Abstract:

In this study; as a thinker who witnessed the last periods of the Ottoman Empire and the first years of the Republic, Ziya Gökalp’s understanding of religion and his views on religious upbringing hane been discussed. Gokalp's thoughts on religion and religious upbringing had a great impact on the founding will of the Republic. Gokalp, who experienced dramatic transitions in thought, also influenced the society with his views on sociology, politics and education. Although he saw religion as the main element to unit society with his Ottomanist thought, Gokalp defended the secular understanding in his second period and revealed these thoughts with his poems and writings. Expressing that religious education should be given from childhood, Gokalp points out the importance of giving history, culture, religious principles and science together in this process.