Abstract
Though many studies address the role of religion in predicting social attitudes over time, none has examined this relationship specifically for euthanasia. Using a large, nationally representative data source, this study seeks to address this void. Our findings indicate that considerable differences exist among religious denominations regarding the legalization of euthanasia. Specifically, we note a liberalizing trend for all included denominations. We also demonstrate substantial differences in the rates of liberalization, particularly in comparison to conservative Protestants. We conclude with an assessment of our findings relative to previous studies on religion and public opinion.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 249-272 |
Number of pages | 24 |
Journal | Sociological Forum |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2006 |
Keywords
- Denomination
- Euthanasia
- Polarization
- Trends
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Sociology and Political Science