Abstract
Official statistical data and various research studies indicate that a significant portion of the Macedonian population identifies as religious. However, these studies also reveal that many of these individuals are nominal believers, adhering to traditional practices without deep engagement. This trend has sparked an interest in exploring the religiosity of the younger generation, which, though often superficial, has gained prominence in recent years. Existing research, albeit limited, has examined young people's religiosity, their perceptions of religion, and the influence of religious values on their daily lives and practices. To gain a comprehensive understanding of young people's attitudes towards religion in Macedonian society, it is crucial to also consider the perspectives of religious community leaders on youth involvement in religious communities.
This paper is structured in two parts to provide a clear picture of young people's religious orientation and their relationship with religious communities. The first part reviews existing research on youth perceptions of religion and their attitudes towards religious communities, supplemented by comparative analyses of secondary data from population censuses and international organization studies. The second part presents the views and perceptions of leaders from major religious communities in Macedonia regarding the religious engagement of young people. It also addresses their perspectives on initiatives for religious education and the inclusion of ethics in religions in the educational curriculum. This is achieved through thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with religious community representatives. The combined data and findings offer a comprehensive overview of young people's involvement in the religious life of Macedonian society.
Recommended Citation
Cacanoska, Ruzica and Blazevski, Ivan PhD
(2024)
"Youth Engagement in Religious Practices within Macedonian Society,"
Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe: Vol. 44
:
Iss.
6
, Article 7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55221/2693-2229.2537
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/ree/vol44/iss6/7