MJAAR

Religion and Human Essence: A Critical Examination of the "Dehumanization" Thesis in Christian Contexts

Asiimwe Isaac Kazaara, Musiimenta Nancy


Abstract

This study conducted a critical quantitative examination of the "dehumanization" thesis as it applies to Christian religious contexts, investigating the extent to which doctrinal rigidity, religious participation patterns, and institutional belonging either diminish or affirm human dignity among practicing Christians. Drawing on survey data collected from 412 adult Christian respondents across five denominations in Uganda, the study employed univariate descriptive analysis, bivariate Pearson correlation analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to interrogate complex relationships among perceived dehumanization, human dignity affirmation, doctrinal rigidity, communal belonging, and spiritual well-being. Results revealed that doctrinal rigidity was the strongest predictor of perceived dehumanization experiences (β = .54, p < .001), while active religious participation (β = −.31, p < .001), human dignity affirmation (β = −.47, p < .001), and communal belonging exerted significant protective effects. The SEM measurement model demonstrated excellent fit (CFI = .967, RMSEA = .026), and the structural model accounted for 61% of variance in dehumanization experience. These findings partially supported the dehumanization thesis but revealed its conditional nature: Christianity's tendency to diminish or affirm human essence was found to be highly dependent on the theological orientation, participatory culture, and relational quality of specific congregational contexts. The study recommended targeted theological education, denomination-level dignity policies, and pastoral restructuring to mitigate dehumanization risks embedded in rigid doctrinal frameworks.

Keywords

Dehumanization Christian contexts human dignity doctrinal rigidity structural equation modeling religious participation Uganda
Metropolitan Journal of Academic and Applied Research

Cite This Article

Asiimwe Isaac Kazaara & Musiimenta Nancy (2026). Religion and Human Essence: A Critical Examination of the "Dehumanization" Thesis in Christian Contexts. Metropolitan Journal of Academic and Applied Research, 5(3). https://journals.miu.ac.ug/pages/article.php?article_id=324

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