How do we learn our identity? » Processes used by agencies - religious teachings and role modelling

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

How religious teachings shape our identity development
The concept of role modelling and its importance in identity formation
Different types of role models and their influence
How religious institutions transmit values and beliefs
Real-world examples of identity formation through religious teachings and role models

How Religious Teachings Shape Our Identity

Religion is one of the most powerful agencies that shapes who we are and how we see ourselves. Religious teachings provide frameworks for understanding our place in the world, our moral compass and even how we should behave in everyday situations.

Key Definitions:

Religious socialisation: The process by which religious values, beliefs and norms are passed on to individuals.
Sacred texts: Writings considered holy within a religion that guide believers' actions and identity.
Religious institutions: Organised bodies like churches, mosques, temples and synagogues that transmit religious teachings.

📖 Religious Texts and Identity

Sacred texts like the Bible, Quran, Torah and Vedas provide stories, rules and guidance that shape followers' identities. These texts often include:

Creation stories that explain human origins
Moral codes that define right and wrong
Rules for daily living (diet, dress, prayer)
Descriptions of ideal character traits

For example, the Bible's Ten Commandments provide clear moral boundaries for Christians, while dietary laws in Judaism (keeping kosher) create a distinct cultural identity.

🏨 Religious Institutions

Places of worship do more than just host religious services. They are social spaces where identity is formed through:

Regular rituals and ceremonies
Community gatherings and celebrations
Religious education classes
Youth groups and social activities

These institutions reinforce belonging to a specific religious community, creating a strong sense of "us" that becomes part of personal identity.

How Religious Teachings Are Transmitted

Religious teachings don't simply float in the air – they're actively passed down through several methods that help form our identities:

Methods of Religious Transmission

🗣 Formal Teaching

Religious education occurs through:

Sunday schools or madrasas
Sermons and lectures
Faith schools
Confirmation classes

These formal settings explicitly teach religious beliefs that become incorporated into identity.

🎉 Rituals and Practices

Regular participation in:

Prayer and worship
Religious festivals
Rites of passage
Fasting and other observances

These embodied practices create deep emotional connections and identity markers.

👥 Community Reinforcement

Identity is strengthened through:

Peer groups of same faith
Family religious practices
Social events with co-religionists
Shared symbols and language

This creates a sense of belonging that becomes central to identity.

Case Study Focus: Amish Communities

The Amish provide a striking example of how religious teachings shape identity. Their interpretation of Christianity leads them to:

Dress distinctively in plain clothing
Limit technology use to maintain community values
Speak their own dialect (Pennsylvania Dutch)
Practice "Rumspringa" - a period when teenagers experience the outside world before choosing to be baptised into the Amish church

Their religious teachings create a complete identity package that visibly sets them apart from mainstream society while creating strong internal bonds.

Role Modelling and Identity Formation

Role modelling is a powerful process where we learn by observing and imitating others. It's a key way we develop our identity, especially during childhood and adolescence.

Key Definitions:

Role model: A person whose behaviour, example, or success is or can be emulated by others.
Social learning theory: Albert Bandura's theory that people learn by observing others' behaviour and the consequences they experience.
Identification: The psychological process of seeing yourself in someone else and adopting their characteristics.

👤 Types of Role Models

Role models come in various forms, each influencing our identity in different ways:

Direct role models: Parents, teachers and other people we interact with regularly
Indirect role models: Celebrities, sports stars, historical figures we know through media
Religious role models: Religious leaders, saints, prophets, or exemplary members of a faith community
Peer role models: Friends and classmates who influence our behaviour and values

These different types of role models provide templates for how to behave, what to value and who to become.

🛠 How Role Modelling Works

According to social learning theory, role modelling involves:

Attention: Noticing what the role model does
Retention: Remembering the observed behaviour
Reproduction: Copying the behaviour
Motivation: Having a reason to adopt the behaviour

This process helps us develop our identity by incorporating aspects of role models we admire or want to be like.

Religious Role Models

Religious traditions are full of role models that believers are encouraged to emulate. These figures provide powerful templates for identity formation.

🙏 Founders and Prophets

Central religious figures serve as ultimate role models:

Jesus in Christianity
Muhammad in Islam
Buddha in Buddhism
Guru Nanak in Sikhism

Believers often ask "What would Jesus/Muhammad/Buddha do?" when making decisions.

🌟 Saints and Exemplars

Historical figures known for their virtue:

Catholic saints like Mother Teresa
Hindu gurus and swamis
Buddhist monks and nuns
Jewish sages and rabbis

Their life stories provide accessible examples of living according to religious values.

👪 Contemporary Leaders

Modern religious figures who model faith:

Local religious leaders
Global figures like the Pope or Dalai Lama
Religious parents and family members
Community elders and teachers

These provide immediate, visible examples of religious identity in action.

Case Study Focus: Muslim Role Models and Identity

For many young Muslims in the UK, finding positive role models who share their faith is crucial for identity development. Research shows that:

British Muslims often look to figures like Mo Farah, Nadiya Hussain and Sadiq Khan who demonstrate that being British and Muslim are compatible identities
Religious youth groups provide peer role models who navigate similar challenges
Social media has created new platforms for Muslim influencers who model modern religious identity
The Prophet Muhammad remains the central role model, with his life story (seerah) studied for guidance on everyday behaviour

These diverse role models help young Muslims develop an integrated identity that combines religious values with participation in British society.

The Changing Nature of Religious Identity

In today's diverse society, religious identity formation is becoming more complex and often involves more personal choice than in the past.

Modern Trends in Religious Identity

Hybrid identities: Many young people combine elements from different religious traditions or blend religious and secular influences
Digital religion: Online communities and resources are becoming important spaces for religious identity formation
Personal choice: Individuals increasingly "shop around" for religious teachings and role models that resonate with them
Multiple identities: Religious identity now often coexists with other important identities (national, ethnic, gender, etc.)

These trends mean that religious teachings and role models still shape identity, but often in more complex and individualised ways than in the past.

Summary: How Religious Teachings and Role Modelling Shape Identity

Religious teachings and role models work together to shape our identity in powerful ways:

Religious teachings provide frameworks of meaning, moral guidance and community belonging
Role models demonstrate how to live out religious values in practical ways
Both processes work through formal education, everyday practices and community reinforcement
In today's world, individuals have more choice in how they engage with religious teachings and which role models they follow

Understanding these processes helps us recognise how our own identities have been shaped and the influences that continue to affect who we become.

🧠 Test Your Knowledge!