Tenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

There is ample research providing evidence toward White’s (1967) thesis showing that religion and religious belief inhibit ecological concerns. This study seeks to explore the relation of individual’s acceptability toward harming animals as one representation of ecological concern [measured using Meng’s Animal Issue scale (AIS)] with their religious belief [measured using Allport’s religious orientation scale (ROS)] and ethical ideology [measured using Forsyth’s ethical position questionnaire (EPQ)]. The study surveyed 1007 school teachers and staff in East Java, Indonesia. Multiple regression analysis suggests mixed results where personal religious orientation promotes lower acceptability of harming animals while social religious orientation—where religion is viewed as an instrument for social motives, support and gain—leads to higher acceptability. We also find that religious orientation significantly correlates with idealism suggesting the possibility of how individual’s religious orientation might affect their ethical decisions. Several significant demographic determinants are identified, and interactions between the main and demographic variables, along with each of their limitations, are discussed.