2.2.4. Religion
Religion greatly influences individual values and attitudes. Bezalel ([33], p. 1) argues that the nature of religious belief is important in understanding the epistemological foundations of worldviews that support conspiracy theories amidst what may be called conspiratorial ambiguity. Douglas et al. [10] and Frank et al. [34] explain that cognitive processes that are linked to conspiracy beliefs are connected to the acceptance of quasi-religious mentalities.
Both religion type and religiosity affect beliefs in conspiracy theories. Religiosity is the depth of faith in religion. Higher religiosity can be associated with greater beliefs in conspiracy theories because religions and conspiracy theories share certain elements, including paranormal activity, esotericism, millennialism, and prophecy [35]. Various interpretations are possible for the relationship between religious beliefs and conspiracy theory beliefs. For example, according to Jasinskaja-Lahti and Jetten [36], there is not difference of the belief in conspiracy theories between believers and non-believers. In other hand, they reported that the extent to which religious worldviews were endorsed predicted belief in conspiracy theories; not self-categorization as religious, but strong attachment to religion among believers was directly related with higher belief in conspiracy theories. Why strong attachment brings out more belief in conspiracy theory. Jasinskaja-Lahti and Jetten [36] explained this by the mediated role of higher anti-intellectualism which strong religious believers have. Individuals who show more orientation in scientifically sceptical attitude are more sensitive on find out logical fallacies presented in conspiracy theories [37]. Other studies reported that there is closely link between religiosity and stronger conservatism and traditionalism [38], and higher political conservatism [39]. Those conservatism induces more belief in conspiracy theories. Van der Linden et al. [40] showed that extreme conservatives were significantly more likely to engage in conspiratorial thinking than extreme liberals. Hart and Graether [29] show that believers in conspiracies tend to be more religious. In contrast, Jasinskaja-Lahti and Jetten [36] show that religious believers and non-believers do not differ in terms of beliefs in conspiracy theories.
Beliefs in conspiracies vary with the type of religion. For example, Marchlewska et al. [41] demonstrate that Catholic collective narcissism predicts not only outgroup hostility but also gender conspiracy beliefs. It is worth noting that the opinion on Catholics cannot apply to all Christians. Relevant [42] explains that Christians should forgo the temptation to look toward conspiracy theories to feel more secure or in control.
Hypothesis 4 (H4-1).   Religiosity is positively associated with beliefs in conspiracy theories.
Hypothesis 4 (H4-2).   Different types of religions have different impacts on beliefs in conspiracy theories.