The religious-belief explanation for intergroup violence remains scientifically untested.

Evidence

In contrast to the social solidarity hypothesis discussed earlier, this general class of explanation can be called the religious belief hypothesis of intergroup violence—that something about religious belief itself causes intergroup hostility. No doubt religions contain all of these things. But are these beliefs the actual cause? Maybe, but much of this debate has been polemical. Scientific study of this link has been sorely lacking. Does something in religion contribute to suicide attacks, and if so, what and how? — Norenzayan, Ara, Big gods - how religion transformed…, 532

Categorization

• DEFINE: Introduces and defines the ‘religious belief hypothesis’ as distinct from the social solidarity hypothesis of intergroup violence.