The Concept of Religion in Traditionalism and its Implications for the Field of Religious Education

Today, religion and religious education has turned into an important and controversial issue. In this regard, many scholars and philosophical schools of thought have increasingly inclined towards religion and spirituality. Traditionalism is one of these schools of thought. Traditionalists regard "spiritual crisis" as one of the major cultural features of the new era of modernity , which results from the loss of its traditional sources i.e. religion. Using inferential analysis, the present paper tries to discuss the concept of religion in traditionalism and the relationship between religion and tradition and to consider its educational implications for the field of religious education. It first uses reliable sources to extract the views and thoughts of traditionalists about religion and then, through an eclectic approach, summarizes and integrates those viewpoints and processes the specific concepts in religious education. The most important finding of the research shows that according to traditionalists, religion has the ability to influence all the aspects of human life. They emphasis on the rational defense of religion and regard modernism as the direct cause of weakened religiosity. Accordingly, they believe that the best way to confront this challenge is a deep and thorough knowledge of the modern world based on a rational approach. The Quran and Hadith are the two integrated springs of Islamic tradition and the teachings of these two eternal sources are the key to guidance, nearness to God and happiness in both worlds.