result of this study, it is understood that both books have a religiosity-centred perspective and that there are chapters in which changes are taken into consideration rather than secularism. Full article

Religious freedom and the right to practice a religion by persons deprived of their liberty do not cause controversy in democratic states. The challenge, not easily met, is to exercise guaranteed religious rights in penitentiary facilities. This study aimed to compare legal regulations and the level of protection of religious freedom that they impose with the real possibility of the voluntary performance of religious practices. In other words, this study sought to answer the question of whether prisoners in Polish penitentiary facilities are free to practise the religion of their choice and are not forced to participate in religious practices against their will. This article presents the general results of a survey on religious practices carried out in the Polish penitentiary facilities that were examined. The data were supplemented by prisoners’ comments about freedom to practice religion. This article includes the comments of both believers (assessing the availability of practices) and non-believers (assessing the compulsion to participate in the practices of the dominant religion). Opinions about practising a religion given by the penitentiary staff will serve as a specific counterpoint. The presented study results allowed the formulation of basic conclusions of a general nature, which can contribute to further discussions on religious freedom in post-criminal isolation units. The survey was carried out from March to October 2022 based on a prepared questionnaire. It was completed by 556 prisoners, including 34 females and 444 males (68 respondents did not indicate their gender). In total, prisoners incarcerated in 35 penitentiary facilities located throughout Poland were surveyed. Simultaneously, a survey was carried out among educators and teachers in all the above penitentiary facilities, who completed, in total, 164 questionnaires. An analysis of the replies to the questions and the free comments of all the respondents and their comparison with the current regulations make it possible to conclude that Poland—on a constitutional and statutory level—adequately safeguards prisoners’ religious rights, but their practical application must be assessed as unsatisfactory. Prisoners do not always have the possibility to observe rites or manifest their religion. Problems are encountered by both followers of the strongly dominant religion in Poland (Roman Catholicism) and minority denominations. Despite the reported difficulties, Roman Catholics are indisputably in a much more favourable position. Freedom from religion is also not fully respected—prisoners involuntarily participate in certain practices and take part in the religious observance of church festivals. Full article

In diverse classrooms, one of the challenges educators face is creating assessments that reflect the different cultural backgrounds of every student. This study presents a novel approach to the automatic generation of cultural and context-specific science assessments items for K-12 education using generative AI (GenAI). We first developed a GenAI Culturally Responsive Science Assessment (GenAI-CRSciA) framework that connects CRSciA, specifically key cultural tenets such as indigenous language, Indigenous knowledge, ethnicity/race, and religion, with the capabilities of GenAI. Using the CRSciA framework, along with interactive guided dynamic prompt strategies, we developed the CRSciA-Generator tool within the OpenAI platform. The CRSciA-Generator allows users to automatically generate assessment items that are customized to align with their students’ cultural and contextual needs. We further conducted a pilot demonstration of item generation between the CRSciA-Generator and the base GPT-4o using standard prompts. Both tools were tasked with generating CRSciAs that aligned with the Next Generation Science Standard on predator and prey relationship for use with students from Ghana, the USA, and China. The results showed that the CRSciA-Generator output assessment items incorporated more tailored cultural and context assessment items for each specific group with examples, such as traditional stories of lions and antelopes in Ghana, Native American views on wolves in the USA, and Taoist or Buddhist teachings on the Amur tiger in China compared to the standard prompt assessment items within the base GPT-4o. However, due to the focus on nationality in the pilot demonstration, the CRSciA-Generator assessment items treated the countries as culturally homogeneous, overlooking subcultural diversity in these countries. Therefore, we recommend that educators provide detailed background information about their students when using the CRSciA-Generator. We further recommend future studies involving expert reviews to assess the cultural and contextual validity of the assessment items generated by the CRSciA-Generator. Full article

The consumption of contaminated water contributes to the global burden of diarrhea and other water-borne diseases, especially among young children. While decentralized solar water disinfection treatment systems (hereafter SODIS) remain a viable option to have safe drinking water, our understanding of the effects of household water treatment before use on willingness to accept and adopt a SODIS is limited. In this study, a complementary log-log regression analysis of the compositional and contextual factors that systematically vary with willingness to accept and adopt a SODIS in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba (STK) district of Ghana was carried out. Based on our findings, a greater proportion of households (97%) are willing to accept and adopt a SODIS. Compositional and contextual factors such as age, marital status, education, religion, and geographical location significantly contribute to households’ willingness to accept and adopt a SODIS in the STK district of Ghana. Households that treat their water before use (66%, p < 0.05) are more likely to accept and adopt a SODIS compared to those that do not treat their water before use. The findings, therefore, suggest that scaling up SODIS in the STK district is sacrosanct and highlight the necessity to analyse compositional and contextual factors influencing willingness to accept and adopt SODIS. Our findings will inform policies and programs aimed at implementing SODIS in the study area to improve the health of communities that rely on poor-quality drinking water sources. Full article