Citation

Kanas A, Scheepers P, Sterkens C. Soc. Sci. Res. 2017; 63: 95-110.

Affiliation

Department of Empirical Practical Theology, Radboud University Nijmegen, PO Box 9103, 6500 HD, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: c.sterkens@ftr.ru.nl.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ssresearch.2016.09.019

PMID

28202159

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between interreligious contact and negative attitudes towards the religious out-group. It uses unique survey data collected by the authors among Christian and Muslim students in Maluku and Yogyakarta (Indonesia) and Mindanao and Metro Manila (the Philippines). Even after taking self-selection effects into account, interreligious friendships reduce negative attitudes towards the religious out-group. However, casual interreligious contact increases negative out-group attitudes. Also individuals who experienced interreligious violence have more negative out-group attitudes than those without such experience. The experience of interreligious violence has no influence on the effect of interreligious friendships but it further deteriorates the relationship between casual interreligious contact and out-group attitudes. Perceived group threat is an important mechanism explaining the effects of both positive and negative interreligious contact. [125].

Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Intergroup contact; Prejudice; Religion; Violence