Attitudes Towards Members of Religious Groups: Considering the Role of a Scientific Worldview

Abstract

Past research has identified several factors, such as social ties, that can influence an individual's attitudes towards a particular religious group. This study extends this literature to consider the role of a scientific worldview in shaping attitudes towards different religious groups. In addition to expanding the literature on religious tolerance, this study advances the social scientific study of religion and science in two ways. First, unlike much research that has considered conflict between religion and science in purely abstract or institutional terms, this study considers how such conflict could impact interpersonal interactions and relationships. Second, unlike much research in this area that has operationalized religion in a generic sense, this study assesses how a scientific worldview influences attitudes towards specific religious groups. Our analysis of survey data collected with a probability sample of US adults finds that, net of other factors, a scientific worldview is negatively associated with personal attitudes towards Christians and Jews, unassociated with attitudes towards Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists, and positively associated with attitudes towards atheists.