The Three-Dimensional Structure of Secular Belief Systems: Exploratory Factor Analysis and Investigation of Its Psychological and Political Correlates

Joevarian Hudiyana; Novitasari R. Damanik; Gagan Hartana Tupah Brama; Amarina Ashar Ariyanto

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Chapter 3 The Three-Dimensional Structure of Secular Belief Systems: Exploratory Factor Analysis and Investigation of Its Psychological and Political Correlates

In: Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, Volume 32

Authors:

Joevarian Hudiyana

Joevarian Hudiyana
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Novitasari R. Damanik

Novitasari R. Damanik
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Gagan Hartana Tupah Brama

Gagan Hartana Tupah Brama
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Amarina Ashar Ariyanto

Amarina Ashar Ariyanto
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 49–77

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004505315_004

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Abstract

Previous efforts to investigate secular belief systems assumed that secularism is the state of having no religious affiliations. However, little attempts have been made to develop personal-level instruments to measure secularism based on its belief contents. To fill this gap in literature, we estimated the psychometric properties of a 21-item secular belief scale. A total of 317 participants completed our online surveys. Our exploratory factor analysis revealed that the 21-item secular belief scale were structured in three dimensions: 1. The rejection of supernatural explanation, 2. The separation of the church and the state, and 3. The endorsement of human rationality. In an attempt to validate the scale based on external validity, we found that secular beliefs were associated with other psychological and political variables such as the need for cognitive closure, right-wing authoritarianism, and analytical thinking. Moreover, all three dimensions were found to be internally consistent. Our secular belief scale is thus a valid and reliable measure which enables the interested researchers to examine the belief content of secular people.

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Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, Volume 32

Lesser Heard Voices in Studies of Religion

Series: Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, Volume: 32

Cover Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, Volume 32

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004505315

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 12 Apr 2022

Subjects
- Religious Studies
- Social Sciences
  - Religion & Society

Front Matter

Open Section

Edited by

Ralph W. Hood and Sariya Cheruvallil-Contractor

Special section 1 Religion or Belief in Higher Education

Edited

by Sariya Cheruvallil-Contractor

Special section 2 Cultural Blindness in Psychology

Edited by

Louise Sundararajan

Special section 3 Religious Authority in Practice in Contemporary Evangelical, Charismatic and Pentecostal Christianity

Edited by

Maren Freudenberg, Martin Radermacher and Sebastian Schüler

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Chapter 3 The Three-Dimensional Structure of Secular Belief Systems: Exploratory Factor Analysis and Investigation of Its Psychological and Political Correlates

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Citation Info

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Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, Volume 32

Lesser Heard Voices in Studies of Religion

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