Exploring the Meaning of Religious Identity and Political Engagement: A Phenomenological Exploration of Personal Narratives

Abstract

The relationship between religion and politics has been a central topic of study in the social sciences, with a growing interest in how religious identity shapes political ideologies. While existing research has largely focused on institutional dynamics and political ideologies, the gap in understanding the specific, personal, and subjective experiences of individuals navigating the intersection of religious and political identities remains underexplored in the literature.  This study seeks to address this gap by exploring how individuals' religious beliefs influence their political views and engagement. Using an interpretative phenomenological approach, we examine the lived experiences of individuals to uncover the meaning they ascribe to their religious and political identities. Through in-depth interviews with 15 participants, we identified key themes related to the influence of religious identity on political participation and decision-making, as well as the personal conflicts arising from discrepancies between religious and political ideologies. Our findings suggest that religious beliefs profoundly shape individuals' political perspectives, often guiding their political actions and decisions. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the personal dimensions of political engagement, challenging the prevailing focus on macro-level analyses. The study’s findings have important implications for future research, particularly in understanding the role of religion in personal political engagement and the potential for further exploration of this intersection across different cultural and religious contexts.