Tobin Grant
@TobinGrant blogs for Religion News Service at Corner of Church and State, a data-driven conversation on religion and politics. He is a political science professor at Southern Illinois University and associate editor of the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion.
All Stories by Tobin Grant
Politics of American churches & religions in one graph
By Tobin Grant — August 27, 2014
The ideologies of America's religious groups in one graph. Cool, right?
Religious liberty coalitions shift – Obama backs Becket Fund’s client, previous allies go mute
By Tobin Grant — August 25, 2014
Religious freedom advocacy in the United States is often a quirky, complicated enterprise. Groups who are combatants one day may be allies the next.
Is it legal for political candidates to speak at a church? Five rules churches must follow
By Tobin Grant — August 22, 2014
Anyone may speak at to a church. But if the person's candidacy or the election is discussed, then the church must remain non-partisan and fair to all of the other candidates in the race.
Ten plagues puppets for Passover (yes, even the dead eldest brother)
By Tobin Grant — August 20, 2014
I'm guessing my brothers would have fought over the dead eldest brother while I threatened to turn them into a river of blood.
Right to grow a beard? SCOTUS grants very rare approval to hear a prisoner’s case
By Tobin Grant — August 19, 2014
The Supreme Court is set to take on a hair-razing case of a Muslim prisoner in Arkansas who wants to grow a beard.
Four evangelical responses to gay rights — they’ve changed a lot since ’69
By Tobin Grant — August 15, 2014
Evangelicals aren't monolithic on issues of sexuality and LGBT rights.
Is suicide always wrong? Your opinion is probably shaped by your view of faith and science
By Tobin Grant — August 13, 2014
Nearly half of Americans believe suicide is never justifiable. How people balance faith and science shapes whether they see suicide as a sin or a symptom of a disease.
What is Obama’s religion? Your answer shapes how you view the “war on whites”
By Tobin Grant — August 11, 2014
If you think President Obama is a Muslim, then you probably also believe that the White House favors blacks over whites.
War on Whites? Republicans see it, Democrats don’t according to poll
By Tobin Grant — August 10, 2014
Congressman Mo Brooks' "war on whites" comments may seem extreme to Democrats, but to many, many Republicans the label fits.
The Great Decline: 61 years of religiosity in one graph, 2013 hits a new low
By Tobin Grant — August 5, 2014
The Great Decline continues: 2013 had the lowest level of religiosity of any year we can measure.
Graphs: 5 signs of the ‘Great Decline’ of religion in America
By Tobin Grant — August 1, 2014
Five graphs. One conclusion: We're in the midst of the Great Decline of religion.
Bendable, poseable Jesus! (for ages 3+, choking hazard)
By Tobin Grant — July 30, 2014
An analogy for religion, plastic-wrapped and ready to buy.
50 years of public opinion toward Protestants, Catholics, and Jews, (the second graph is the most important)
By Tobin Grant — July 25, 2014
Taking the long view: Feelings toward Protestants, Catholics and Jews have equalized over time.
Breakthrough for Alex Sodiqov: Free from detention but unable to return to Canada #FreeAlexSodiqov
By Tobin Grant — July 24, 2014
#FreeAlexSodiqov campaign finally has some good news: The doctoral student is released and reunited with his wife and child.
Atheists disliked more than Congress — that’s as low as it gets in public opinion
By Tobin Grant — July 21, 2014
Atheists may now replace Congress as the least-liked group in American public opinion.
