Tolerance of Non-Believers: A Cross-Tabular and Log Linear Analysis of Some Religious Correlates

Abstract

It was noted that there may be two dimensions to religious intolerance: (1) intolerance of those defined as belonging to traditional religious groups and (2) intolerance of those who are labelled "anti-religious." Little research has been done on the characteristics of those who are tolerant of the latter group. Utilizing national survey data (NORC 1973), those characteristics were explored through cross-tabular and log linear analysis. Religious preference and church attendance were related to intolerance of atheists. Explanations were offered along the lone of status crystallization, civil religion, and religious particularism. It is generally accepted that sociological research should be precise and inclusive in its concept formulation (Hage, 1972: 12; Gibbs, 1972: 5; Willer, 1967: xix; Marx, 1968: 10-12). Those people who do not accept the traditional forms of religion, however, have for the most part been overlooked in the concept formulation of religiosity (Yinger, 1969; 1970: 29-40).1 In data gathered on college students, Wuthnow and Glock (1973) showed that non-believers are a significant group. They found that 52% of the senior males expressed some sort of unbelief (27% agnostic, 10% atheist, 15% none). Though their sample was not a random sample of the American scene, the amount of expressed unbelief should be noted. Contrasted to the sociological lack of interest in atheism,2 religious thinkers have taken up the significance of the atheistic alternative. Gilkey (1969: 9) argued that the current debate is not the debate that has been carried on outside the Church for centuries but rather it is a new debate and dialogue within the Church on the very meaning and significance of traditional religious concepts. Various formulations of this debate range from making doubt an integral component of faith (Tillich, 1958: 18)