Religious Becoming: In the US Religion Breeds Tolerance, Rejects Violence

• In Event: Religion and Political Behavior

Abstract

Religion is often conceptualized by inputs (believing, belonging, behaving). Yet, most world religions do not have common religious beliefs, proscribed behavior, or methods of worship. Conceptualizing religion by the inputs can make it difficult to distinguish religious individuals from those who are not. I propose conceptualizing religion by the outputs. Major religious traditions have common virtues they encourage adherents to develop. This paper develops and validates the religious becoming scale, which measures the extent to which an individual has become the kind of person religions attempt to create. Using national survey data in the United States I show that religiosity (inputs) is positively associated with anti-democratic attitudes, support for political violence, and intolerance of others. In contrast, religious becoming (outputs of religion) is associated with pro-democratic positions, support for non-violence, and tolerance for others.

Author

• Matthew R Miles, Brigham Young University, Idaho