Contemporary Approaches in the Sociology of Religion: An Analysis of Sociological Studies on Religion Conducted in Europe and America in the Last Decade

Abstract

This study aims to identify significant developments in the sociology of religion over the past decade, focusing on the predominant topics and preferred methodologies. The rapid changes brought about by globalization, advancements in communication tools, shifts in information reception, and the rise of artificial intelligence significantly impact the relationship between society and religion. These changes pose challenges in tracking their societal impacts. Utilizing the AI-based Scite citation database, studies conducted in the sociology of religion over the past decade were listed, and previously unaddressed but frequently recurring topics were coded. As a result, four main categories emerged: digital religion, lived religion, ethnicity and migration, and nonreligion. Each category’s topics were examined through purposively selected articles, aiming to provide substantial contributions to theoretical frameworks and applied research for emerging scholars in the sociology of religion. By categorizing the studies into these themes, the research aimed to highlight the evolving nature of the sociology of religion in response to contemporary societal changes. The four themes explore different religious experiences and identity aspects in contemporary society. "Digital Religion" examines the interaction between religious individuals and digital media, highlighting the shift to online religious services during the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting opportunities and challenges for traditional religious practices. This theme analyzes how technology fosters new forms of religious expression and community building while questioning religious authority and authenticity. "Lived religion" focuses on personal and communal aspects of religious life, emphasizing how individuals integrate religious beliefs into daily routines and the fluidity of religious identity outside institutional settings. The theme of "ethnicity and migration" investigates the intersections of race, religion, and white privilege, exploring how religious identity is shaped by racial dynamics and the systemic challenges faced by marginalized groups within religious communities. Finally, "nonreligion" delves into the rise of secularism, examining the reasons behind religious disaffiliation and its societal implications, including the construction and maintenance of secular identities and the responses of religious institutions and public policy to growing secularism. Together, these themes provide a comprehensive understanding of the evolving landscape of religion and spirituality in the modern world. The findings from this study indicate a shift in the sociology of religion towards micro-issues imposed by the post-modern era, moving away from traditional themes like secularization, religious identity, and pluralism. The research underscores the sociology of religion's resilience and adaptability in exploring new areas of research despite ongoing challenges and criticisms. While traditional methodologies continue to dominate, there is a recognized need for incorporating new tools, such as AI, to better understand the complex and fluid nature of contemporary social structures. This study provides a foundation for future theoretical and applied research in the sociology of religion, offering valuable insights for researchers, students, and academics in related fields. The comprehensive approach to analyzing recent trends and themes in the sociology of religion highlights the dynamic and evolving nature of the field, ensuring its relevance and significance in understanding modern social phenomena.

Keywords

• Sociology of Religion
• Contemporary Sociology of Religion
• Digital Religion
• Lived Religion
• Ethnicity and Migration
• Gender
• Nonreligion

Din Sosyolojisinde Güncel Yaklaşımlar: Son On Yılda Avrupa ve Amerika’da Din Sosyolojisi Alanında Yapılan Çalışmaların Analizi

Abstract

Bu çalışmada, son on yılda din sosyolojisi alanında hangi yeni konu ve yöntemlerin ön plana çıktığı ve bunların toplumsal dinamikleri nasıl yansıttığı sorusuna cevap aranacaktır. Son on yılda küreselleşmenin getirdiği hızlı değişimler, iletişim araçlarındaki gelişmeler, bilgi alanındaki değişimler ve yapay zekânın yükselişi, toplum ve din arasındaki ilişkiyi önemli ölçüde etkilemektedir. Bu değişimlerin hızı, ortaya çıkardığı toplumsal etkilerin izlenmesinde zorluklar yaratmaktadır. Bu sebeple din sosyolojisinde hangi konuların ön plana çıkmaya başladığı özellikle genç araştırmacılar için önemli bir sorundur. Bu çalışmada yapay zekâ tabanlı Scite atıf veritabanı kullanılarak, son on yılda din sosyolojisinde Avrupa ve Kuzey Amerika’da İngilizce üretilen çalışmalar listelenmiş ve daha önce ele alınmamış ancak sıkça tekrar eden konular kodlanmıştır. Sonuç olarak, son on yılda dört ana kategorinin ön plana çıktığı tespit edilmiştir: a) Dijital din, b) yaşanan din, c) etnisite ve göç, d) son olarak ise dini aidiyetsizlik (din dışılık). Her kategorinin konuları, dikkatle seçilmiş makaleler aracılığıyla incelenmiş ve din sosyolojisinde yeni araştırmacılar için teorik çerçeveler ve uygulamalı araştırmalara önemli katkılar sağlanması amaçlanmıştır. Bu dört tema, çağdaş toplumda farklılaşan dini deneyimler ve dini kimliğin dönüşümüne odaklanmaktadır. “Dijital Din”, dini bireyler ile dijital medya arasındaki etkileşimi incelemekte, özellikle COVID-19 pandemisi sırasında çevrimiçi dini hizmetlere geçişin sağladığı imkanlar ve zorlukları vurgulamaktadır. Bu tema, teknolojinin yeni dini ifade biçimlerini ve dijital cemaatleşme yollarını nasıl ürettiğini, aynı zamanda dini otorite ve otantiklik konularını nasıl sorguladığını analiz etmektedir. “Yaşanan Din” kişisel ve toplumsal dini yaşamın yönlerine odaklanmakta, bireylerin dini inançları günlük rutinlerine nasıl entegre ettiğini ve kurumsal bağlamlar dışındaki dini kimliğin akışkanlığını vurgulamaktadır. “Etnisite ve Göç” teması, ırk, din ve beyaz ayrıcalığın kesiştiği noktaları araştırmakta, dini kimliğin ırksal dinamiklerle nasıl şekillendiğini ve dini topluluklar içindeki marjinal grupların karşılaştığı sistemik zorlukları incelemektedir. Son olarak, “Din Dışılık” sekülerizmin bir sonraki aşamasına işaret etmekte, dini bağlantısızlığın arkasındaki nedenleri ve bunun toplumsal sonuçlarını araştırmakta, seküler kimliklerin inşası ve sürdürülmesi ile dini kurumların ve kamu politikalarının büyüyen sekülerizme tepkilerini ele almaktadır. Bu temalar, modern dünyada din ve maneviyatın gelişen manzarasını kapsamlı bir şekilde anlamamıza yardımcı olmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın bulguları, din sosyolojisinin geleneksel temalardan uzaklaşıp post-modern çağın getirdiği mikro meseleler üzerine yöneldiğini göstermektedir. Sonuç olarak araştırma, din sosyolojisinin, devam eden zorluklar ve eleştirilere rağmen, yeni araştırma alanlarını keşfetme konusundaki direncini ve uyum yeteneğini vurgulamaktadır. Bununla birlikte geleneksel metodolojilerin hâlâ baskın olduğunu; çağdaş sosyal yapının karmaşık ve akışkan doğasını daha iyi anlamak için yeni araçların ve yöntemlerin çalışmalara dahil edilmesi gerektiğini öne sürmektedir. Bu çalışma, din sosyolojisi alanında gelecekteki teorik ve uygulamalı araştırmalar için bir temel sunmakta, ilgili alanlarda araştırmacılar, öğrenciler ve akademisyenler için değerli bilgiler sağlamaktadır. Din sosyolojisindeki son eğilimleri ve temaları analiz etmeye yönelik kapsamlı yaklaşım, alanın dinamik ve gelişen doğasını vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

• Din Sosyolojisi
• Çağdaş Din Sosyolojisi
• Dijital Din
• Yaşanan Din
• Etnisite ve Göç
• Dini Aidiyetsizlik

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