About the Book​

"The Metrics of Faith" introduces a groundbreaking approach to understanding religion's influence in American society. Moving beyond traditional measures, this book examines what religion helps people become through developing virtues like transcendence, temperance, justice, and humanity. Drawing on survey data from 2020-2024, it reveals that authentic religious development consistently predicts opposition to political violence, increased political tolerance, and stronger support for democratic norms. Published by Lynne Rienner Press (October 2025).​

The Religious Becoming Scale

Exploring virtues through validated psychological measures

Temperance

4 items

Self-control, moderation, and humility in thoughts and actions

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1 I find it hard to fully forgive someone who has done something mean to me. Source: HEXACO 100 Personality Inventory
2 When I succeed, I want others to know about it. Source: Values in Action
11 It is easy for me to resist temptations. Source: California Psychological Inventory
12 I am preoccupied with myself. Source: California Psychological Inventory

Humanity

4 items

Compassion, love, and care for others

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3 I have sympathy for people who are less fortunate than I am. Source: NEO Personality Inventory
4 I regularly stop to help others in need. Source: Values in Action
6 I try to be honest even when I could get away with cheating or stealing. Source: HEXACO 100 Personality Inventory
8 I feel love for all people. Source: Love of God

Justice

4 items

Fairness, equality, and ethical behavior

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5 It wouldn't bother me to harm someone I didn't like. Source: HEXACO 100 Personality Inventory
7 I deserve the credit for the good things that happen in my life. Source: Values in Action
13 I refuse to take credit for work I have not done. Source: Values in Action
14 I treat all people equally. Source: Values in Action

Transcendence

4 items

Connection to the divine and appreciation of beauty

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9 I feel that I am loved by some divine being or power. Source: Unique to this scale
10 I experience situations in which I have the feeling that I am touched by a divine power. Source: Unique to this scale
15 I experience awe at the beauty of nature. Source: Values in Action
16 I have a relationship with God, the Universe, or the Ultimate Transcendence. Source: Unique to this scale

Religion Across Generations​

Key Finding: While traditional measures show religious decline among youth, Religious Becoming scores remain consistent across generations, with Millennials sometimes scoring higher than Baby Boomers. This contradicts the narrative that younger Americans are less religious—they're simply practicing differently.



Implications: The apparent "secularization" of America may be a measurement error rather than actual religious decline. Religious communities focusing solely on declining attendance miss how younger generations cultivate transcendence, temperance, justice, and humanity through non-traditional spiritual paths.
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Religion and Political Tolerance​

Key Finding: Religious Becoming predicts political tolerance four times more powerfully than education—defying fifty years of research identifying education as tolerance's primary driver. This challenges the common assumption that increased secularization is necessary for greater tolerance.

​Implications: The widely accepted notion that education is the main path to political tolerance requires significant revision. Religious development that emphasizes character transformation may be more effective at fostering tolerance than secular education alone—a finding that upends conventional thinking about religion's relationship with democratic attitudes.

Religion and Political Division​

Key Finding: While traditional measures of religiosity often correlate with increased partisan hostility, Religious Becoming powerfully reduces political sectarianism. Religious Becoming counteracts political sectarianism as powerfully as partisan identity promotes it. Those scoring high in Religious Becoming are significantly less likely to view political opponents as morally corrupt enemies, helping bridge partisan divides.
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Implications: The seemingly contradictory findings about religion's role in polarization can be reconciled by distinguishing between different forms of religious expression. While religiously-infused political identity may exacerbate division, authentic character transformation through religious development counteracts it—challenging simplistic narratives about religion's political impact.
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Religion and Democratic Resilience​

Key Finding: Even as some religious groups express support for anti-democratic actions, individuals scoring high in Religious Becoming overwhelmingly reject political violence and strongly support democratic norms. This contradicts arguments that religious commitment inherently threatens democratic governance.
​Implications: The relationship between religion and democracy depends crucially on how religion is expressed and measured. While certain expressions of religious identity may align with authoritarian tendencies, authentic religious development fosters democratic virtues. This suggests promoting character transformation within religious contexts could strengthen rather than weaken democracy—contrary to secularization theories that posit religion as democracy's adversary.

The Evidence: Religious Becoming in American Society​