Socio-Demographic Analysis of Religious Attitude in Iran

The present study primarily aims to examine and identify the major patterns and determinants associated with religious attitude from a socio-demographic perspective. Theoretically, it is based on religious socialization theory, modernism and fundamental changes in social values theories that explain socio-cultural changes of the contemporary societies including the changes in religious attitude. The results of this article is based on a survey conducted in rural and urban areas of Ahvaz, Babolsar, Bojnord, Esfarayen, Gonbad-e-Kavos, Hamadan, Kamyaran, Khoramabad, Mahmoudabad, and Saghez. The survey includes 4267 males and females aged 15 years old and over. According to the preliminary results of this analysis, a sizeable proportion of people hold a relatively high level of religiosity. However, more detailed analyses indicate that religious attitude is significantly affected by a wide range of determinants. It includes such demographic determinants as age, gender, urban-rural areas of residence, marital status, education as well as attitudes towards gender roles. In sum, the key results of this analysis tend to sit well with the theory of modernization and changing values, suggesting that religious attitude is substantially associated with modern and liberal perspectives: the stronger the latter, the weaker the former.