Religion and Foreign Policy Attitudes: Exploring the Effects of Denomination and Doctrine

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1994

Publication Title

American Politics Research

Volume

22

Issue

3

First page number:

382

Last page number:

400

Abstract

The effects of religious memberships and beliefs on general foreign policy orientations and on attitudes toward aspects of the Gulf War are examined. Although the effects of religion on foreign policy attitudes are somewhat limited, certain patterns emerge. Roman Catholics take relatively "dovish" positions on several foreign policy issues, and Catholics who hold Evangelical theological beliefs are especially skeptical of the necessity of bombing civilians. Among Protestants, the effects of membership in an Evangelical denomination are extremely limited, but Evangelical beliefs occasion hawkish attitudes on a number of international issues.

Keywords

Catholics; International relations; Protestants; Religion; Religion and politics

Disciplines

American Politics | Christian Denominations and Sects | Political Science | Religion

Language

English

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