Earthquake and God perception in secondary school students (The case of Gaziantep province)

Human beings occasionally forget their helplessness and vulnerability in the face of nature. Current tecnological developments, material power and capabilities constitute the fundamental energy of this forgetfulness. However, nature itself can remind with pain and sorrow. One of the most painful naturel disasters is earthquakes, which occur as a result of the rupture of underground fault lines. On the Earth's surface, they leave marks that can lead to significant destruction and loss of life. It is inevitable that events like these have a profound impact on individuals. Many material and spiritual issues are open to debate in mental processes. In addition to material destruction, psychological destruction is also inflicted. Individuals in the adolescence period, covering the early parts of life characterized by naivety, inexperience, and developmental aspects, are affected by these problems. Individuals aged 11-13, referred to as "middle school students" in this first stage of adolescence, are among those affected by the experienced processes. These children, who are trying to find a new identity, are influenced by the earthquakes they experience to the extent they see, feel, and experience. This process, considered as a phase of religious development, raises curiosity about how it will be shaped with such an experience. In our study based on this question, we will attempt to demonstrate how the earthquake shapes the perception of God in the mentioned children. In doing so, the nature of natural disasters, earthquake, perception, perception of God, psychological approaches to the subject, and the nature of religious development of the period in question will be mentioned. In the light of this theoretical information, interviews were made with students and their thoughts on earthquake and God perception were tried to be revealed. The students emphasised that God has absolute power and the ability to create everything. Accordingly, they stated that the earthquake was a warning or punishment sent by God to people. It is one of the remarkable results of the study that worship intensified in the post-earthquake period.