Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2024
Abstract
Multiple-item indexes are ubiquitous within the sociology of religion. However, there are a growing number of articles in other disciplines that have advocated the use of single-item measures in specific circumstances. Using quantitative survey data taken from the United Kingdom, this paper contributes to this literature by exploring the impact of single and multiple item measures of religious evil on a series of social and political attitudes. The findings suggest that belief in the devil is the most consistent predictor within a multiple-item measure of religious evil and the multiple-item measure does not significantly outperform single-item measures. Indeed, the item “most evil in the world is caused by the devil” could be a more efficient measure of religious evil, particularly where it is combined with religious attendance. While further cross-cultural research on the impact of belief in religious evil remains necessary, the paper also finds some evidence to suggest that exploration of more secular beliefs in evil might be advantageous.
Recommended Citation
Clark, T., Desmond, S. A., & Bader, C. D. (2024). Measuring Religious Evil: Examining the Use of Single-Item Measures in Religious Research. Review of Religious Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/0034673X241279424
Peer Reviewed
1
Copyright
Religious Research Association
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Included in
Other Religion Commons, Other Sociology Commons, Politics and Social Change Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons, Social Psychology and Interaction Commons
Comments
This article was originally published in Review of Religious Research in 2024. https://doi.org/10.1177/0034673X241279424