DİN SOSYOLOJİSİNDE ZİYARET DİNDARLIĞI: ŞANLIURFA ÖRNEĞİ.

This study deals with the question of why the religiosity of visiting, which is only centered around the tombs of saints, is performed and maintained. Phenomenological and Weberian and relative deprivation theories in sociology are used in order to analyze the problem of religiosity of visiting. Convictions and practices of the religiosity of visiting, which are structured around the tombs of saints and dervishes, are examined in a multidimensional way and in terms of typology. The charismatic power magnetizing the religiosity of visiting is the source of an abundance, fertility, purification and remedy which is believed to appease the various feelings of deprivation. Individuals who are incapable of coping with the economic, social, physical and psychological deprivations in social life perform a kind of religiosity of visiting in order to benefit from charismatic powers of saints and to submit their various wishes and demands and to make a vow. Consequently, religiosity accorded to visiting the tombs of saints and dervishes functions as a solution to various deprivations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]