Religious Life in Erzurum and Its Surrounding Villages, as Turkish original name is "Erzurum ve Çevre Köylerinde Dinî Hayat" is a book written by Prof. Dr. Ünver Günay (1945–2022), a prominent scholar in the field of sociology of religion. Published as part of Dergâh Yayınları's "Erzurum Library" series, the work examines religious life in Erzurum and its surrounding villages from the perspective of sociology of religion, using a field research methodology. The first edition was published in August 1999 and is 293 pages long.

Content and Thematic Structure

The book is structured to investigate the relationship between religion and society. It operates on the fundamental assumption that religious life, customs, and religious behaviors in Turkish society cannot be analyzed independently of the social structure. The work is based on a sociology of religion approach and a field research methodology. The study examines the religious practices observed in Erzurum and its surrounding villages under various headings: worship habits, religious ceremonies, folk beliefs, forms of religiosity, the social status of religious leaders, religious education, and the place of religious groups in social life. These topics are analyzed using data gathered from field observations and interviews.

Scope and Contribution of the Research

The book is considered one of the early field studies conducted in Türkiye within the discipline of sociology of religion. The study, which focuses on the Erzurum region, examines the relationship between religious life and social structure in a local context. The research findings present the transformation of traditional elements in the face of modernization processes, the functions of religious institutions, and the public's perception of religion within a sociological framework. In this respect, the work contains data and analyses aimed at understanding the structure of religious life at both a regional and general level. The function of religion in the context of social change and how religion is lived at the grassroots level constitute the main areas of examination in the study.

Methodology and Style

The study employs qualitative research methods and data collection techniques based on field research. The text is written in accordance with academic writing rules; scientific concepts are clearly defined and supported by analyses based on a theoretical framework. The author's style is explanatory and systematic, avoiding promotional or laudatory language. The book focuses on the direct presentation of data and analytical solutions.

The Author's Position and the Book's Significance

Prof. Dr. Ünver Günay is an academician who worked in the field of sociology of religion in Türkiye. Religious Life in Erzurum and Its Surrounding Villages is a notable example in the relevant literature due to its reliance on field research and its sociological approach to local religious life. The work can be considered a reference for researchers in fields such as the sociology of religion, cultural anthropology, folklore, theology, and local history. It offers information that can serve as a reference, especially for researchers seeking empirical data on religious life in rural Türkiye.