Each new generation embodies the spirit of the age it is bor n into, seeing
the world from a perspective distinct from its predecessors. This distinction
is reflected across all areas of social life, including how individuals connect
with religion and spirituality, the deepest expressions of their search for
meaning, and how they engage in learning about them. This book is the product
of an effort to understand the relationship between generations, the most
talked-about yet perhaps least understood actors of our time, and religious
education. As an educator in the field of Religious Education at the Faculty
of Theology, I have personally observed in recent years that young students
respond differently to traditional methods and authorities, and that their approaches
to knowledge and the world of values diverge from those of previous
generations. The curiosity about how this divergence is perceived by both
students and academics, the two main pillars of higher religious education,
and how it is reflected in the educational environment is the primary factor
behind the emergence of this study.
The research and writing process was both an instructive and challenging
journey for me. At the outset of the study, it required delving deeply into the
literature of generational theories, educational sciences, and the sociology
of religion. Studying at the intersection of different disciplines occasionally
made it difficult to construct a theoretical framework. Nevertheless, bringing
together theoretical approaches from various fields enriched my perspective
and contributed to a better understanding of the world of Generation Z. The
fieldwork phase of the study was also filled with unforgettable experiences. My
interviews with young students and experienced academics provided insights
of a depth that neither statistics nor books alone could offer. During these
interviews, I paid particular attention to creating a suitable environment for
some participants to express themselves freely, establishing trust, and being an
unbiased listener. At times, I felt hesitant when asking questions that touched
on sensitive issues between generations; nevertheless, we were able to engage
in genuine conversations while preserving academic objectivity. Setting aside
my own value judgments and listening to the voices of the participants became
the most important principle of this study while analyzing the data.
The resulting study primarily establishes a theoretical foundation within
the framework of generational theories and classifications, Generation
Z’s perception of religion, their perspectives on religious knowledge, their
critical thinking and learning dynamics, and their implications for religious
education. The backbone of the study consists of the findings of a qualitative
research conducted with students and academics at Selçuk University Faculty
X
of Theology. These findings reveal the diverse and dynamic nature of Generation
Z’s relationship with religion. While some young people are in search of
a conscious religiosity rooted in traditional values, others show tendencies
toward secularization, interpreting religion in a more individualistic and
pragmatic framework. One of the most crucial discussion areas of the book is
how digitalization, in particular, has transformed this generation’s access to
religious knowledge, their perception of authority, and their spiritual pursuits.
Furthermore, the changes in Generation Z’s learning styles, together with the
views of students and academics on the transmission of religious content and
the challenges faced in the educational process offer significant arguments
for the need to restructure higher religious education. These analyses are of
particular interest not only to Generation Z, but also to educators, families, and
religious officials who are responsible for communicating with and guiding them.
Every generation asks its own questions and seeks its own answers. It is
my hope that this book serves as a humble invitation to reconsider the language
and methods of religious education in a way that resonates with the spirit of
today’s youth so that we may better listen to the questions of Generation Z
and build a meaningful ground for dialogue with them.