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Sacred Rites and Civil Rights: Religion's Effect on Attitudes Toward Same‐Sex Unions and the Perceived Cause of Homosexuality

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  • Andrew L. Whitehead

Abstract

Objective. Past research reveals how religion and opinions about the cause of homosexuality influence attitudes concerning same‐sex unions. No study to date contains a comprehensive collection of religion measures while also accounting for views of the cause of homosexuality. Therefore, this study investigates the extent to which religion predicts certain attribution beliefs as well as attitudes toward same‐sex unions while controlling for attribution beliefs. Method. The Baylor Religion Survey (2007) is used to estimate binary logistic models predicting the effects of religion and attribution beliefs on attitudes toward same‐sex unions. Findings. First, religion is strongly associated with the belief that homosexuals choose their sexual orientation. Second, religion maintains a significant association with attitudes toward same‐sex unions despite inclusion of an attribution variable. Conclusion. Even if a biological explanation for homosexuality is ultimately proven, unfavorable attitudes toward same‐sex unions will most likely endure due to religion's persistent effect.

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  • Andrew L. Whitehead, 2010. "Sacred Rites and Civil Rights: Religion's Effect on Attitudes Toward Same‐Sex Unions and the Perceived Cause of Homosexuality," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 91(1), pages 63-79, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:91:y:2010:i:1:p:63-79
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6237.2010.00681.x
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    1. Peter B. Wood & John P. Bartkowski, 2004. "Attribution Style and Public Policy Attitudes Toward Gay Rights," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 85(1), pages 58-74, March.
    2. Laura R. Olson & Wendy Cadge & James T. Harrison, 2006. "Religion and Public Opinion about Same‐Sex Marriage," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 87(2), pages 340-360, June.
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    1. Jeniece Lusk & Jodien Johnson, 2022. "Bibles and Bathrooms: Intersex Variation Awareness Among College-Aged American Christians," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, April.
    2. Giulia M. Dotti Sani & Mario Quaranta, 2020. "Let Them Be, Not Adopt: General Attitudes Towards Gays and Lesbians and Specific Attitudes Towards Adoption by Same-Sex Couples in 22 European Countries," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 150(1), pages 351-373, July.
    3. Andrew L. Whitehead, 2014. "Politics, Religion, Attribution Theory, and Attitudes Toward Same-Sex Unions," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 95(3), pages 701-718, September.
    4. Paul A. Djupe & Andrew R. Lewis & Anand E. Sokhey & Ryan P. Burge, 2021. "Does Disgust Drive Religious Freedom Attitudes? Experimental Results About the Context of Service Refusal Opinion," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 102(2), pages 755-770, March.
    5. Samuel Stroope & Scott Draper & Andrew Whitehead, 2013. "Images of a Loving God and Sense of Meaning in Life," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 111(1), pages 25-44, March.

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