The Mediating Roles of Political Ideology, Dominion Belief, and Stewardship Belief in the Relationship Between Christianity and Environmentalism: Evaluating Lynn White's Thesis in the Netherlands.
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| Title: | The Mediating Roles of Political Ideology, Dominion Belief, and Stewardship Belief in the Relationship Between Christianity and Environmentalism: Evaluating Lynn White's Thesis in the Netherlands. |
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| Authors: | Fortuin, Nienke P. M. (AUTHOR), Sterkens, Carl (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.). Jun2026, Vol. 65 Issue 2, p149-162. 14p. |
| Subjects: | Christianity, Environmentalism, Environmental degradation, Dutch language, Faith, Stewardship theory, Ideology, Spirituality |
| Geographic Terms: | Netherlands |
| Abstract: | Previous studies provide mixed empirical support for White's thesis that Christianity has contributed to the ecological crisis. This study aims to add nuance to White's thesis by examining different aspects of Christianity within the secularized context of the Netherlands. It evaluates the relationships between spirituality, belief in God, church attendance, and environmental concern and conservation, investigating the mediating roles of political ideology, dominion belief, and stewardship belief. We found an indirect positive association between spirituality and environmental concern and conservation through six pathways involving political ideology, dominion belief, and stewardship belief as mediators. Insofar as Christianity motivates spirituality, this finding challenges White's thesis. Moreover, we found an indirect negative association between belief in God and environmental concern and conservation through three pathways involving increased right‐wing political preference, which qualifies White's apolitical thesis. Finally, we found a direct negative association between church attendance and environmental conservation, which supports White's thesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.) is the property of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Previous studies provide mixed empirical support for White's thesis that Christianity has contributed to the ecological crisis. This study aims to add nuance to White's thesis by examining different aspects of Christianity within the secularized context of the Netherlands. It evaluates the relationships between spirituality, belief in God, church attendance, and environmental concern and conservation, investigating the mediating roles of political ideology, dominion belief, and stewardship belief. We found an indirect positive association between spirituality and environmental concern and conservation through six pathways involving political ideology, dominion belief, and stewardship belief as mediators. Insofar as Christianity motivates spirituality, this finding challenges White's thesis. Moreover, we found an indirect negative association between belief in God and environmental concern and conservation through three pathways involving increased right‐wing political preference, which qualifies White's apolitical thesis. Finally, we found a direct negative association between church attendance and environmental conservation, which supports White's thesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 00218294 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/jssr.70020 |
