The mere existence of religious outsiders threatens triumphalist unity narratives

Evidence

Stronger reli­ gious identification seemed to organize people’s social perceptions in much the same way as other social identities, leading the religious to respond to diverse others as outgroup members. As noted in the introduction, this perception might reflect the practice of religion largely within race such that race serves as a proxy for religious group identity. Fur­ thermore, religious groups may promote ethnocentrism by sharply differentiating between believers and nonbelievers (Altemeyer, 2003) and may perceive resource conflicts between themselves and out-group members (Jackson & Hunsberger, 1999). These factors explain why people with a stronger religious identity expressed more prejudice toward other races. — Deborah L. Hall and David C. Matz and Wendy Wood, Why Don’t We Practice What We Preach? A…, 77 (#exemplifies, via linked claim)

No doubt Muslims and Christians, when they did live side by side, normally refrained from discussing religion, as happens now; and, as happens now, each side may have retained a number of false ideas of the other in consequence. — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 2423 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Publicly audible prayer symbolises communal unity and provokes rivals when co-located; Religious disputations resolved nothing but each side claimed victory; Coexistent religious communities avoid religious discussion and hold false views of each other — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 2423 (+9 more)

Broader Connections

• Religious group solidarity organizes others into outgroups by identity #exemplifies (1.00) — Deborah L. Hall and David C. Matz and Wendy Wood, Why Don’t We Practice What We Preach? A…, 77
• Coexistent religious communities avoid religious discussion and hold false views of each other #complicates (0.90) — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 2423
• Atheism is perceived as a public threat to cooperation, not a private belief #complicates (0.90)
• Religion persists because it supplies collective identity, not just beliefs #complicates (0.80) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 889
• Polemic against a rival religion protected embattled minorities from doubt #complicates (0.80) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 157
• Religious members selectively adopt beliefs, keeping distinction within belonging #complicates (0.70) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 917