Tension and communication between popular and normative religiosity (The case of Malatya)

Survey model was used in this study in which we analysed the tension and communication between popular and normative religiosity. It was implemented survey to the groups selected by random sampling and purposeful sampling in the Malatya universe. Two-dimensional scale including general popular belief and its practises and regional popular belief and its practises was developed. Data obtained from surveys were evaluated via statistical process, findings received were interpreted and compared. Our study includes three sections. In the introduction, the subject of the study, the objectives, importance of the study, problem, subproblems, hypothesis, and limitedness were given. In the first section, religiosity constituting the conceptual frame of the study, religious and cultural differentiation, differences and common grounds between popular and normative religiosity were explained. In the second section, the methodology of the study was introduced and findings obtained, statistics and conclusions took place in the third section. Consequently, it was identified that two different groups representing the popular religiousness and representing normative religiosity. In addition, it was identified that normative religiosity differ in themselves. It is observed that the tendency of popular religiosity of people is considerably higher than tendencies of popular religiousness of normative religious. Key Words: Popular Religiosity, Normative Religiosity, Socio-religious tension, Religious differentiation