The Interplay Between Religious Orientations, State Secularism, and Gay Rights Issues

Abstract

The aim of this study was to test the effects of religious orientations (intrinsic, extrinsic, and quest) and secularism of state on attitude towards both same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples. Moreover, the mediating effects of secularism of state on the relationship between religious orientations and attitude towards gay rights were assessed. Participants were 276 heterosexual, Catholic Italians who completed a questionnaire containing measures of the investigated constructs. Results showed that state secularism and quest orientation positively correlated with both attitudes investigated, whereas intrinsic orientation negatively correlated with both types of attitude. Moreover, secularism of state mediated the relationship between extrinsic and intrinsic orientations and attitude towards both same-sex marriage and adoption by gay men and lesbians.

KEYWORDS:

• secularism of state
• religious orientations
• same-sex marriage
• adoption by gay men and lesbians

Notes

¹No difference was found on the basis of gender for attitude towards both same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples (F_s < 1).