Abrahamic Family or Start-Up Nation?: Effects of Representations of Shared Tradition, Shared Innovation, and Universalistic Tolerance on Common Identity and Prejudice Reduction

Just as Israel brands itself as a progressive "Start-Up nation", Israeli citizens increasingly identify as religious. Religion plays an increasing role in inter-group tensions in Israel. Negative effects of religion and its public representations on intergroup attitudes are well researched, but little is known of its positive effects. We ask whether religion can also play a role in improving intergroup attitudes. This study explores the effects of three different public and media representations of shared identity and tolerance on inter-religious prejudice among Israeli Muslim adolescents and young adults. The interventions included an inter-faith similarities-based common in-group identity (focusing on shared aspects of Judaism and Islam), a modern national universalistic approach (focusing on religious tolerance), and a modern academic technological identity (highlighting Israel as a "Start-Up Nation"). Findings indicate that the inter-faith similarities-based intervention had the most substantial impact in reducing prejudice, specifically by decreasing stereotypes and increasing willingness for social encounters. In contrast, the national universalistic and technological identity interventions were less effective, and in some cases even increased perceived threat or failed to mitigate stereotypes. These findings highlight the potential for leveraging inter-faith commonalities as a foundation for intergroup prejudice reduction.