Religiosity and attitude towards homosexuality: A comparative study on religious and non-religious young adults

Religion is a multifaceted notion that connects people or groups with their imagined sense of a higher power, spiritual force, by accommodating a range of beliefs, rituals, and organizational structures. In the modern era, attitudes toward homosexuality have undergone a significant shift, especially in light of scientific advancements and the global LGBTQ+ rights movement. Decriminalizing same-sex relationships and recognizing the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals have gained momentum globally, challenging long-standing prejudices and legal restrictions. Religion has a significant influence on how society perceives homosexuality. On the other hand, LGBTQ+ people tend to be more accepted in secular or religiously mixed communities, however persistent prejudices from culture and religion may still have an effect. The findings from this research reveal a significant moderate positive correlation between religiosity and negative attitudes, highlighting that individuals with higher religiosity levels tend to hold less accepting views of homosexuality. Gender differences emerged, with females exhibiting higher religiosity than males. These results align with existing literature, illustrating the complex influences of religious beliefs and gendered socialization on social attitudes.