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 | Why Are Millennials Leaving the Church?
[04.26.2012]In this week’s installment of “Figuring Faith,” Dr. Robert P. Jones explores the high levels of religious disaffiliation among younger Millennials (age 18-24). The 2012 Millennial Values survey showed that significant numbers of Millennials are leaving their childhood religions to identify as religiously unaffiliated, a shift that has profound implications for clergy and churches. There are also clues to some of the factors that may be driving the movement away… more
Figuring Faith | What Are Jewish Values?
[04.04.2012]In this week’s column for “Figuring Faith,” Dr. Robert P. Jones considers the values associated with Passover, a ritual feast that commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the Israelites were emancipated from slavery in ancient Egypt. These values, he explains, include a strong commitment to social justice, which remains a fundamental component of American Jews’ political activities and identity: This Friday night after sundown, as they move through… more
Figuring Faith | For Most Americans, Religious Liberty Important But Not Absolute
[03.21.2012]In this week’s column for “Figuring Faith,” Dr. Robert P. Jones uses recent PRRI polling to tackle the question of whether Americans believe their religious liberty is under siege. Examining public opinion about recent White House regulations which require religiously affiliated organizations to provide insurance plans with no-cost birth control to their employees, as well as the ongoing debate about whether religiously affiliated adoption agencies should be permitted to refuse… more
Figuring Faith | The State of Anti-Shari’a Bills
[03.01.2012]The number of mosques in the United States has doubled in the past decade, according to a new study – and the number of Muslim clergy who say that America is hostile to Islam has declined over the same period. One of the perennial friction points for Muslims in America has been some Americans’ anxiety about the possibility of the implementation of Islamic law in U.S. courtrooms, resulting in the… more
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