The existential implications of individual differences in religious defensive and growth orientations: fundamentalism, quest religiosity, and intrinsic/extrinsic religiosity

Religion provides solutions for basic existential concerns that have the potential to arouse fear and anxiety and undermine psychological health. However, many aspects of religion cannot be objectively verified and are frequently challenged, and therefore religiosity involves maintaining faith and commitment. Research indicates that religious individuals vary in their approach to maintaining faith and commitment. Specifically, variation in religious orientation appears to exist along a continuum where one end is characterized by a strict and intolerant fundamentalist approach, the opposite extreme is characterized by a flexible and tolerant approach, and the center is characterized by a secure and genuine internalization of religious values. In this chapter, we review research suggesting that these religious orientations impact whether religious believers use religion to manage existential threat in a defensive or growth-oriented manner. Moreover, we discuss the implications of these religious orientations for existential well-being and intergroup attitudes.