Journal of Religious and Cultural Dynamics

Religion and Attitudes towards Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Fatma Zehra, Ayşe Nur, Zeynep E Melike — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore how religion influences people's attitudes towards issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity, with a focus on understanding how religious beliefs and teachings shape perspectives on LGBTQ+ communities.

Methods: The study involved a comprehensive review and analysis of existing literature, scholarly articles, reports, and other relevant sources to gain insights into the influence of religious beliefs on attitudes towards sexual orientation and gender identity.

Results: The study found that religion plays an important role in shaping attitudes towards sexual orientation and gender identity. Religious doctrines and moral frameworks significantly influence how followers perceive and respond to LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. Views ranged from intolerant and condemnatory attitudes to more inclusive and accepting stances, depending on religious interpretations.

Conclusion: Religious beliefs and teachings have a substantial impact on forming attitudes towards sexual orientation and gender identity. Religion can both promote prejudice against LGBTQ+ communities and serve as a source of support and acceptance, depending on the traditions, leadership, and interpretations embraced within specific faith groups.

Recommendation: Religious institutions should reflect on how their doctrines and teachings impact attitudes towards sexual orientation and gender identity, striving for more inclusive and compassionate stances that uphold the dignity of all individuals. Religious leaders have an important role to play in modeling a faithful approach that emphasizes love, care and counsel for LGBTQ+ communities. Continued interfaith and interfaith dialogue is also crucial to help religious groups evolve towards more positive and constructive stances.

Examination of Fatherly Responsibility in Children Moral Training: Contextualizing Ephesians 6:4 among Baptist Families in Abraka Metropolis

Agbogun Avwerosuoghene Joseph — Sat, 14 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: Family is a foundational social institution that raises human constituents of the society. It is expected that before young people leave their parents homes to school or any form of independent living, they may have been adequately trained or given their moral foundations. It is alarming seeing the manner of behaviour and anti-social characters perpetuated by young people in the society. There is no respect for constituted authority; no decency; no courtesy and respect for elders; no politesse among age groups, among others. It seems that the family is failing like the church and school in the business of moral training of children. Thus, this study sought to examine how Ephesians 6: 4 can inform teaching of moral values to children through the family among Baptist families in Abraka Metropolis.

Methodology: The research methods adopted are exegetical and phenomenological wherein oral interview is used to gather information from the target population. The population entails parents of the Baptist denomination in the city. Simple random sampling was used to select 15 parents. Oral interview was employed to elicit the opinion of the participants.

Findings: The study discovered that the parents recognize and accept their responsibilities of training and disciplining children in the family according to the bible teaching. Parents get their children involved in social and religious activities that help them develop good morals.

Conclusion: The study concluded that since prevention is better than cure good morals can be implanted into children without their consciousness.

Recommendation: This study recommends that fathers should rise to determine the moral contents, method taught and outcome.

The Influence of Religion on Attitudes towards Death among Muslim Communities in Ghana

Akua Abena, Efua Ama — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of religion on attitudes towards death among Muslim communities in Ghana, with a focus on how religious beliefs and practices shape perspectives on end-of-life matters.

Methods: The study past literature and historical accounts to understand how Islamic beliefs about death have evolved over time within the Ghanaian context.

Results: The study revealed that Islamic religious beliefs and traditions play a significant role in shaping Muslim communities' attitudes towards death in Ghana. Core Islamic theological concepts related to the afterlife, fate, and the will of God influence perspectives on death as both inevitable and predestined. Islamic funeral and mourning rituals provide communal coping mechanisms for dealing with loss and reinforcing belief in the hereafter.

Conclusion: Religion has a profound influence on attitudes towards death among Muslim communities in Ghana. Islamic religious beliefs, rituals, and traditions provide a frame of meaning that shapes perspectives on death as inevitable yet purposeful, and provide coping mechanisms and sources of comfort for bereaved individuals and communities.

Recommendation: There should be more research into how Islamic religious beliefs and practices shape end of life experiences and provision of thanatology services in Ghana, with the aim of providing culturally appropriate and compassionate care for Muslim patients and communities. Overcoming misconceptions and promoting interfaith dialogue on matters related to death and dying could help improve end of life care and support for Ghanaians.