In litigation, one of the biggest unstated principles is whether the plaintiff or defendant is trustworthy. In other words, are they credible. Well a new study revealed some interesting news about whether religion affects the trustworthiness of a person.
According to a new study conducted at the University of British Columbia, distrust is key factor why religious people dislike atheists. In cultures where there is a religious majority, “atheists are among the least trusted people,” says lead author Will Gervais, a doctoral student in UBC’s Dept. of Psychology. The study, entitled Do You Believe in Atheists? Distrust is Central to Anti-Atheist Prejudice, evaluated 350 American adults and nearly 420 university students in Canada, posing a number of hypothetical questions and scenarios to the groups. In one study, participants found a description of an untrustworthy person to be more representative of atheists than any other group except for rapists.
The researchers concluded that religious believer’s distrust — rather than dislike or disgust — was the central motivator of prejudice against atheists, adding that these studies offer important clues on how to combat this prejudice.
The implication for such research has interesting consequences in litigation. First, Would the religious status of a participant or witness affect the credibility of such person in the eyes of a religious lawyer, adjustor, or judge? Second, how would a jury react if they found out that a person was an atheist?
The other issue is that there are many factors that affect credibility and trustworthiness. Many of those factors have nothing to do with the competency of the person or the merits of the case. Nevertheless, they are real and must be considered in evaluating cases and whether they should go to trial.
By,
Steven G. Mehta
3 comments
Comments feed for this article
December 1, 2011 at 2:54 pm
legalreformactivist
I think this is a fascinating issue. Here in Nevada, we have a preponderance of federal and state judges (and others in authority) who are members of the mormon church. I have often felt that the church is more a political action committee and has been since it’s inception (I read a lot about that group for that reason; the best is Mormon America).
With 2 presidential candidates being mormon, even though they are only 1.5% of the population and emphasizing higher education so as to be excellent on paper and able to get into many levels of government work (keyword mormon and FBI, and you will see that the FBI admitted preferential hiring practices to members of that church in litigation), there is much to be said abou this topic.
I have worked to bring this to the attention in lots of ways, but it is easy to dismiss a person as a conspiracy theorist. I can understand how Muslim became a government AND a religion, thus precluding any other options. The mormons are doing the same thing, I believe, while appearing wholesome on the surface. A study published in the New York Times about which states are “most” mentally ill, it was also, with the exception of Delaware, those states where the mormons were most active in government. Scary stuff, in its’ way.
I read a study that showed how the bottom line is that people are more comfortable being around others of the same beliefs. It’s their comfort zone. Being around others whom they cannot “pin down” or “put in a box” causes them undue anxiety. Group think vs. mob mentality.
I could go on, but won’t. But once again, I find your blog very interesting.
December 2, 2011 at 2:47 pm
Random Ntrygg
that plus there’s so many myths about what an atheist is that have nothing to do with what it actually is.
non-belief in deities
people who can’t understand that humans are capable of being, understanding and making distinctions about morality and instead assert that morals are a set of behavior rules handed down from on high that must be complied with – will never accept that those of us who do understand morality are far more moral in our actual behavior than believers.
especially when they cling to such a shallow understanding – most of the commandment are about worshipping various authorities, without any ability of a person to question if that authority is deserving of such consideration
December 7, 2011 at 10:27 pm
stevemehta
thanks for the comments. I know, we aren’t supposed to talk about certain topics, but I thought that this non discussed topic needed to be discussed. thanks again for your thoughts.