A Framework for Analyzing Sacred Space in Contemporary Religious Practices

Thesis Abstract

Contemporary religious practices increasingly emphasize the significance of sacred spaces as vital sites for spirituality, communal identity, and religious expression, yet there remains a limited theoretical and analytical framework for systematically examining how these spaces function and influence practitioners within diverse religious contexts. This study aims to develop a comprehensive framework for analyzing sacred space in contemporary religious practices, with particular emphasis on how spatial configurations, symbolic elements, and ritual interactions shape religious experiences and social cohesion. The specific objectives include identifying core dimensions of sacred space, examining their relevance across different faith traditions, and proposing an integrated analytical model to facilitate systematic assessments of sacred spatiality in contemporary settings. Employing a qualitative research design grounded in phenomenological and ethnographic paradigms, the study draws upon data from twenty-five in-depth interviews with religious practitioners across three major faith traditions—Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism—in a metropolitan urban environment. Additionally, Fieldwork involves participant observation of twenty religious rituals conducted in diverse sacred spaces such as churches, mosques, and temples. Data collection instruments encompass semi-structured interview guides, observational checklists, and visual documentation. The validity and reliability of instruments are enhanced through triangulation, member checking, and peer debriefing. Thematic analysis, guided by Braun and Clarke’s methodology, is employed to identify recurring themes and patterns within qualitative data, while the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is utilized to weight different dimensions within the proposed framework. The anticipated findings reveal that sacred spaces serve multifaceted roles—metaphysical, social, and psychological—contributing to a shared sense of identity, spiritual empowerment, and communal values. The analysis is expected to highlight commonalities and distinctions across religious traditions, demonstrating that spatial symbolism, ritual design, and community engagement are critical variables influencing religious practice and perception of sacredness. By integrating these factors, the study proposes a novel Analytical Framework for Sacred Space (AFSS) adaptable to diverse religious contexts, facilitating both academic inquiry and practical applications in religious architecture, interfaith dialogue, and spiritual education. The study's contribution to knowledge lies in its systematic conceptualization of sacred space, bridging gaps between spatial theory, religious symbolism, and ritual studies, and offering a versatile model for researchers and practitioners. It advances existing literature by emphasizing the dynamic interaction between physical space and religious experience, thereby providing a nuanced understanding of how sacred environments are constructed, experienced, and embedded within social fabric. The framework’s flexibility allows for comparative analysis across different faiths and cultural contexts and offers a foundation for future empirical validation and refinement. Conclusively, the study asserts that sacred spaces are integral to the lived experience of faith communities and that a coherent analytical framework enhances the understanding of their role in contemporary religion. It recommends that religious institutions incorporate the framework into their spatial planning and community engagement strategies to reinforce their spiritual and social functions. Furthermore, the study advocates for ongoing interdisciplinary research encompassing religious studies, architecture, and sociology to explore emerging trends in sacred spatiality amidst globalization and technological innovation. This research thus provides a significant step towards a more systematic and culturally sensitive approach to analyzing sacred spaces in the modern religious landscape.