Perceptions of the Functions of Religion and Attitude toward Religious Freedom: Introducing the New Indices of the Functions of Religion (NIFoR)

Abstract

This article proposes, tests, and introduces the New Indices of the Functions of Religion (NIFoR) and explores their relevance for explaining individual differences in attitude toward religious freedom. The theory being tested is that openness to the principles of religious freedom is related to perceptions of the functions of religion in society. A review of extant literature on the functions of religion identified eleven conceptually distinct functions. These functions were operationalised by thirty items. Drawing on data provided by 1035 students in Northern Italy, factor analysis reduced these thirty items to seven latent functions of religion. Regression analysis employing these seven latent functions demonstrated that a more positive attitude toward religious freedom was associated with conceptualising religion as primarily concerned with offering meaning and moral guidance.

Analysis of the Perceptions Shared by Young People about the Relevance and Versatility of Religion in Culturally Diverse Contexts

“…Although, as Gan (2010) [39] stated, it would be a dialogue that goes beyond a mere verbal interchange and turns into a significant and referential expression process, which also "permeates both the synchronic and diachronic axes" (p. 67). Breskaya, Francis and Giordan (2020) [40] showed that young people mostly support the religious freedom principles when they hold such freedom responsible for the promotion of tolerance, the interconfessional dialogue and ideas of religious freedom. In line with this thinking, our results endorse the potential of religion in the transformation and promotion of a culture of religious freedom in society.…”