Formerly religious individuals exhibit the highest levels of left-wing authoritarianism

Formerly religious people display the greatest levels of left-wing authoritarianism compared to those who remain religious or have never practiced any faith, according to a recent study. Published in Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, the research reveals that rigid patterns of thinking can persist even when a person's worldview undergoes a complete transformation.

The study, conducted by psychologists Daryl R. Van Tongeren and Shauna M. Bowes, examines the phenomenon of religious residue, which suggests that religious habits, emotions, and thought patterns often linger even after a person stops identifying with a faith. To investigate this concept, the researchers surveyed 804 participants, dividing them into three groups: currently religious individuals, formerly religious individuals, and those who have never been religious.

The findings indicate that while former religious individuals no longer exhibit the right-wing authoritarian attitudes commonly associated with their former faith, they display significantly higher levels of left-wing authoritarianism than both groups. This shift in authoritarianism aligns with the idea of religious residue, where the underlying psychological style remains intact despite changes in the content of beliefs.

The study highlights the complex relationship between religion, political ideology, and authoritarianism, demonstrating that even after leaving religion, some individuals may retain rigid, authoritarian tendencies that manifest differently based on their new political leanings.