THE INFLUENCE OF THE FAMILY ON RELIGIOUS IDENTITY BUILDING AMONG THE YOUTH

Abstract

In this text wc will try to answer the question which factor influence the building of religious identity. It is a known fact that argumentation and proof isn't necessary lor true t11ith, but what is crucial to someone becoming religioLls? Is it t1111lily or tTadition, school or the means oCmass cOlllmunication? Who influences rd igious ident ity bui Idi ng') r Iow is rei igious identity formed? Is rei igiosity something inherited by trndition or gained with experience. The term religious identity, like any other identity, contains an association to something, as well as disassociation to so!nething else. Religious identity is a specific form of identity concerning religion and the religious. It i s characteri zed with a belonging to a certain group, which finds its contents in religion. One of the main Factors inl'luencing religious identity building and its maintemllice is the process of socialization, while family stays a primary factor and source of religious beliefs and values. Parents who are members of a religious community raise their kids to become members of said cOlTlmunity. This is why many soc iologists agree that among the many sources ofsocialization, family is onc ot' the IllOst important, bccause it aft-eels people at their youngest, where family has almost exc lusive control on these most important years of human development.