Leaving religion linked to shift toward liberal politics
Study finds people become more liberal after leaving religion.
Why it matters
- Challenges the idea of "religious residue" in political orientation.
- Shows a clear pattern of becoming more liberal after leaving religion.
By the numbers
- Study included 7,089 adults from the U.S., Netherlands, and Hong Kong.
- People who left religion became more liberal, similar to never-religious individuals.
The big picture
- Suggests potential shifts in political landscapes as secularization increases.
What they're saying
- Personal anecdotes align with study findings.
- Religious involvement often tied to conservative views.
Caveats
- Used a single broad question to measure political orientation.
- Data is observational, not causal.
What’s next
- Further research on detailed political ideology assessments.
- Exploration of personality traits in these shifts.