The trait that I decided to pick is Religiosity. Religiosity is difficult to define because it
can be interpreted in many ways that cover such a broad subject, religion. To easily dissect this
term, religiosity is broken down into five dimensions: experiential, ritualistic, ideological,
intellectual, and consequential (Holdcroft, B. B. 2006). These dimensions were identified by
Glock and Stark who believed that religion, specifically Christianity, is represented by this
typology (Clayton, R., & Gladden, J. 1974). More so to combine these elements into a simpler
definition,
“Bergan and McConatha (2000) defined religiosity as a number of dimensions associated with
religious beliefs and involvement. In arriving at this definition, they pointed out that early
research associated with religiosity focuses primarily on the unidimensional concept of religious
attendance” (Holdcroft, B. B. 2006).
So, religiosity can be observed as the religious orientation and involvement an individual
possess. Despite these definitions, religiosity also carries a negative connotation. Arguably,
religiosity has been described as an individual practicing religion in a dishonorable manner.
Meaning, this individual is exaggerating their religious beliefs in an extreme manner publicly,
“...religiosity is a term used by Christians and non-Christians alike to refer to religious activity in
the extreme. Religiosity is an inappropriate devotion to the rituals and traditions of a religion”
(GotQuestions.org, 2020).
Furthermore, religiosity can be associated with the term ‘religiousness’. For example, the
Founding Fathers religiousness differed from the traditional Christian thought in Britian. Their
religiosity allowed individuals to seek religious freedom in America without outside influence
contrary to Britian's State-Church relationship (Gingrich, n.d. pg. 25). Although religiosity is a
broad term and has many perspectives, its impact on the religious community is important as it is
constantly influencing individuals and communities.
I picked this term due to the impact religion has and continues to have in the world
whether it is good or bad. Although the other terms serve just as much importance to society,
religion is a topic that captivates me because of how much it influences everyday life.
Specifically, religiosity is interesting since it influences these elements that affect an individual's
behavior. I believe that the dimensions mentioned above accurately describe the motives behind
specific religions and actions made by such individuals, but I also believe that religiosity can
reflect the negative practices of religion such as extremism or Church-State corruption.
Regardless of these unfortunate events, religiosity or religion as a whole plays an
important role in society that will not and can never be removed. Religion has been around for
several hundred thousand years and religiosity has helped shape cultural beliefs and practices
over this time period which as a result, has affected and influenced the other terms
industriousness, egalitarianism and community life. For this reason, I picked religiosity.
Bibliography
Clayton, R., & Gladden, J. (1974). The Five Dimensions of Religiosity: Toward
Demythologizing a Sacred Artifact. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 13(2), 135-143.
doi:10.2307/1384375
Gingrich, N. (n.d.). A Nation Like No Other.
