Communal Religiosity as One of the Common Aspects of Religiosity in Turkey Türkiye'de Dindarlığın Yaygın Görünümlerinden Biri Olarak Cemaat Dindarlığı

In this study, the characteristics of the communal type of religiosity, one of the common aspects of religiosity in Turkey, are discussed. As religion affects social life, social living conditions also shape religious views and understandings. Various forms of religious cooperation arise where religion forms a spiritual and mental bond for a particular community. One of the essential aspects of religious life and cooperation in Turkey is religious communities. Although religious communities represent a certain religious discourse and way of life, they are sociologically integrated structures with each other, consisting of economic, political, educational, legal, socializing and productive sub-functional systems. Those who belong to the religious community first experience a sense of neighborliness that gives them the feeling of being attached to a piece of land on which they settle. Secondly, religious communities give their members a sense of unity and awareness of community connection. The purpose of community consists of the importance of being us as well as the sense of role-playing and, of course, the sense of belonging. Socialization processes have an important role in forming this attitude. At the same time the community becomes the symbol of partnerships in various areas of life and creates a unique religiosity model. Understanding the communal type religiosity model and analyzing its unique elements will be an essential effort to understand the religious life in Turkey and show the possibilities of recognizing the dynamics of religious groupings. Our study aims to reveal how various groups in Turkiye that stand out with their religious identities create a type of religiosity. The characteristics of the communal type of religiosity will be evaluated through qualitative studies on the subject and theoretical approaches to religious groups. While communal religiosity unites the group’s adherents through a certain religious discourse and way of life, it also becomes an opportunity for secularization for them. Although group partnerships in religious communities come to the fore around certain religious discourses and goals, one of the important functions of these communities is to create a common service and goods exchange center for their members in all areas of life. In addition, religious communities function as units of friendship and solidarity. They serve as a religious identity for their adherents, who help their adherents in vital matters such as finding work, food and a spouse, and who come together with their regular conversations.