Rd. Fisher et al., RELIGIOUSNESS, RELIGIOUS ORIENTATION, AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS GAYS AND LESBIANS, Journal of applied social psychology, 24(7), 1994, pp. 614-630
Two studies are reported that examine the relationships among religiou
sness, religious orientation, and prejudice toward gays and lesbians.
Study 1 reports the results of a survey done for the purposes of scien
tific jury selection. These results suggest that Baptists, fundamental
ists, and ''Christians'' display more antigay prejudice than do Cathol
ics, Jews, and many Protestant denominations, but even many supporters
of gay-tolerant religions show more antigay prejudice than those clai
ming no religious preference. Among those with a religious preference,
frequency of worship is significantly related to antigay prejudice am
ong those belonging to antigay denominations, but not among those belo
nging to more gay tolerant religious faiths. Study 2 reports the resul
ts of a study of college students regarding religiousness, religious o
rientation, and prejudice toward gays and lesbians. Results showed tha
t self reported religiousness, frequency of worship, and Batson's inte
rnal and external scales were all positively correlated with measures
of prejudice toward gays and lesbians, whereas scores on the Quest (In
teractional) scale were negatively correlated. Results of both studies
strongly challenge the view that those with an intrinsic religious or
ientation are unprejudiced. It is argued that a social influence proce
ss can account for the role played by religious practice and beliefs i
n creating and maintaining negative attitudes toward gays and lesbians
.