The Influence of Evangelical Religiosity on Environmentalism

Abstract

US environmental policy and ecology have become increasingly popular, yet politically polarized in the last 50 years. Despite increases in popularity overall, environmentalism has become and continues to be disregarded, or even opposed, among evangelical Christian groups. Many psychological and sociological factors may explain this link. A study was conducted at a Christian university in South Carolina to determine the contribution of theological, psychological, and political factors related to evangelicalism and their relationship with environmentalism. The results indicate that doctrinal and political ideologies like evangelical doctrine, political conservatism, and eschatological attitudes about the end of the world each are independently related to negative environmental attitudes. These findings indicate that environmental appeals to young evangelicals need to address several unique factors.