Analysis of belief in God high school ninth grade students (Afyonkarahisar sample)

This research aims to examine the reflection of belief in God, which is one of the fundamental parameters of human life, on individuals' personal lives, to identify the factors influencing this belief, and to assess the impact of belief in God, which constitutes one of the main subjects of the discipline of Kalam, on the lives of 9th grade students. It is also intended to provide a scholarly contribution to the discipline of Kalam. This study originates from the fundamental human need "to believe in a supreme being", a core element found in all religions. Indeed, the feeling of faith is inherently present in human nature. In Islam, belief in God constitutes the first and foremost tenet of faith; without belief in the existence and oneness of God, the other tenets of faith cannot be realized. While the remaining tenets of faith are related to belief in Allah, belief in Allah itself is directly connected to the individual's initial and personal choice. It is the first and indispensable condition for a believer to attain the status of a 'mu'min' (true believer). While human beings have an innate inclination to believe in God, this belief becomes more defined with the onset of adolescence, as individuals reach intellectual maturity, at which point it also becomes a religious obligation (fard). The reason our study focuses on young individuals is that this developmental stage and attainment of intellectual capacity coincide with the period in which decisions related to faith begin to solidify. In this context, the sample of the study consists of 9th grade students attending 14 high schools located in the city center of Afyonkarahisar. The study utilized the survey method, one of the quantitative research techniques. The survey was chosen as the data collection tool. The data obtained from this survey are significant because they help reveal the belief structure of the society and contribute to maintaining the relevance of the discipline of Kalam. Adolescence, a period characterized by diverse forms of religious belief, is a critical stage for the group we aim to study. The religious questioning that occurs during this phase is closely related to the cognitive development of individuals in this age group, making it particularly influential in shaping both the beliefs of these individuals and the broader society. The contributions that the findings of this research can offer toward resolving existing faith-related issues will provide the justification for the necessity of such a study. Keywords: Religion, Belief in God, Faith, Action, Afyonkarahisar