A Qualitative Study on the Relationship Between Atheism, Deism, and Parenting

Ömer Faruk Bozdoğan; Musa Gürel; İlker Aktürk; Ömer Miraç Yaman

Article Details

A Qualitative Study on the Relationship Between Atheism, Deism, and Parenting

Authors:

Ömer Faruk Bozdoğan | Musa Gürel | İlker Aktürk | Ömer Miraç Yaman

Publisher:

Eskişehir Osmangazi University

Main Topics:

Din Eğitimi | Din Sosyolojisi

Journal:

Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.12 Issue 1, pp.141-162

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001341595

pISSN:

2147-8171

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Atheism and deism represent two approaches that step outside traditional religious belief systems, where an individual either rejects the concept of God or considers it from a different perspective. Atheism is a view that denies the existence of God, thereby rejecting religious doctrines, while deism accepts the existence of God but holds that this deity does not intervene in the universe. For individuals holding these belief systems, particularly in cultures where the majority of people adopt religiously-based lifestyles, family relationships and parenting dynamics may bring various challenges and adaptation processes. Atheist and deist individuals, while questioning the impact of religious teachings or the religious approaches of their parents during childhood, may experience conflicts or estrangement in family relationships. Understanding the impact of atheism and deism on family relationships can contribute to a deeper understanding of the transformation of an individuals religious belief systems and the experiences they undergo in the process. This study aims to explore in-depth the relationships between atheism, deism, parenting, and parental beliefs. The research focuses on individuals who identify as atheists or deists and examines how these belief systems affect family dynamics and the belief development processes of individuals. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with 12 participants who identify as atheist or deist. The analysis of the data resulted in four themes: The Impact of Religious Education in the Family on Becoming AtheistDeist, Relationship with Father Before Becoming an AtheistDeist, The Process of Families Discovering Their Children Are AtheistDeist, The Impact of Being AtheistDeist on Family and Social Relationships. The findings of the research suggest that religious education within the family and parental belief systems may have a triggering effect in the process of becoming atheist or deist. The family stands out as the primary institution where individuals experience their first social interactions and learn about religion and values. In this context, parents serve as the initial role models that influence their childrens religious views and levels of religiosity. Specifically, the attitudes parents exhibit towards their children and the religious practices within the household have a significant impact on shaping individuals beliefs. On the other hand, participants noted that inconsistencies in the religious discourses they were taught by their parents, as well as their parents behaviors contradicting religious principles, negatively affected their beliefs. This was found to influence their shift toward atheism or deism, often leading to an unsatisfactory religious quest. The study also revealed that the relationship with the father had a significant effect on childrens religious perceptions and their attachment to belief systems. A lack of communication, a distant and negative relationship, and neglect were identified as important factors leading children toward disbelief. Furthermore, it was observed that the reactions of families when discovering that their children were atheist or deist were often characterized by shock and disappointment, with some instances involving more aggressive responses such as pressure and exclusion. These types of reactions were found to negatively affect the childrens psychosocial well-being and various aspects of their lives, including work, education, and family formation. The findings of the study emphasize that parental attitudes and religious education play critical roles in shaping individuals belief systems. Based on these results, it is recommended that parents adopt more conscious, inclusive, and understanding approaches to support their childrens belief development.

 Atheism and deism represent two approaches that step outside traditional religious belief systems, where an individual either rejects the concept of God or considers it from a different perspective. Atheism is a view that denies the existence of God, thereby rejecting religious doctrines, while deism accepts the existence of God but holds that this deity does not intervene in the universe. For individuals holding these belief systems, particularly in cultures where the majority of people adopt religiously-based lifestyles, family relationships and parenting dynamics may bring various challenges and adaptation processes. Atheist and deist individuals, while questioning the impact of religious teachings or the religious approaches of their parents during childhood, may experience conflicts or estrangement in family relationships. Understanding the impact of atheism and deism on family relationships can contribute to a deeper understanding of the transformation of an individuals religious belief systems and the experiences they undergo in the process. This study aims to explore in-depth the relationships between atheism, deism, parenting, and parental beliefs. The research focuses on individuals who identify as atheists or deists and examines how these belief systems affect family dynamics and the belief development processes of individuals. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with 12 participants who identify as atheist or deist. The analysis of the data resulted in four themes: The Impact of Religious Education in the Family on Becoming AtheistDeist, Relationship with Father Before Becoming an AtheistDeist, The Process of Families Discovering Their Children Are AtheistDeist, The Impact of Being AtheistDeist on Family and Social Relationships. The findings of the research suggest that religious education within the family and parental belief systems may have a triggering effect in the process of becoming atheist or deist. The family stands out as the primary institution where individuals experience their first social interactions and learn about religion and values. In this context, parents serve as the initial role models that influence their childrens religious views and levels of religiosity. Specifically, the attitudes parents exhibit towards their children and the religious practices within the household have a significant impact on shaping individuals beliefs. On the other hand, participants noted that inconsistencies in the religious discourses they were taught by their parents, as well as their parents behaviors contradicting religious principles, negatively affected their beliefs. This was found to influence their shift toward atheism or deism, often leading to an unsatisfactory religious quest. The study also revealed that the relationship with the father had a significant effect on childrens religious perceptions and their attachment to belief systems. A lack of communication, a distant and negative relationship, and neglect were identified as important factors leading children toward disbelief. Furthermore, it was observed that the reactions of families when discovering that their children were atheist or deist were often characterized by shock and disappointment, with some instances involving more aggressive responses such as pressure and exclusion. These types of reactions were found to negatively affect the childrens psychosocial well-being and various aspects of their lives, including work, education, and family formation. The findings of the study emphasize that parental attitudes and religious education play critical roles in shaping individuals belief systems. Based on these results, it is recommended that parents adopt more conscious, inclusive, and understanding approaches to support their childrens belief development.

 Atheism and deism represent two approaches that step outside traditional religious belief systems, where an individual either rejects the concept of God or considers it from a different perspective. Atheism is a view that denies the existence of God, thereby rejecting religious doctrines, while deism accepts the existence of God but holds that this deity does not intervene in the universe. For individuals holding these belief systems, particularly in cultures where the majority of people adopt religiously-based lifestyles, family relationships and parenting dynamics may bring various challenges and adaptation processes. Atheist and deist individuals, while questioning the impact of religious teachings or the religious approaches of their parents during childhood, may experience conflicts or estrangement in family relationships. Understanding the impact of atheism and deism on family relationships can contribute to a deeper understanding of the transformation of an individuals religious belief systems and the experiences they undergo in the process. This study aims to explore in-depth the relationships between atheism, deism, parenting, and parental beliefs. The research focuses on individuals who identify as atheists or deists and examines how these belief systems affect family dynamics and the belief development processes of individuals. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with 12 participants who identify as atheist or deist. The analysis of the data resulted in four themes: The Impact of Religious Education in the Family on Becoming AtheistDeist, Relationship with Father Before Becoming an AtheistDeist, The Process of Families Discovering Their Children Are AtheistDeist, The Impact of Being AtheistDeist on Family and Social Relationships. The findings of the research suggest that religious education within the family and parental belief systems may have a triggering effect in the process of becoming atheist or deist. The family stands out as the primary institution where individuals experience their first social interactions and learn about religion and values. In this context, parents serve as the initial role models that influence their childrens religious views and levels of religiosity. Specifically, the attitudes parents exhibit towards their children and the religious practices within the household have a significant impact on shaping individuals beliefs. On the other hand, participants noted that inconsistencies in the religious discourses they were taught by their parents, as well as their parents behaviors contradicting religious principles, negatively affected their beliefs. This was found to influence their shift toward atheism or deism, often leading to an unsatisfactory religious quest. The study also revealed that the relationship with the father had a significant effect on childrens religious perceptions and their attachment to belief systems. A lack of communication, a distant and negative relationship, and neglect were identified as important factors leading children toward disbelief. Furthermore, it was observed that the reactions of families when discovering that their children were atheist or deist were often characterized by shock and disappointment, with some instances involving more aggressive responses such as pressure and exclusion. These types of reactions were found to negatively affect the childrens psychosocial well-being and various aspects of their lives, including work, education, and family formation. The findings of the study emphasize that parental attitudes and religious education play critical roles in shaping individuals belief systems. Based on these results, it is recommended that parents adopt more conscious, inclusive, and understanding approaches to support their childrens belief development.

 Ateizm ve deizm, farklı dinî inanç sistemlerinin dışına çıkan, bireyin Tanrı kavramına bakışını ya reddeden ya da farklı bir perspektifte değerlendiren iki yaklaşımı ifade eder. Ateizm, Tanrının varlığını kabul etmeyen, dolayısıyla dinî öğretileri reddeden bir görüş iken deizm, Tanrının varlığını kabul etmekle birlikte bu varlığın evrene müdahale etmediğine inanmadır. Bu inanç sistemlerine sahip bireylerin, özellikle toplumun büyük bir kısmının dinî inançlara dayalı yaşam tarzlarını benimsediği kültürlerde, aile içindeki ilişkileri ve ebeveynlik dinamikleri çeşitli zorluklar ve uyum süreçlerini beraberinde getirebilir. Ateist ve deist bireyler, çocukluk dönemlerinde aile içinde veya dışında aldıkları dinî eğitimlerin veya ebeveynlerinin dinî yaklaşımlarının kendi inanç sistemleri üzerindeki etkilerini sorgularken, bu süreçte aile ilişkilerinde çatışmalar veya uzaklaşmalar yaşanabilmektedir. Ateizm ve deizmin bireylerin aile ilişkilerine etkisini anlamak, bu bireylerin dinî inanç biçimlerinin dönüşümünü ve bu süreçte yaşadıkları deneyimlerin derinlemesine anlaşılmasına katkı sağlayabilir. Bu bakımdan araştırma, ateizm ve deizm ile ebeveynlik ve ebeveyn inançları arasındaki ilişkileri derinlemesine incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Çalışma, kendisini ateist veya deist olarak tanımlayan bireylerin aile içindeki ilişkilerine odaklanarak, bu inanç sistemlerinin aile dinamiklerine ve bireylerin inanç gelişim süreçlerine etkilerini ele almaktadır. Araştırma kapsamında, ateist veya deist kimliğe sahip 12 katılımcıdan elde edilen veriler kullanılmış, bu veriler nitel yöntemle derinlemesine görüşmeler yoluyla toplanmıştır. Elde edilen verilerin analizi sonucunda; Ailede Verilen Din Eğitiminin AteistDeist Olmadaki Etkisi, AteistDeist Olmadan Önce Baba ile İlişki, Ailelerin Çocukların AteistDeist Olduğunu Öğrenme Süreci, AteistDeist Olmanın Aile ve Sosyal İlişkiler Üzerindeki Etkisi şeklinde 4 farklı tema ortaya çıkmıştır. Araştırma bulguları, aile içinde verilen dinî eğitimin ve ebeveynlerin inanç biçimlerinin, bireylerin ateist ya da deist olma sürecinde tetikleyici bir etkisi olabileceğini göstermektedir. Aile, bireylerin ilk sosyal etkileşimlerini yaşadıkları, dini ve değerleri öğrendikleri temel kurum olarak öne çıkar; bu bağlamda araştırmada ebeveynler, çocukların dinî yaklaşımlarını ve dindarlık seviyelerini etkileyen ilk rol modelleri olmaktadır. Özellikle ebeveynlerin çocuklarına karşı sergiledikleri tutumlar ve evdeki dinî pratikler, bireylerin kendi inançlarını şekillendirmesinde önemli bir etkiye sahip olmaktadır. Öte yandan, katılımcılar ailelerinden öğrendikleri dinî söylemlerdeki tutarsızlıkların ve ebeveynlerin dine aykırı davranışlarının inançlarını olumsuz etkilediğini belirtmişlerdir. Bu durumun, onların ateizm veya deizme yönelmelerinde etkili olduğu ve dinî arayış süreçlerini tatminsizlikle sonuçlandırdığı ortaya çıkmıştır. Çalışma, baba ile olan ilişkinin çocukların dinî algıları ve inanç sistemlerine bağlılıkları üzerinde önemli bir etki yarattığını da ortaya koymuştur. Babanın iletişim eksikliği, mesafeli ve olumsuz ilişkisi, ihmal etme durumu çocuğun inançsızlığa yöneliminde önemli bir faktör olduğu anlaşılmıştır. Bunun yanı sıra, ailelerin çocuklarının ateist veya deist olduğunu öğrenmeleri karşısında gösterdikleri tepkilerin genellikle şaşkınlık ve hayal kırıklığıyla, bazı durumlarda ise baskı ve dışlama gibi daha agresif tutumlarla ifade edildiği görülmüştür. Bu tür tepkilerin, çocukların psikososyal durumunu ve iş, eğitim hayatı ve aile kurma gibi yaşamın çeşitli yönlerini olumsuz yönde etkileyebildiği belirlenmiştir. Araştırmanın bulguları, ebeveyn tutumlarının ve verilen dinî eğitimin bireylerin inanç sistemleri üzerinde kritik roller oynadığını göstermektedir. Bu sonuçlar doğrultusunda, ebeveynlerin çocukların inanç gelişimini destekleyecek daha bilinçli, kapsayıcı ve anlayışlı yaklaşımlar benimsemeleri önerilmektedir.

Article Details

A Qualitative Study on the Relationship Between Atheism, Deism, and Parenting

Authors:

Ömer Faruk Bozdoğan | Musa Gürel | İlker Aktürk | Ömer Miraç Yaman

Publisher:

Eskişehir Osmangazi University

Main Topics:

Din Eğitimi | Din Sosyolojisi

Journal:

Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.12 Issue 1, pp.141-162

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001341595

pISSN:

2147-8171

Religious Education

Belief

Atheism

Deism

Parenthood

Parental AttitudeDin Eğitimi

İnanç

Ateizm

Deizm

Ebeveynlik

Ebeveyn Tutumu

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Ömer Faruk Bozdoğan | Musa Gürel | İlker Aktürk | Ömer Miraç Yaman

Publisher: Eskişehir Osmangazi University

Main Topics: Din Eğitimi | Din Sosyolojisi

Journal: Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.12 Issue 1, pp.141-162

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 3/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001341595

pISSN: 2147-8171

Issues

Authors:

Ömer Faruk Bozdoğan | Musa Gürel | İlker Aktürk | Ömer Miraç Yaman

Publisher:

Eskişehir Osmangazi University

Main Topics:

Din Eğitimi | Din Sosyolojisi

Journal:

Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.12 Issue 1, pp.141-162

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001341595

pISSN:

2147-8171