A Study of Faith Development and Attitudes Toward Same Sex Relationships

This study looked at the relationships between faith development, religious affiliation and attitudes toward same sexal relationships. The hypothisis was that individuals that were further along in faith development, as defined by James Fowler, (Fowler, 1981) would be more likely to be more accepting of same sex relationships and that religious afiliation had an important role in these attitudes as well.

Twenty respondants from four different congregations in the Asheville area completed the survey. Respondants from the congregation what would be called Mythic-Literal Faith, stage 2 of Fowlfer's stages, were all very opposed to same sex relationships while those responants from congregations in which the members showed signs of Stages 4,5 or 6 were more supportive of rights for same sex relationships.

Results and Discussion

Appendix including questions asked and summary of answers.

References