31st Annual Student Research Conference
Understanding Differences: Is Morality Shaped by Religious Affiliation?
Jonas Chang
Dr. Anton Daughters, Faculty Mentor
This study examines the relationships between religion, culture, and morality. The Truman State University undergraduate population was surveyed and participants were asked their religious affiliation, adherence to religious doctrine, and opinions regarding moral statements and situations. Moral themes ranged from the harming of other human beings, the nature of the family, and one’s social obligations. It was found that respondents of different religious affiliations have different moral beliefs concerning the concept of 'family.' Protestants and Non-Denominational Christians share more moral alignments with each other than other religious affiliations, such as disapproving of same sex couples, abortion, and pre-marital cohabitation. Such moral beliefs are influenced by the high rates of Protestants and Non-Denominational Christians who get many of their moral beliefs from a sacred text and have high weekly worship service attendance. These aspects are ultimately determined by the frequency by which someone attends worship services as a child.
Keywords: Religion, Morality, Culture
Topic(s):Sociology
Philosophy & Religion
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 311-2
Location: VH 1236
Time: 1:15