Fatima Jinnah Women University, Mall Road, Rawalpindi

Academic Year 2021-25

Department: Islamic Studies

Assignment no 1: Psychology Of Religion

Semester: B-VI
Course: World Religions
Date of Submission: 29th February, 2024

Submitted By:
Eman Sheraz (2021-B-Isl.St-016)
Sidra Tul Muntaha Nadeem (2021-B-Isl.St-043)

Submitted To:
 Dr. Hafsa Ayaz Qurashi

Religion:
the word ‘religion’ is heard by the average person, there is a customary and typical meaning which
comes to mind. The common definition of religion is “a belief in a supernatural and metaphysical
reality”. Some might argue that this should be simply stated as believing in God as viewed by the
Abrahamic Religions, but that would then force us to cut out belief systems, such as Hinduism,
Buddhism, Taoism, Pantheism, Scientology etc., which don’t share the same idea regarding God –
whether that be a belief in multiple gods, all of reality being considered a god, or a belief system that has
no concept of God at all. Below are some western dictionary & scholarly definitions of ‘religion’:
1. According to islamic Scholars:

 Allamah Tabataba’i (ra) in Islamic Teachings in Brief1:

“Religion refers to the beliefs and a series of practical and moral instructions that the
prophets have related on behalf of Allah to guide and lead human beings.” (Although
this definition seems very limited, in his commentary on the last ayah of Surah
Kaafiroon, he seems to imply that religion has a broader definition, which also includes
the religion of the polytheistic enemies of the prophet(s).)

 Allamah Sayyid Sa’eed Akhtar Rizvi – Need for Religion2:

“The Arabic word “Deen” which is translated as “Religion” in English is used for
several meanings:
a. “Islam; Belief in unity of God; Worship; Obedience; All the acts of worship; piety;”
All these meanings are interrelated and are connected with the belief in Creator.
b. “Judgment; Reward or Punishment; Account; Order; Law;” These meanings are
inter-related and point to the belief in the Life-Hereafter.
c. The third group of its meanings is: “Custom; character; Habit; Religion revealed and
traditional both.’”
2. According to Dictionary:
 Oxford3:
“The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal
God or gods.”

 Penguin Dictionary of Religions (1997)4.

1
http://www.al-islam.org/islamic-teachings-in-brief-allamah-tabatabai/religion
2
http://www.al-islam.org/need-religion-allamah-sayyid-saeed-akhtar-rizvi/need-religion
3
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/religion
4
http://www.fs.cornell.edu/hr/diversity/religion.cfm
 “Religion: A general term used… to designate all concepts concerning the belief in
god(s) and goddess(es) as well as other spiritual beings or transcendental ultimate
concerns.”
3. According to Atheist Scholar:
Atheists seem to have a different way of defining religion. They claim that religion is ‘belief in
the irrational’ or ‘that which cannot be proven’. They use their negative definitions to say that
religion is evil. Here are some other examples of definitions or concepts of religion from those
who don’t support it.

 Bertrand Russell5:
“Religion is something left over from the infancy of our intelligence; it will fade away as
we adopt reason and science as our guidelines.”

 George Santayana6:
“Religions are the great fairy tales of conscience.”
Definition of psychology7:
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. It encompasses various aspects such as
thoughts, feelings, perceptions, motivations, emotions, and actions. This field explores how individuals
perceive, think, feel, and interact with their environment.
Psychology of religion8:
Psychology of religion studies the psychological elements of religious beliefs, experiences, practices,
and behaviours. It investigates how religious beliefs affect people's ideas, feelings, and behaviours, as
well as how psychological elements determine religious experiences and expressions.
Following are some key aspects of psychology of religion:
1. Belief formation:
The psychology of religion revolves around understanding how religious beliefs emerge.
According to cognitive theories, individuals have a natural tendency to seek patterns and
meaning, which can lead to the formation of religious beliefs. Social learning theories emphasise
the importance of cultural and social influences in creating ideas, such as parental, societal, and
peer effects.
2. Coping and meaning making:
5
Pizzaro, R. (n.d.). Lamp of Harmony (p. 43).
6
Santayana, G., & Coleman, M. (2009). The essential Santayana selected writings (p. 8). Bloomington: Indiana University
Press.
7
American Psychological Association (APA). (2020). APA Dictionary of Psychology (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: American
Psychological Association.
8
Hood, R. W., Hill, P. C., & Spilka, B. (2009). The Psychology of Religion: An Empirical Approach (4th ed.). New York,
NY: Guilford Press.
 Religion is commonly used as a coping tool, assisting people in dealing with stress, uncertainty,
and problems with one's In the face of misfortune, people find comfort hope, and a sense of
purpose through rituals, prayer, and faith in a higher power. The psychology of religion examines
how religious beliefs and practices influence psychological well-being and resistance.
3. Identity and community:
Religion has a profound impact on how individuals and groups identify. It creates a sense of
unity, purpose, and common ideals within religious communities. The psychology of religion
investigates how religious identity development impacts confidence, social interactions, and
within-group dynamics, including prejudice and discrimination.
4. Religious experience:
Religious experiences can range from spiritual encounters to emotions of wonder and elevation
while praying or worshipping. The psychology of religion studies the psychological mechanisms
that support these experiences, such as altered states of consciousness, suggestibility, and an
understanding of uncertainty. It also investigates how religious experiences shape ideas,
attitudes, and behaviour.
5. Morality and ethics:
Religion often gives values and ethical concepts that shape behaviour. The psychology of
religion deals with the psychological principles of moral thinking, compassion, and ethical
decision-making within contexts of religion. It also investigates the links between religious
beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours, such as social behaviour and stereotypes.
Theroy on Psycology of Religion:
1. Geertz followed Weber when he wrote that “man is an animal suspended in webs of significance
he himself has spun and the analysis of it to be therefore not an experimental science in search of
law but an interpretive one in search of meaning”. Geertz held the view that mere explanations
to describe religions and cultures are not sufficient: interpretations are needed too. He advocated
what he called thick descriptions to interpret symbols by observing them in use, and for this
work, he was known as a founder of symbolic anthropology. Geertz saw religion as one of the
cultural systems of a society. He defined religion as a system of symbols, which acts to establish
powerful, pervasive and long-lasting moods and motivations in men, by formulating conceptions
of a general order of existence and clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality
that, the moods and motivations seem uniquely.9
2. The psychology of religion is a field that examines the psychological processes involved in
religious beliefs, behaviors, and experiences. One prominent theory within this field is the
"attachment theory of religion," proposed by Kirkpatrick (2005). This theory suggests that
people's relationships with their caregivers during childhood influence their later attachment to
religious figures or deities. Individuals who have secure attachments with caregivers are more

9
https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/f6f33080-7dde-4e51-88ef-59c9fd931fca/downloads/pozugumemegijoxoti.pdf
 likely to develop positive views of God or spiritual entities, while those with insecure
attachments may struggle with feelings of abandonment or anger towards religious figures. 10
Why there is need of religion:
Religion can serve a wide range of purposes. Religion can be a source of comfort and guidance. It can
provide a basis for moral beliefs and behaviors. It can also provide a sense of community and connection
to tradition. Some research even suggests that it may affect health.
The impact of religion on health and life expectancy has always been a tricky area of research. It seems
(to some) that religious people defined here as people who attend religious services regularly seem to be
healthier than those who don't attend.
This has led to a line of research looking into the impact of religion on health to determine what, if any,
positive benefit religion could have on life expectancy. This research is tricky, however, because of
several factors that are difficult to control for, including:
 People who attend religious services may simply be healthier than those who cannot attend.
 The benefits may have more to do with social contact than religion itself.
 Certain religions may encourage healthy behaviors.
Religion can also play a role in helping people cope with mental health conditions. People often turn to
their religious beliefs in order to cope with symptoms of mental illness and to help manage stress.
Research has also shown that religious people often first turn to religious clergy when they need
treatment for mental health conditions. Religious and pastoral counseling can be an important resource
for people of faith who want to incorporate their religious and spiritual beliefs into their
treatment. Twelve-step addiction treatment programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) also
sometimes take a faith-based approach to treatment.
Conclusion:
To conclude that religion contains a diverse set of ideas, practices, and experiences. It is not limited to a
specific religion or supernatural force, but rather contains a wide range of spiritual systems such as
Hinduism and Buddhism. Religion provides many people with comfort, guidance, and a sense of
community, which influences their beliefs, behaviours, and, probably health. Meanwhile, psychologists
investigate how religious beliefs and experiences shape people's ideas, feelings, and behaviours. It
explores issues like as belief formation, ways to cope, identity, religious experiences, and morality in the
context of religion. Finally, religion and psychology connect to examine a complex connection between
faith, mental processes, and personality.
References:
1. http://www.al-islam.org/islamic-teachings-in-brief-allamah-tabatabai/religion
10
Kirkpatrick, L. A. (2005). Attachment, Evolution, and the Psychology of Religion. Guilford Press.
2. http://www.al-islam.org/need-religion-allamah-sayyid-saeed-akhtar-rizvi/need-religion
3. http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/religion
4. http://www.fs.cornell.edu/hr/diversity/religion.cfm
5. Pizzaro, R. (n.d.). Lamp of Harmony (p. 43).
6. Santayana, G., & Coleman, M. (2009). The essential Santayana selected writings (p. 8).
Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
7. American Psychological Association (APA). (2020). APA Dictionary of Psychology (2nd ed.).
Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
8. Hood, R. W., Hill, P. C., & Spilka, B. (2009). The Psychology of Religion: An Empirical
Approach (4th ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
9. https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/f6f33080-7dde-4e51-88ef-59c9fd931fca/downloads/
pozugumemegijoxoti.pdf
10. Kirkpatrick, L. A. (2005). Attachment, Evolution, and the Psychology of Religion. Guilford
Press.