Original scientific paper
The religiosity of students and its influence upon daily life
Zdravka Leutar
; Pravni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Ivan Leutar
Abstract
This essay presents research findings on the issue of religiosity as exhibited in the student population and also the influence of the same on daily life. The survey was carried out on a sample of 117 students in the course of three years at the Faculty of Philosophy of the Society of Jesus in Zagreb who attended optional classes on Spirituality and Social Activity. The following topics were examined: the content per se of religiosity; its relationship to Church teaching and regulations and the influence of religiosity on daily life. Each of these three scales was subdivided into a total of twelve different spheres of religiosity. The method applied was that of a structured questionnaire containing 126 sets of questions which were compiled by S. S. Coric. The results of the survey demonstrated that we are dealing with a fairly homogenous group. Socio-demographic features cannot be linked to dimensions of religiosity, which can also be said about this research topic in general. The manner in which religiosity was developed and some dimensions of family structures were demonstrated to be linked with religiosity to a far greater degree. Openness and criticality as a general characteristic of youth also proved to be significant
Research findings demonstrated that most students do not practise their faith on a regular basis, while only one-third of the students do so regularly. They are generally speaking not interested in events and activities regarding the Church. In addition to the diverse activities for young people already offered by the Church it is clear that more versatile methods must be sought out. The openness and criticality of youth must be channeled into seeking new paths and ways in which they might develop their spiritual lives and live out their spirituality daily in their own unique way.
Keywords
religiosity; students; practising the faith; fostering religiosity; tolerance
Hrčak ID:
12051
URI
Publication date:
15.5.2007.
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