The Religiosity of Polish Roman Catholics and the Meanings They Attribute to Homosexuality: Evidence from Network Analysis

Abstract

Introduction Previous research suggests that negative views on homosexuality are fostered by higher levels of religiosity. Little is known, however, about what meanings religious people attribute to homosexuality, how these meanings connect with each other, what kind of network they form, and which of them are central. Methods The research was conducted in 2020, based on a representative sample of Polish Catholics (N = 874). Religiosity was determined using latent class analysis. Based on an investigation of press discourse in Poland, six meanings of homosexuality were identified as positive (orientation, love, fulfillment) and negative (sin, deviation, disease). Network analysis was used to determine the relationship between religiosity and the meanings attributed to homosexuality. Results The analyses showed that greater compliance of religious orientations with the Roman Catholic Church’s expectations translates into increased acceptance of negative meanings of homosexuality (primarily sin). Weaker (negative) correlations were noted between religiosity and positive meanings, which we interpret as resulting from the absence of the negation of positive meanings in Roman Catholic teaching. Conclusions The relationships between religiosity and positive and negative meanings of homosexuality were found to be asymmetrical, unbalanced, and designated by negativity bias. The weakening meaning of sin may play an important role in changing religious people’s attitude toward homosexuality. Policy Implications The absolution of homosexuality would reduce the likelihood of negative meanings such as deviance or disease. This could lead to a reduction in exclusionary perceptions of homosexuality.

Dimensionality of scrupulosity and its associations with obsessive-compulsive symptomatology in a nonclinical sample: A network approach.

“…These symptoms could be particularly important in the context of religious affiliation that holds restrictive standards regarding moral behavior, but also in religions with direct way of approaching God. Christians approach God in more direct fashion (Miner et al, 2014) and hold restrictive moral rules regarding, for example, sexuality (Borowik et al, 2023). This may create a context which fosters worries about behaving immorally in highly religious communities such as the Polish society (Finke & Adamczyk, 2008).…”

“…The strengths of this study consist in the examination of the network of symptoms of scrupulosity and the exploration of the context of a highly religious, traditional, and institutionalized society predominated by Roman Catholics (Borowik et al, 2023). This investigation, thus, adds to existing research on the validity of the PIOS and to studies on scrupulosity in particular religious denominations.…”

“…The dominant religious affiliation in Poland is the Roman Catholic Church; belief in God and Christ approaches 90% in the Polish society, and a high share of Poles (40%) participate in regular weekly religious practices, said share being stable despite of societal changes in the last decades (Borowik, 2017). The traditional, institutionalized form of religiosity is strong in Poland (Borowik et al, 2023). These characteristics may indicate that religious individuals in Poland could be particularly exposed to a context potentially fostering the development of scrupulosity.…”