Unveiling Religious Tolerance among Indonesian Christian Youth: How Do Personality Traits and Intrinsic Religiosity Orientation Matter?

In a pluralistic religious society, fostering religious tolerance is crucial for promoting understanding and respecting differing perspectives. Various personal factors that influence religious tolerance include religious orientation and personality type. This study examined the relationship between intrinsic religiosity orientation, personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, intellect, and emotional stability), and religious tolerance among Christian students toward their Muslim peers. Using a cross-sectional survey design with quota-accidental sampling techniques, 402 Christian students, aged 18–24, and enrolled in Christian-affiliated, public, and multicultural universities in Surabaya, participated in this study. Data collection utilized three scales: the Religious Orientation Scale, Religious Tolerance Scale, and IPIP-BFM-25. Through multiple linear regression analysis, the study demonstrates that both intrinsic religiosity orientation and personality traits significantly influence religious tolerance [ F (6,401) = 68.140, Adj. R ²  = .501, p  < .001]. Partial analysis indicates that both intrinsic religiosity orientation and certain personality traits, including extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, exert a significant influence on religious tolerance. In contrast, personality traits linked to intellect and emotional stability demonstrate no significant correlation. These insights provide valuable guidance for fostering religious harmony within diverse societies.