In an age of increasing polarization and declining civic engagement, the relationship between religious faith and social justice has become a subject of intense debate. Some view faith as a private matter disconnected from public life, while others see it as an essential foundation for building just societies. But what does the evidence actually tell us about this connection?

This article examines whether faith leads to the social virtue of justice—not through abstract theological arguments alone, but by looking at concrete manifestations of civic participation. Drawing on both classical political philosophy and contemporary social science research, we’ll explore how religious practice translates into measurable social outcomes, particularly in the realm of democratic participation.

The answer, as we’ll see, has profound implications for how we understand the role of faith communities in public life and their contribution to the common good. Whether you approach this question from a position of faith, skepticism, or somewhere in between, the empirical evidence offers surprising insights into one of society’s most enduring questions.

Does Faith Lead To Justice?

Does faith lead to the social virtue of justice? Yes, “faith is the sole foundation and prop of that justice on which all commonwealths, alliances, and associations of men whatsoever, is founded”, as said by Jean Bodin. Justice, in faith, regards God as the sovereign. The sovereign is the authority, or law maker, to which a member of a society yields in order to gain his liberty. Liberty is one’s freedom of physical action within the limits of the law prescribed by the sovereign – in this case, the law of God. The administration of the law of God is called His justice. Therefore, we can safely say that, yes, faith does lead to the social virtue of justice.

In this corporeal world, justice is the administration of law. As voting is one’s direct action in the lawmaking process, let’s consider the correlation between voting and faith:

According to Gerber, Gruber, and Hungerman, regular church attendance is strongly associated with a higher probability of voting. They state, “There are strong correlations between the degree of religious observance and a wide variety of pro-social behaviors” and “there is a well-known positive association between attending religious services and political participation; those reporting regular church attendance are much more likely to vote.” When controlling for socioeconomic characteristics, age, gender, and political conditions, “those who report attending church weekly are between 10 and 15 percentage points more likely to vote, a difference roughly equal to the gap in turnout between a presidential and midterm election,” Gerber, Gruber, and Hungerman determine.

Further, according to a study, “the percentage of practicing Christians who failed to vote in the 2016 presidential election [was] significantly less than for the general voting-eligible public, although this effect varie[d] across each of the four major racial groups”. See below a modified version of the study’s Figure 1 reflecting the statement above.

Yes, faith does lead to justice.

Final Thoughts

The connection between faith and justice extends beyond theological concepts into measurable social impact. As we’ve seen through empirical data, those who actively practice their faith demonstrate higher civic engagement—a fundamental component of justice in democratic societies. This isn’t merely correlation; it reflects a deeper truth about how spiritual conviction translates into social responsibility.

When faith grounds our understanding of justice in something transcendent, it provides both the moral framework and the motivation for active participation in creating a more just society. The act of voting, while just one expression of civic duty, serves as a tangible measure of how faith communities contribute to the broader pursuit of justice.

Perhaps most significantly, this relationship suggests that nurturing faith communities isn’t just a private good but a public one. In an era of declining civic participation and social fragmentation, the role of faith in fostering justice becomes ever more vital. The question isn’t whether faith leads to justice—the evidence clearly shows it does—but rather how we can better harness this connection to build more just and engaged communities.

As we move forward, let us recognize that faith and justice aren’t competing values but complementary forces, each strengthening the other in the ongoing work of building a better society.

Thanks for reading!