Evsizlikte Din ve Maneviyatı Konumlandırmak: Sokak Yaşamında Dini ve Manevi Kaynakların Kullanımı
Positioning Religion and Spirituality in Homelessness: The Use of Religious and Spiritual Resources in Street Life

Summary/Abstract: Homelessness, the inevitable deprivation of basic needs such as housing, security, health and social integration is an extremely complex and multidimensional problem. In the face of this problem, religion and spirituality are seen as a strong source of support for homeless individuals. This study basically tried to understand the visibility of religion and spirituality in the street environment from the perspective of homeless individuals. Data were taken from 14 homeless individuals who experienced street life through indepth interviews and 5 volunteers who had experience in providing assistance to the homeless. The data collected from the participants were classified under 3 themes: religion and worship practice of homeless individuals, religion and spirituality as a coping tool, and the role of mosques on the street. Accordingly, the study determined that the thoughts and practices of homeless individuals related to religious belief are negatively affected by the physical inadequacies of the street compared to the period before the street. The data suggest that religion and spirituality serve as essential resources in combating homelessness, while mosques function as natural hubs for street work. However, the services provided for homeless individuals take an important place in mosques where the religious and spiritual atmosphere is intensely felt. The data obtained indicate that religion and spirituality are considered to be an important resource in the fight against homelessness, and mosques are considered to be a natural center of street work. Therefore, it turns out that religion and spirituality should be used as an important resource in street work, and mosques should be positioned and supported effectively in street work.

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