Abstract:

According to the literature, religion is the most important factor in achieving the meaning of life. The main purpose of this research is to examine emprically the relationship between religion and the meaning of life on individuals in young adulthood period. For this purpose, the research data were collected from 328 undergraduate students, ongoing to Suleyman Demirel University, by use of The Meaning of Life Questionnaire Survey, Religious Consciousness Scale and personal information form. The collected data were analyzed by means of the Multiple Regression Analysis, Pearson's Correlation Analysis and t-test analysis. The analysis results showed that the current level of religious consciousness (religious awareness, religious values and religious behaviors) contributes to explain the present meaning of life, and the received religious education contributes to reach the meaning of life. Religious consciousness is the most important independent variable, which explains the meaning of life in young adults. Meaningfull and positive reletions were found between the scores of religious awareness, religious values, religious behavior and the scores of meaning of life. It is also understood that the faculty variable is influential in explaining the present meaning of life. The students of the Theology faculty feel the present meaning of life on a higher level compared to the students of the other faculties.  Analysis results also showed that, the level of religious consciousness is not effective in explaining the sought meaning of life. However, there is a negative and significant relationship between the level of religious awareness and the sought meaning of life. It is determined that as long as religious awareness increases, the need for searching a new meaning in life decreases. As a result, religion contributes to achieve the meaning of life and, religion directs individuals to live according to the normative religious knowledges.

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