I care not much for a man’s religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.

Character shows most clearly where there is nothing to gain. A creature in your house cannot repay you, cannot report you, and cannot be impressed by your reasoning, so how you treat it is close to a direct reading of what you are like when no argument is running. The same test works for anyone who has no hold over you. Fine sentiments that stop at the edge of your own household are not really beliefs yet.

Watch yourself this week with whoever depends on you and cannot object. Let that be the measure, rather than what you say you value.