International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue VIII, August 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186
Wambua Pius Muasa (PhD)
Institute of Youth Studies, School of Arts and Social Sciences
Tangaza University College, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Kenya
Abstract: Globally, studies have shown negative attitude towards the same gender relationships among the university students. However, there is lack of similar studies among University students in Kenya and therefore, the objective this study was to establish the relationship between religious orthodoxy and attitude towards the same gender relationships among University students in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study employed a correlational research design. Through simple random sampling the study utilized a sample size of 294 participants. The data was collected using the Religious Orthodoxy Scale and Attitude towards Homosexuality Scale. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The study found out that religious Orthodoxy had insignificant predictive relationship with the general attitude towards homosexuality (β=-.246, p≤.05).
I. INTRODUCTION
Globally, religious organizations continue to consider “homosexuality” as morally wrong and unacceptable in the society (Cadge, Olson, & Wildeman, 2008; Cohen, Aviv, & Kelman, 2009). Since gay men and lesbian relationships in perspective of Christianity are perceived sinful and unacceptable, they would not be allowed to participate in the Church activities (Whitehead, 2010). Homosexuality is extremely opposed among the religious fundamentalists because they strongly believe that they teach truth and that all other beliefs and interpretations are considered false. They strongly believe that their “truth” is given from the higher being and therefore, it cannot be questioned (Whitehead, 2010).
Earlier studies have reported religiosity to play a critical role in attitude towards gay men and lesbians though the intensity of it depends on the doctrine of a particular denomination (Finlay & Walther, 2003; Schulte & Battle, 2004; Whitley, 2009). According to Subhi et al. (2011), majority of Christian religious denominations such as Evangelical Christian faiths have doctrine and teachings that consider homosexuality to be morally wrong. Tension in social work profession has been experienced as result of conflict between the religious belief and social work values. Some Christian faiths would only tolerate LGBT person if they abstain from sexual behaviour (Hodge, 2005).
A study conducted by Jill et al. (2013) reported that people who score high in religiosity and spirituality had more negative attitude towards the gay men and lesbians. The study found low negative attitude towards the LGBT persons where denominations taught accepting messages of the group. In addition, the study found that those who have LGBT friends are likely to have a positive attitude towards them. The intensity of attitude towards LGBT person is much influenced by their levels of religiosity. That means the students with high levels of religiosity are likely to have strong negative towards sexual minorities compared to their counterparts.
Some researchers have attributed inclusive attitude towards lesbians and gay men to secularization and declining of religious participation among the Christians (Twenge et al., 2015). According to Barnes and Mayer (2012) majority of religions in United States are unsupportive of homosexual behaviours. Many religious individuals are against the same sex behaviour and marriage (Sherkat et al., 2011; Twenge et al., 2015). Also, research has documented widely on denominational teaching and scriptural messages against the subject of homosexuality (Jaspal & Siraj, 2011; Wilkerson et al., 2012). Studies have found Muslims to have more negative attitude towards homosexuality compared to Catholics and Jews. However, the negative attitude towards homosexuality among the Muslims is not much different compared to Protestants, Hindus, Buddhists and orthodox Christians (Adamczyk & Pitt, 2009). A study by Pew Research (2015) reported that many religious institutions in United States including the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Jewish movement, Southern Baptist and other evangelical Protestants Churches have negative stand against the same sex marriages. However, some Churches such as Reform and Conservative Jewish movement and United Church of Christ have allowed the same sex marriage.
In Africa, homosexuality is one of the current behaviours that is considered “morally wrong” and against the African “taboos” (Sollar & Somda, 2011). A study conducted in Africa showed that many African countries strongly despise the practice of homosexuality (Sollar & Somda, 2011). African leaders such as Late Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe had compared those who practice homosexuality with prostitutes, pigs and dogs (Shoko, 2010). If taboos are broken the African people believe that there are consequences to follow. For