Sociological Cultural Studies

Sociological Cultural Studies

The relevance of religion and government in Iran (Strategic analysis of the category of separation between religion and politics in the religiosity chapter of the fourth wave of Iranian values ​​and attitudes)

Document Type : .

Author
Mohammad Javad Khazrai
Ph.D. in Anthropology, Tehran University,Tehran, Iran
10.30465/scs.2024.49358.2874
Abstract
Abstract
Assessing the will of Iranians regarding the relationship between religion and government in Iran is one of the topics that in the fourth wave of surveying the values ​​and attitudes of Iranians has a great difference from the previous waves. Examining the results of the religiosity chapter of the recent survey of values ​​and attitudes shows that the people of Iran have unexpectedly demanded the separation of religion from politics. This general perception of the result of this survey is not consistent with the historical conditions and tradition of several thousand years of Iran, because in the history of Iran, religion has always been connected with Iranian identity and has been mixed with politics. Also, the field evidence for this conclusion has not been clearly evaluated in the survey, and it is not clear how such a break in the society was formed in a short period of time. Therefore, in this article, based on the secondary analysis method, this result will be re-evaluated. This evaluation will be done first by measuring the validity of the desired item. Finally based on these analytical levels, a macro summary will be presented in this field.
Keywords: Iran, religion, politics, secular government, tradition

Introduction
One of the most credible and widely used models for measuring religiosity is the multidimensional model proposed by Glock and Stark (1965). This model identifies five key dimensions of religiosity: Ideological, Ritualistic, Experiential, Intellectual, and Consequential. It seeks to analyze religiosity as a multifaceted phenomenon, illustrating how each dimension, either individually or in combination, reflects the level and type of an individual's religiosity.
One of the most credible and widely used models for measuring religiosity is the multidimensional model proposed by Glock and Stark (1965). This model identifies five key dimensions of religiosity: Ideological, Ritualistic, Experiential, Intellectual, and Consequential. It seeks to analyze religiosity as a multifaceted phenomenon, illustrating how each dimension, either individually or in combination, reflects the level and type of an individual's religiosity.
To date, four waves of religiosity surveys have been conducted in Iran. Each wave has assessed and evaluated various dimensions of religiosity. In the latest wave, the index measuring the relationship between religion and government shows significant changes that are not aligned with the trends observed in previous waves. This deviation raises questions about the validity of this index. Using secondary analysis methods, this study seeks to reassess the validity of this index from different perspectives. While definitive conclusions may not be achievable due to limited information, reanalyzing previous data offers an opportunity for a deeper understanding.

Methodology
This article employs secondary analysis as its primary method. Secondary analysis involves using existing data collected by other researchers in previous studies to address new research questions or examine different aspects of an issue. Instead of gathering new data, this method allows researchers to reanalyze existing data to draw new conclusions. According to Harold Hyman, secondary analysis involves "the use of data collected by other researchers or research institutions for purposes that may differ from the original intent of the data collection" (Hyman, 1972: 3). This method avoids conducting new surveys, focusing instead on reanalyzing existing ones with a different objective.

Discussion and Conclusion
Based on an examination of the three most recent surveys and their trends, it can be concluded that religion remains a significant and central issue in Iranian society. Contrary to popular belief, religious beliefs and practices still hold relatively strong ground, showing minimal changes over recent years. However, in contrast, the belief in governmental involvement in politics has sharply declined.
Possible Explanations
Three possible explanations for these findings are examined:
Decline in Religiosity:
This hypothesis suggests that religiosity in society has decreased. However, given the mismatch between the rate of change in religiosity and the rate of change in the desire to separate religion from politics, this possibility is definitively rejected.
Increased Desire for Separation of Religion and Politics:
This hypothesis posits a growing public demand for separating religion from politics. While it cannot be dismissed outright, it also lacks strong evidence. Social change typically follows a continuous trajectory, and a significant leap would require a substantial cause, which is neither addressed nor indicated in these surveys. Additionally, this explanation does not align with Iran’s historical tradition, which has deeply interwoven religion and politics from ancient times to the present.
Shifts in the Relationship Between Religion and Government:
The third hypothesis relates to changes in the dynamics between religion and government. It suggests that the opposition reflected in the survey results is not against the intrinsic historical connection between religion and politics but rather against the reduction of religion to mere rituals and politics to an executive apparatus. Such changes promote the independence and separation of the two domains while rejecting
mutual intervention. This perspective, however, is also challenging to confirm or dismiss without further research.

Conclusion
In summary, the existing data does not provide definitive answers, and additional surveys and long-term trend analyses are necessary for more conclusive results. Further research is required to explore these issues in greater depth.
Keywords
Iran
religion
politics
secular government
tradition
Subjects
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Sociological Cultural Studies
Volume 16, Issue 4 - Serial Number 58
Winter 2026
Winter 2026
Pages 33-58

  • Receive Date 17 July 2024
  • Revise Date 25 November 2024
  • Accept Date 26 November 2024
  • Publish Date 20 February 2026