Religiosity, the sinner and the sin: Different patterns of prejudice toward homosexuals and homosexuality

In this study, we analyzed the relationship between religiosity and sexual prejudice. We examined the effects of different religious orientations (intrinsic, extrinsic, and quest), while controlling for the effects of fundamentalism and distinguishing between prejudice toward homosexuality and toward homosexuals. As predicted, intrinsic orientation was associated with prejudice toward homosexuality, but not toward homosexuals, whereas extrinsic orientation was constantly related to sexual prejudice, and quest orientation to prejudice reduction. When fundamentalism was added among predictors, the unfavourable effects of intrinsic religiosity disappeared, so as, in part, those of extrinsic orientation. At the same time, the association between quest and tolerance remained unchanged. Finally, in moderation analyses, we found that quest orientation, as a mature form of religiosity, favoured the beneficial role of intrinsic orientation. On the contrary, and consistent with the original predictions by Allport and Ross, the combination of high levels of intrinsic and extrinsic orientations had the most detrimental effects on sexual prejudice