Psychological examination of religious orientations of Imam Hatip High School student

The majority of our country consists of individuals with a Muslim (theist) understanding. However, in recent years, there have been various news reports in print and visual media that different belief tendencies such as atheism, deism and agnosticism have become widespread among young people. This situation has brought to the agenda the allegations that such tendencies are increasing among the youth of Imam Hatip High Schools, where religious education is intensively provided. The aim of this study is to determine the atheism, deism, agnosticism, theism and gnosticism tendencies of the students studying in Imam Hatip High Schools and to examine the claims that such trends are increasing in Imam Hatip High Schools through the example of Çorum province. The study aimed to evaluate the religious and philosophical tendencies of the students on the basis of gender, age and school type (Anatolian Imam Hatip High School and Project Imam Hatip High School). Qualitative research methods were used in this study. In the data collection process, structured interview technique was applied. This method was preferred in order to analyse the religious and philosophical tendencies of the students in depth and to obtain qualified data based on their own statements. The participants were selected in accordance with the purpose of the study and the data were collected and analysed systematically. When the data obtained were evaluated, it was determined that atheism, deism, agnosticism and gnosticism orientations were not clearly observed among the students. It has been revealed that the majority of the participants have a theistic understanding, but in the context of the transfer of this belief to practice, especially in worship and prayer, there are deficiencies in the statements of the participants. In addition, it was determined that the students had knowledge about atheism, deism, agnosticism and gnosticism, but they were not orientated towards these movements. It was concluded that there was no significant difference between Project Imam Hatip High Schools and other types of Imam Hatip High Schools in terms of the perspective on these trends. These findings indicate that the claims about the spread of different religious tendencies in Imam Hatip High Schools do not carry a generally valid reality, but that students have some deficiencies in religious practice. Keywords: Psychology of Religion, Atheism, Deism, Agnosticism, Theism