Intellectual humility and religious tolerance

Abstract

The present study explored the relationship between (a) intellectual humility toward religious beliefs and values and (b) religious tolerance. Pastors who identified as Christian (N = 196) completed measures of conservatism, religious commitment, intellectual humility toward religious beliefs and values, and religious tolerance. Intellectual humility was a positive predictor of religious tolerance, even when controlling for conservatism and religious commitment. An interaction was found between exposure to religious diversity and intellectual humility, such that exposure to religious diversity was positively related to religious tolerance only for participants who reported high levels of intellectual humility. We conclude by discussing limitations, areas for future research, and implications for interfaith dialog and engagement.

Keywords:

• Humility
• religion
• tolerance
• diversity

Acknowledgment

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Fuller Thrive Center or the John Templeton Foundation.

Funding

We would like to acknowledge the generous financial support of the Fuller Theological Seminary/Thrive Center in concert with the John Templeton Foundation [grant number 108]; as well as the John Templeton Foundation [grant number 29630], [grant number 14979].

Notes

1. Mainline Protestant churches tend to be more politically and theologically liberal than Evangelical Protestant churches.