Development of Religious Identity Through Doubts Among Religious Adolescents in Israel: An Empirical Perspective and Educational Ramifications

Abstract

Researchers have been demonstrating interest in doubts regarding religious faith for thirty years. The current study goal was examining differences between three groups of religious male adolescents in Israel, regarding faith identity, doubts in religious faith (past and present), religious behavior, and the connection between them. Three questionnaires were answered by 472 religious Israeli male 9th, 10th, and 11th graders, regarding faith identity, religious behavior, and faith doubts. A MANOVA indicated significant differences between the groups for all research variables. Separate regression analyses for each age group for predicting faith identity according to doubts, produced very different pictures. Tenth grade seems the most important crossroads in forming religious identity.

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Shraga Fisherman

Shraga Fisherman, Ph.D., is at Shaanan College and is Editor of Educational Counselor Journal Israel. E-mail: [email protected]