Methodology of Social Sciences
Aboutorab Talebi; Amirhasan Rezagholigol
Abstract
The aim of this article is to understand the relationship between sacred space and religious experience, and to explore the constructive connection between the two by examining how religious experiences are shaped in four key religious fields in the city of Qom. The research question asks: ...
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The aim of this article is to understand the relationship between sacred space and religious experience, and to explore the constructive connection between the two by examining how religious experiences are shaped in four key religious fields in the city of Qom. The research question asks: What differences exist in the patterns of religious experience among participants in Qom's sacred spaces? How do individuals’ religious experiences differ in each of these fields? This article also investigates the mechanisms that generate specific religious experiences in these spaces, providing a contextual understanding of the issue. In this qualitative study, data were collected through 20semi-structured interviews and observations, and were analyzed and reported using thematic analysis. The results show that the religious experiences of participants are influenced by the uniqueness of sacred structures and spaces and are not uniformly shaped by religious space as a single religious environment. Moreover, these experiences are not solely derived from religious traditions and teachings. Instead, individuals form a significant part of their sacred understanding intersubjectively, shaped differently within sacred spaces that are part of the social fabric and everyday life. Therefore, there is no single, uniform template for religious experience across all sacred spaces. In each sacred space, unique interactions occur, leading to diverse and specific forms of religious experienceKeywords: Religious Experience, Sacred Space, Sacred Order, Social Structure of Religion, Sociology of Religion.IntroductionThe city of Qom is one of the main religious centers in Iran, housing numerous religious spaces and places. Each of these sites has its own specific forms of rituals, ceremonies, and sacred times. In this research, four of Qom's primary religious fields have been selected, and an effort is made to examine the relationship between individuals' religious experiences and each of these sacred fields, as well as the influence they have on one another. The study aims to show how the Objective and subjective manifestations within a sacred space shape individuals' perception and understanding of the sacred, and conversely, how their actions, values, goals, and insights contribute to the construction of the sacred space.Literature ReviewA review of previous studies reveals that the dimension of experience is a key aspect of religiosity. Moreover, paying attention to the concept of sacred place and space is a crucial point, where religious experience plays a significant role in this relationship. Regarding research on the city of Qom, we found that most studies assume a uniform and homogeneous form of religiosity, and no research has been conducted on the relationship between religious experience and the various sacred spaces in this city. The review of the literature highlights the need for a qualitative study, considering the diversity of religious experiences, with a focus on Qom's religious spaces.MethodologyIn this qualitative study, four main religious fields in the city of Qom were examined. Semi-structured interviews and observation were used as research tools. The interviewees consisted of twenty individuals over the age of twenty who had a deep and unique connection with each of these sites and, according to their own accounts, had specific religious experiences. The data collected through observation and interviews were then analyzed using thematic analysis. Thematic patterns were identified within the large volume of extracted data. Through summarizing extensive data and providing a detailed description of the gathered information, the relationship between religious experience and sacred spaces was demonstrated.DiscussionThe research findings reveal a diversity of religious experiences corresponding to the various sacred spaces in Qom. In the selected sites for this study, different forms of relationships exist between actors and sacred structures. For example, in the Shrine, a form of sanctity is observed that is closely tied to religious texts and Formal religiosity. In the Jamkaran Mosque, stories, actions, and myths with a religious theme have transformed into popular forms of practice, primarily embraced by non-clerical individuals and ordinary people. The general public, who often lack a deep understanding of religion, interpret and practice their faith according to their own preferences, needs, and understanding.In other locations, due to the interaction of various elements and the multifunctional nature of these spaces, the distinction between sacred and non-sacred is not as clearly visible. These spaces, while maintaining their sacred identity, also accommodate non-sacred elements.ConclusionIt appears that religious experience and sacred space have a reciprocal and highly impactful relationship with one another. On one hand, sacred spaces deepen individuals' spiritual experiences and enhance their faith. On the other hand, what transforms a religious site into a sacred space is the agency and actions of the individuals who, with their faith, emotions, beliefs, and perceptions, imbue a religious site with sanctity and create a divine atmosphere.In this study, by focusing on the four recognized sacred sites, we paid attention to the diversity of spaces and experiences. We found that each site has its own rules, rituals, elements, and actions. Some of these aspects result from the interaction and mutual influence between individuals, manifesting as external expressions of personal beliefs and interpretations. Others are shaped by obligatory structures and rules derived from religious tradition, within which individuals form their sacred understanding.Therefore, it can be said that there is not a single, uniform template for religious experience across all sacred spaces. In each sacred space, dynamic and unique interactions occur, leading to various and distinct forms of religious experience. From the perspective of religious experience, the sanctity of a space can be entirely personal and unique, meaning that one space may hold a particular form and level of sacredness for an individual or group, while other spaces may carry the same significance for others.
Methodology of Social Sciences
Zohreh Mahdavifar; Bagher Saroukhani; Amirmasoud Amirmazaheri
Abstract
This research was conducted with the aim of identifying the components of football commercialization in Iran using a mixed exploratory method (thematic analysis and Delphi). The panel members, selected based on the purposeful sampling method, are 42 people. As the findings revealed, eight themes were ...
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This research was conducted with the aim of identifying the components of football commercialization in Iran using a mixed exploratory method (thematic analysis and Delphi). The panel members, selected based on the purposeful sampling method, are 42 people. As the findings revealed, eight themes were identified as the final themes, including 1. Prevalence of buying, selling, and pricing the football players; 2. Materialization of most activities in society; 3. Providing financial resources for the activities related to football; 4. Individual motivations of football players; 5. Profit-seeking motives of dealers; 6. Media and virtual space; 7. Dimension of football business and trading, and 8. Consequences of football commercialization. Then, these themes were judged by the experts and specialists in two rounds (Delphi), and the results showed that 12 components for the factor of football commercialization; 14 components for the factor of the motivation of sports clubs and institutions in football commercialization; 12 components for the factor of the motivation of football players in commercialization of football; 11 components for the factor of the motivation of media institutions and companies in the process of football commercialization; 17 components for the factor of football commercialization results, were agreed upon by the experts and specialists. The findings showed that most of the activities related to football are done only for the sake of earning money and for its economic aspect, and football commercialization is affected by economic and financial factors.
