The relationship between religious programs broadcast on television and university students' religious attitudes and behaviors: A sample in Adana

The concept of religion is an old-important concept that has been studied by social scientists with many different perspectives since the beginning of social sciences, and religion is one of the most fundamental social institutions. The phenomenon of religion is considered to be constructed on three bases; faith, worship and morality. Very different elements in relation these three bases can be effective. Beside family, religion education schools, institutions, relatives, and friends groups, religious programs broadcast on television channels in recent years have played an undeniable role in religious attitudes and behaviors. The increase in the number of such programs in our country in recent years reveals the fact that people prefer watching religious programs. The basis of our study is to identify whether, or to what extent, television has effects on religion. As to the limitation of topic, more healthy and functional information has been obtained in our study by investigating the effect of religious programs broadcast on television channels on young university students. For this purpose, 440 student questionnaires were administered to the students who were enrolled in the undergraduate faculties at Çukurova University Balcalı Campus. Results of the study show that there is a statistically significant relationship between the state and frequency of watching religious programs and the religious attitudes and behaviors of university students. Findings indicate that religious programs broadcast on television change the religious attitudes and behaviors of university students and increase their religious knowledge. Key words: Religion, student, television, communication, attitude, behavior.