S01E20 - A Dual Route to Distrust of Atheists: Perceiving Atheists to Lack Individualizing Moral Foundations and an External Moralizing Agent Heightens Christians’ Distrust

This research explores why American Christians frequently harbor a deep-seated distrust toward atheists. Across four distinct studies, the authors identify a dual-pathway model consisting of internal and external factors that fuel this prejudice. Christians often view atheists as lacking an internal moral compass, specifically the "individualizing" foundations that prioritize compassion and the prevention of harm. Simultaneously, distrust is driven by an external route, where religious individuals believe that a watchful God is necessary to enforce ethical behavior through divine surveillance. The findings suggest that atheists are stereotyped as morally deficient because they are perceived to operate without both personal altruistic values and the accountability of a higher power. Consequently, these moral stereotypes play a more significant role in shaping social tension than simple theological disagreements.Citation: Wormley, Alexandra S., Anna Stefaniak, Samantha Hollingshead, and Michael J. A. Wohl. n.d. “A Dual Route to Distrust of Atheists: Perceiving Atheists to Lack Individualizing Moral Foundations and an External Moralizing Agent Heightens Christians’ Distrust.” Group Processes & Intergroup Relations. doi:10.1177/13684302261438589.