Religious Tradition, Religiosity, or Everyday Theologies? Unpacking Religion's Relationship to Support for Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage among a College Student Sample

Abstract

This study explores the differential impact of religious tradition, religiosity, and everyday theologies on support for legalizing same-sex marriage among a sample of undergraduate college students. The findings suggest that among college students in the United States the group of everyday theologies-personal religious beliefs that emerge through individuals' lived experiences and social interactions-that we examine has a larger influence on attitudes about legalizing same-sex marriage than do either religious tradition or religiosity (measured as attendance, prayer, and guidance). We operationalize the concept of everyday theologies as levels of endorsement for six different religious themes. Implications for social movements promoting same-sex marriage and future research are discussed.

Religiosity, Spirituality, and Attitudes Toward Same-Sex Marriage

“…The analysis for Millennials shows that Catholics (b = .391, p < .01), African American Protestants (b = .552, p < .01), and no preference respondents (b = .429, p < .01) were more supportive of same-sex marriage than mainline Protestants. While other research points to some variation within religious tradition, this research also points to differences between religious traditions among young adults even when control variables are included in the models (Walls et al, 2014). Interestingly, there was no significant difference between evangelical Protestants and mainline Protestants.…”

“…That is, increased attendance has been associated with less support for samesex marriage. However, recent research (Walls et al, 2014) found no effect for attendance among a sample of college students when other controls were included in the models. Third, among Millennials, African American Protestants are more likely to support same-sex marriage than their predominantly White, mainline Protestant counterparts.…”

“…We use the 2012 and 2014 GSS years because they include items that tap religiosity, spirituality, and attitudes toward same-sex marriage and afford the opportunity to examine differences across younger and older birth cohorts. Although it would be highly useful to examine the role of religiosity and spiritualism as they affect the mundane experiences of individuals who must interpret and incorporate these values into their daily lives (Walls, Woodford, & Levy, 2014), our research relies on survey data that cannot tap into this aspect pertaining to same-sex marriages. However, our analysis does point to an important component of the cultural resources that establishes the basis for an individual's syncretism (Woodford, Walls, & Levy, 2012).…”

Religion and progressive politics in the United States

“…As Pelz and Smidt () document, President Barack Obama inspired younger voters, including some White evangelicals, to support a more progressive political outlook (see also Rhodes, ). This was perhaps most visible in the declining opposition to same‐sex marriage among younger people (e.g., Perry & Whitehead, ; Walls, Woodford, & Levy, ). Further, many younger religious cohorts, especially among Catholics, are sympathetic to immigrant rights and are alienated by the Right's hardline on that issue.…”

“…As Pelz and Smidt (2015) document, President Barack Obama inspired younger voters, including some White evangelicals, to support a more progressive political outlook (see also Rhodes, 2011). This was perhaps most visible in the declining opposition to same-sex marriage among younger people (e.g., Perry & Whitehead, 2016;Walls, Woodford, & Levy, 2014).…”