A Sociological Analysis on the Functions of Religious Groups in Turkish Society and The Reasons for Their Preference

Halil İbrahim Akkuş

Makale detayları

A Sociological Analysis on the Functions of Religious Groups in Turkish Society and The Reasons for Their Preference

Yazarlar:

Halil İbrahim Akkuş

Yayıncı:

Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University

Ana Başlıklar:

Din Sosyolojisi

Dergi:

Burdur İlahiyat Dergisi Issue 7, pp.76-94

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

12/2023

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001307619

pISSN:

2980-2407

Anahtar kelimeler:

Özet:

 Religious groups, which have existed as a social reality in the socio-religious lives of societies throughout human history, appear as important sociological phenomena that somehow continue their existence in modern times. Based on the fact that structures, institutions, phenomena and systems that continue to function in human and social life can maintain their continuity, we can state that the impact of the individual and social functions of religious groups is of great importance in maintaining their existence and being preferred. It is seen that the functions of religious groups, to which individuals gravitate towards different expectations, are not limited to the religious field only in todays Türkiye, as in the historical process, but they carry out activities in many areas. First of all, it would be appropriate to state that religious groups have the feature of opposing the main religious group and that they function as a protest movement and a new solution against some aspects of the current religious understanding, interpretation and practice. For some individuals, one of the most important functions of religious groups is to provide them with the intensity of religious feeling that they lack in the main religious group and to ensure that their religious lives are more disciplined. On the other hand, the rapid social change experienced in Türkiye after 1950, In the face of factors such as unhealthy urbanization, rapid population growth, unplanned urbanization, unemployment, cultural and political instability, and identity crisis, which cause individuals to feel fear, anxiety and insecurity, especially in metropolises, people have turned to religious groups that they see as a safe haven. For some individuals who are becoming increasingly lonely in crowds, religious groups have become tools that will help them and support them when they are in trouble and alleviate their anxiety. In our country, religious groups, especially the congregations of modern times, have functioned as safe havens and solution centers with their cooperation and solidarity activities, and their visibility has increased in all areas of life. Religious groups, have socially important functions as important economic formations by opening institutions such as schools, dormitories and hospitals. It is seen that the activities of these groups towards media and tourism have increased on the grounds that they will mediate religious services. Almost every group has media outlets such as magazines, newspapers, publishing houses, TV channels, websites and has a travel agencies. Although religious groups have some positive functions in the social structure, their negative functions should also be mentioned. First of all, religious groups do not allow critical thinking by expecting unconditional obedience from their followers.This situation can lead to the formation of passive and satellite personalities of group members. Again, the understanding of unconditional obedience to the group or group leader may create troublesome situations in terms of state and social security. On the other hand, they can use the power they have in employment areas only for the benefit of their own group members, which creates satisfaction for the followers but damages the sense of justice in society. As a result, the visibility and sphere of influence of religious groups increases day by day, and they continue their existence on the social ground, sometimes with positive and sometimes negative functions. When it comes to an important factor such as religion that affects individuals attitudes and behaviors, the knowledge, religious education and practices produced in the name of religion are of great importance. In this context, we can state that the control of the information produced and transmitted through religious groups, as well as the auditability and control of the economic and social activities of these groups, stands out as a problematic area. This situation is of much greater importance, especially for a country like Türkiye, which has strategic importance in terms of geography, politics and religion.

 İnsanlık tarihinde toplumların sosyo-dinî hayatlarında sosyal bir gerçeklik olarak varlık bulan dini gruplar, modern dönemlerde de varlığını bir şekilde sürdüren önemli sosyolojik olgular olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. İnsan ve toplum hayatında işlevi devam eden yapı, kurum, olgu ve sistemlerin devamlılığını koruyabileceği gerçekliğinden hareketle, dini grupların varlıklarını sürdürmede ve tercih edilmelerinde, bireysel ve toplumsal açıdan sahip oldukları işlevlerin etkisinin büyük önem taşıdığını ifade edebiliriz. Bireylerin farklı beklentilerle yönelim gösterdikleri dini grupların, tarihsel süreçte olduğu gibi günümüz Türkiyesinde de fonksiyonlarının yalnızca dini alanla sınırlı kalmadığı, birçok alanda faaliyet yürüttükleri görülmektedir. Öncelikle dini grupların, ana dini gruba yönelik bir itiraz niteliği taşımakta olduklarını ve mevcut dini anlayışın bazı yönlerine, yorumlama ve uygulama şekillerine karşı bir protesto hareketi ve yeni bir çözüm yolu olarak işlev gördüklerini ifade etmek yerinde olacaktır. Bazı bireyler açısından dini grupların en önemli işlevlerinden birisi, ana dini grupta yoksunluğunu hissettikleri dini duygu yoğunluğunu elde etmeleri ve dini hayatlarının daha disipline olmasını sağlamalarıdır. Diğer taraftan Türkiyede 1950 sonrası yaşanan hızlı sosyal değişme, özellikle metropollerde çarpık kentleşme, hızlı nüfus artışı, işsizlik, kültürel ve siyasal istikrarsızlık, kimlik krizi gibi bireylerin korku, endişe ve güvensizlik hislerine kapılmalarına sebep olan faktörler karşısında kişiler güvenli liman olarak gördükleri dini gruplara yönelmişlerdir. Kalabalıklar içerisinde yalnızlaşan bazı bireyler için dini gruplar, başlarına sıkıntı geldiğinde yardım ve destekleriyle yanı başlarında olacak, kaygılarını hafifleten araçlar olmuştur. Ülkemizde dini gruplar, özellikle modern dönemlerin cemaatleri, ortaya koydukları yardımlaşma ve dayanışma faaliyetleriyle birer güvenli liman ve çözüm merkezi olarak işlev görmüşler ve bu grupların görünürlükleri yaşamın her alanında günden güne artmıştır. Dini gruplar açtıkları okullar, yurtlar, hastaneler vs. ile önemli birer iktisadi oluşumlar olarak toplumsal açıdan önemli işlevlere sahiptirler. Grupların dini hizmetlere aracılık yapacağı gerekçesiyle basın-yayın ve turizme yönelik faaliyetlerinin de arttığı görülmektedir. Neredeyse hemen her grubun dergi, gazete, yayınevi, TV kanalı, internet sitesi gibi yayın organları ve seyahat acentesi bulunmaktadır. Dini grupların toplumsal yapı içinde bazı pozitif işlevleri bulunmasına karşın negatif fonksiyonlarından da bahsetmek gerekir. Öncelikle dini grupların müntesiplerinden kayıtsız şartsız itaat bekleyerek eleştirel düşünceye imkân tanımaması edilgen ve uydu kişiliklerin oluşumuna yol açabilmektedir. Yine gruba veya grup liderine koşulsuz şartsız itaat anlayışı, devlet ve toplum güvenliği açısından sıkıntılı durumlar ortaya çıkarabilir. Diğer taraftan istihdam alanlarında sahip oldukları gücü, sonuna kadar kendi grup mensuplarının menfaatleri için kullanabilmektedirler ki, bu durum müntesipler açısından memnuniyet oluştururken toplumda adalet duygusunu zedelemektedir. Neticede dini grupların görünürlükleri ve nüfuz alanları her geçen gün daha da artmakta, kimi zaman olumlu kimi zamansa olumsuz fonksiyonlarıyla bu gruplar toplumsal zeminde varlıklarını sürdürmektedirler. Bireylerin tutum ve davranışlarını etkileyen din gibi önemli bir faktör söz konusu edildiğinde, din adına üretilen bilgi, dini eğitim ve uygulamalar büyük önem arz etmektedir. Bu bağlamda dini gruplar aracılığıyla üretilen ve aktartılan bilginin, diğer taraftan bu grupların iktisadi ve sosyal faaliyetlerinin denetlenebilirliği ve kontrolünün problematik bir alan olarak ortada durduğunu ifade edebiliriz. Bu durum özellikle Türkiye gibi coğrafî, siyasî ve dinî bakımdan stratejik önemi haiz bir ülke açısından çok daha büyük önem arz etmektedir.

 Religious groups, which have existed as a social reality in the socio-religious lives of societies throughout human history, appear as important sociological phenomena that somehow continue their existence in modern times. Based on the fact that structures, institutions, phenomena and systems that continue to function in human and social life can maintain their continuity, we can state that the impact of the individual and social functions of religious groups is of great importance in maintaining their existence and being preferred. It is seen that the functions of religious groups, to which individuals gravitate towards different expectations, are not limited to the religious field only in todays Türkiye, as in the historical process, but they carry out activities in many areas. First of all, it would be appropriate to state that religious groups have the feature of opposing the main religious group and that they function as a protest movement and a new solution against some aspects of the current religious understanding, interpretation and practice. For some individuals, one of the most important functions of religious groups is to provide them with the intensity of religious feeling that they lack in the main religious group and to ensure that their religious lives are more disciplined. On the other hand, the rapid social change experienced in Türkiye after 1950, In the face of factors such as unhealthy urbanization, rapid population growth, unplanned urbanization, unemployment, cultural and political instability, and identity crisis, which cause individuals to feel fear, anxiety and insecurity, especially in metropolises, people have turned to religious groups that they see as a safe haven. For some individuals who are becoming increasingly lonely in crowds, religious groups have become tools that will help them and support them when they are in trouble and alleviate their anxiety. In our country, religious groups, especially the congregations of modern times, have functioned as safe havens and solution centers with their cooperation and solidarity activities, and their visibility has increased in all areas of life. Religious groups, have socially important functions as important economic formations by opening institutions such as schools, dormitories and hospitals. It is seen that the activities of these groups towards media and tourism have increased on the grounds that they will mediate religious services. Almost every group has media outlets such as magazines, newspapers, publishing houses, TV channels, websites and has a travel agencies. Although religious groups have some positive functions in the social structure, their negative functions should also be mentioned. First of all, religious groups do not allow critical thinking by expecting unconditional obedience from their followers.This situation can lead to the formation of passive and satellite personalities of group members. Again, the understanding of unconditional obedience to the group or group leader may create troublesome situations in terms of state and social security. On the other hand, they can use the power they have in employment areas only for the benefit of their own group members, which creates satisfaction for the followers but damages the sense of justice in society. As a result, the visibility and sphere of influence of religious groups increases day by day, and they continue their existence on the social ground, sometimes with positive and sometimes negative functions. When it comes to an important factor such as religion that affects individuals attitudes and behaviors, the knowledge, religious education and practices produced in the name of religion are of great importance. In this context, we can state that the control of the information produced and transmitted through religious groups, as well as the auditability and control of the economic and social activities of these groups, stands out as a problematic area. This situation is of much greater importance, especially for a country like Türkiye, which has strategic importance in terms of geography, politics and religion.

 Religious groups, which have existed as a social reality in the socio-religious lives of societies throughout human history, appear as important sociological phenomena that somehow continue their existence in modern times. Based on the fact that structures, institutions, phenomena and systems that continue to function in human and social life can maintain their continuity, we can state that the impact of the individual and social functions of religious groups is of great importance in maintaining their existence and being preferred. It is seen that the functions of religious groups, to which individuals gravitate towards different expectations, are not limited to the religious field only in todays Türkiye, as in the historical process, but they carry out activities in many areas. First of all, it would be appropriate to state that religious groups have the feature of opposing the main religious group and that they function as a protest movement and a new solution against some aspects of the current religious understanding, interpretation and practice. For some individuals, one of the most important functions of religious groups is to provide them with the intensity of religious feeling that they lack in the main religious group and to ensure that their religious lives are more disciplined. On the other hand, the rapid social change experienced in Türkiye after 1950, In the face of factors such as unhealthy urbanization, rapid population growth, unplanned urbanization, unemployment, cultural and political instability, and identity crisis, which cause individuals to feel fear, anxiety and insecurity, especially in metropolises, people have turned to religious groups that they see as a safe haven. For some individuals who are becoming increasingly lonely in crowds, religious groups have become tools that will help them and support them when they are in trouble and alleviate their anxiety. In our country, religious groups, especially the congregations of modern times, have functioned as safe havens and solution centers with their cooperation and solidarity activities, and their visibility has increased in all areas of life. Religious groups, have socially important functions as important economic formations by opening institutions such as schools, dormitories and hospitals. It is seen that the activities of these groups towards media and tourism have increased on the grounds that they will mediate religious services. Almost every group has media outlets such as magazines, newspapers, publishing houses, TV channels, websites and has a travel agencies. Although religious groups have some positive functions in the social structure, their negative functions should also be mentioned. First of all, religious groups do not allow critical thinking by expecting unconditional obedience from their followers.This situation can lead to the formation of passive and satellite personalities of group members. Again, the understanding of unconditional obedience to the group or group leader may create troublesome situations in terms of state and social security. On the other hand, they can use the power they have in employment areas only for the benefit of their own group members, which creates satisfaction for the followers but damages the sense of justice in society. As a result, the visibility and sphere of influence of religious groups increases day by day, and they continue their existence on the social ground, sometimes with positive and sometimes negative functions. When it comes to an important factor such as religion that affects individuals attitudes and behaviors, the knowledge, religious education and practices produced in the name of religion are of great importance. In this context, we can state that the control of the information produced and transmitted through religious groups, as well as the auditability and control of the economic and social activities of these groups, stands out as a problematic area. This situation is of much greater importance, especially for a country like Türkiye, which has strategic importance in terms of geography, politics and religion.

Makale detayları

A Sociological Analysis on the Functions of Religious Groups in Turkish Society and The Reasons for Their Preference

Yazarlar:

Halil İbrahim Akkuş

Yayıncı:

Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University

Ana Başlıklar:

Din Sosyolojisi

Dergi:

Burdur İlahiyat Dergisi Issue 7, pp.76-94

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

12/2023

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001307619

pISSN:

2980-2407

Religious Groups

Congregation

Religious Orientation

Function

Turkish SocietyDini Gruplar

Fonksiyon

Cemaat

Dini Yönelim

Türk Toplumu

Sayı

Makale detayları

Yazarlar: Halil İbrahim Akkuş

Yayıncı: Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University

Ana Başlıklar: Din Sosyolojisi

Dergi: Burdur İlahiyat Dergisi Issue 7, pp.76-94

Belge Tipi: Makale

Yayın Tarihi: 12/2023

Belge Dili: Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.): 2001307619

pISSN: 2980-2407

Sayı

Yazarlar:

Halil İbrahim Akkuş

Yayıncı:

Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University

Ana Başlıklar:

Din Sosyolojisi

Dergi:

Burdur İlahiyat Dergisi Issue 7, pp.76-94

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

12/2023

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001307619

pISSN:

2980-2407