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Full-Text Articles in Social Psychology
Religion, Social Connectedness, And Xenophobic Responses To Ebola, Roxie Chuang, Kimin Eom, Heejung S. Kim
Religion, Social Connectedness, And Xenophobic Responses To Ebola, Roxie Chuang, Kimin Eom, Heejung S. Kim
Research Collection School of Social Sciences
This study examined the role of religion in xenophobic responses to the threat of Ebola. Religious communities often offer members strong social ties and social support, which may help members cope with psychological and physical threat, including global threats like Ebola. Our analysis of a nationally representative sample in the U.S. (N = 1,000) found that overall, the more vulnerable to Ebola people felt, the more they exhibited xenophobic responses, but this relationship was moderated by importance of religion. Those who perceived religion as more important in their lives exhibited weaker xenophobic reactions than those who perceived religion as less …
Sport As The “Opiate Of The Masses”: College Football In The American South, Eric Bain-Selbo
Sport As The “Opiate Of The Masses”: College Football In The American South, Eric Bain-Selbo
Philosophy & Religion Faculty Publications
Karl Marx famously describes religion as the “opiate of the masses.” Marx argues that religion is an ideological tool that legitimates and defends the interests of the dominant, wealthy classes in the population. It does so in part by placating the poor and exploited classes. Faced with an arduous and seemingly unjust life in this world, the poor and exploited at least can look forward to a more perfect existence in the afterlife. To reach that afterlife, however, one must peacefully and quietly persevere through life’s tribulation—respecting the life, liberty, and (especially) private property of others. In this way, religion …