Figuring Faith
Dr. Robert P. Jones is a member of the Washington Post’s On Faith blogging network, an independent network of experts and activists providing commentary and analysis of religion. At his blog, Figuring Faith, Dr. Jones analyzes findings from Public Religion Research Institute and aggregates polling data on religion, values, and politics from a variety of sources. Check in each week as he connects politics with the pews, helping readers understand how public sentiment on religion and politics will shape 2012 and beyond.
Figuring Faith | Rick Santorum: The Evangelical’s Catholic Candidate?
[01.10.2012]Today, New Hampshire primary voters are heading to the polls, but many politicos are already looking forward to the South Carolina primary, where religion will play a much greater role in determining voters’ choices. In this week’s post for “Figuring Faith,” Dr. Robert P. Jones illuminates why Rick Santorum, a Catholic, is actually a more apt ally for white evangelical Protestants. To learn more about where Santorum stands on hot-button… more
Figuring Faith | Faith vs. Works: Can Gingrich Win the Evangelical Vote?
[12.02.2011]Could Newt Gingrich could be poised to convince evangelical leaders that a thrice-divorced, admittedly unfaithful recent convert to Catholicism could be the best standard-bearer for family values in the 2012 election?. In his latest column for “Figuring Faith,” Dr. Robert P. Jones parses the data and concludes that although the numbers don’t forecast an easy road for Gingrich as the Republican primary progresses, it’s not unthinkable – especially given some… more
Figuring Faith | Romney’s Mormonism a Tough Sell for Millennials
[11.14.2011]In a piece for his blog at the Washington Post, “Figuring Faith,” Dr. Robert P. Jones tackles Romney’s other “M” problem: Millennials. According to PRRI’s 2011 American Values Survey, although Millennials are more comfortable than most with the idea of an atheist or Muslim president, a majority say they would be uncomfortable with a Mormon president. This could spell bad news for Romney if he makes it to the general… more
Figuring Faith: “The Secret Ingredient in Herman Cain’s Success”
[10.28.2011]How did Herman Cain jump from third-tier candidate to serious contender in a matter of weeks? Now that he’s jostling Mitt Romney for frontrunner status in the GOP primary, Dr. Robert P. Jones has some insightful analysis on just why Cain is so popular, particularly among white evangelical Protestants. Turns out it may have less to do with Cain’s excellence as a candidate, and more about his rivals’ failings. A… more
Figuring Faith: “Why Pat Robertson’s ‘Endorsement’ of Mitt Romney Matters”
[10.06.2011]This weekend, Mitt Romney will be speaking at the Values Voter Summit, to an audience that likely cares deeply about the religious convictions of their future presidential nominee. Previous research from PRRI has shown that Americans perceive Romney’s religion to be very different from their own, and that many don’t even believe that Mormonism is a Christian religion. How will Romney fare this weekend? Well, according to Dr. Robert P…. more
Figuring Faith | Rick Perry and the Perils of Sectarian Religion in 2012
[09.23.2011]In a new post for his blog at the Washington Post On Faith, our CEO Dr. Robert P. Jones explores the challenges that Rick Perry may bump up against if he continues in the vein of his recent speech at Liberty University: To outside observers, Perry’s course may seem strange for someone who is making the case that he should be the next president of the most influential nation in… more
Figuring Faith | Like Rick Perry, Most “Pro-life” Americans OK With Death Penalty
[09.15.2011]In the wake of the two latest Republican primary debates, Rick Perry’s unwavering support for the death penalty in Texas is sparking allegations that this policy doesn’t jive with his “pro-life” ethic. Our CEO, Dr. Robert P. Jones, takes on the question in this week’s “Figuring Faith” for the Washington Post On Faith. He explains that many Americans – and most Republicans – also believe that pro-life and pro-death penalty… more
Figuring Faith | The Double Standard on Religious Violence
[09.10.2011]If you followed media coverage of the horrible shooting in Norway this summer, you probably ran across the controversy over whether violence committed in the name of religion was interpreted differently if the perpetrator self-identified as a Muslim or a Christian. That’s a mouthful, but read on: we have data to prove that there is indeed a double standard on religious violence, which our CEO Dr. Robert P. Jones explains… more