GROUP COMFORMITY AND INDIVIDUALS’ BEHAVIOR TOWARDS ADOPTING SECTARIAN IDENTITIES
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Date
2019
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UMT.lahore
Abstract
Religion is considered as an integral part of individuals’ daily routine practices in the society. People perform religious obligations very rigorously and avoid all the religiously declared prohibited acts. This current study aims, to identify the role of group conformity towards adopting sectarian identities by individuals with the emphasis of exploring the practices of sectarian identities that causes an environment of inter-group disintegration in the community. This study will be significant in recommending initiatives that can create an environment of harmony between people belonging to different sectarian believers. Qualitative research method was applied to analyze group conformity and individuals’ behavior towards practicing sectarian identities. Twelve participants was selected through purposive sampling technique. Structured interview guide was used as data collection tool and themes was extracted to describe existing trends and patterns regarding group conformity and sectarian identity construction. Results revealed efficacious role of group conformity to encourage individuals towards adopting and practicing any particular sectarian identity in the society. Results highlighted that, desire of getting religious hegemony and supremacy with the coutesy of group conformity lead individuals towards intolerant behaviors on sectarian ideological grounds. Such type of religious differences become a cause of enmity and creates an environment of disintegration in the society. Sectarian difference not only creates religious boundaries among people but also causing socio-cultural cracks between individuals having different sectarian identities. Current study stated positive communication and paying respect to everyone without considering others’ sectarian identity can terminate sectarian based hostility in the society.