A Qualitative Exploration of Religiosity Patterns in Adolescents: The Belief-Ritual Gap and Values of Justice and Freedom

Najafi, Mohammadfazel; Rabbani Khorasgani, Ali; Mehrshad, Ahmad

doi:10.22034/jsi.2026.2094185.1840

A Qualitative Exploration of Religiosity Patterns in Adolescents: The Belief-Ritual Gap and Values of Justice and Freedom

Authors

mohammadfazel najafi ¹

Ali Rabbani Khorasgani ²

Ahmad Mehrshad ³

¹ PhD Student in Sociology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

² Full Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Isfahan, Iran. (Corresponding Author)

³ Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Isfahan, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22034/jsi.2026.2094185.1840

Abstract

The study explored religiosity patterns and identified the gap between belief and ritual among 14 male adolescents, aged 15 to 18, at a religious high school in Isfahan. It adopted a qualitative approach using a descriptive-interpretive method grounded in critical realism and dialectical constructivism. Thematic analysis revealed that while the belief dimension (God, Prophet, Hereafter) remains favorable, practical commitment and intellectual dimensions fall into moderate-to-weak and weak categories, respectively demonstrating strong belief alongside weak rituals and knowledge. The experiential dimension proved favorable, whereas the consequential dimension was rated moderate. In defining an ideal religion, justice (economic) and freedom (personal choice, non-coercion) spontaneously emerged as prominent values. Additionally, most participants confirmed cyberspace's dual role: a tool for learning spirituality, yet also a promoter of secularism. Consequently, while basic beliefs and spiritual sentiments persist, traditional rituals and jurisprudential knowledge decline, allowing justice and freedom to become central to the religion they desire.

Keywords

Adolescent Religiosity

Belief-Ritual Gap

Justice and Freedom

Thematic Analysis

Religious High School in Isfahan

Subjects