Abstract:
This study had the following purposes:
1) To study the beliefs, and the causes of those beliefs, in spiritual and
supernatural forces and beings among Walailak University undergraduate
students.
2) To study the characteristics of the students behaviors as consumers of those
beliefs and belief systems.
The research methodology employed a mixed methods paradigm, having
both qualitative and quantitative elements. The initial phase involved qualitative
research in which the author gathered data through interviews and observations. On
the basis of this information, the author developed a questionnaire to study the
relationships between beliefs in sacred/spiritual/supernatural things, beings, and
events, along with spiritual consumption behaviors pertaining to those beliefs. The
data gathering was limited specifically to those who had direct personal experience
of supernatural entities, forces, or events in the university.
The research found that the university students indeed have belief and
experience of supernatural forces and events. These beliefs are rooted both in the
mind and also in fear. There are five steps in the development of these beliefs: The
first is the arising, or building of belief (Build). Second is the sharing of experiences
(Sharing Experience). The third is acceptance, or acknowledgement, that the belief(s)
or experience(s) may be true (Adoption). A fourth is practices and other activities
based on those beliefs (Performing). All of this finally gives rise to belief (Belief). As
for the students spiritual consumption behaviors, the ones of particular interest to
the researcher were the behaviors of making vows and requesting spiritual blessings
(3)
at sacred sites and shrines; and the practice of informing others of ones supernatural
experiences. The researcher interprets these behaviors as cases of symbolic
consumption or, literally, consuming meanings in a symbolic manner.
As for the relations between spiritual beliefs and spiritual consumption
behaviors, they were found to have positive correlations at the 0.05 level of
significance. The correlation between making vows (or requesting blessings) and
receiving a positive response to those requests was also positive at the 0.05 level of
significance.
WALAILAK UNIVERSITY. CENTER FOR LIBRARY RESOURCES AND EDUCATIONAL MEDIA