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Welcome to Wheatley Institute

Learn more about our mission and who we are.
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Religious Freedom Annual Review

Religion, Peace, and Human Flourishing: Understanding the Whys of Religious Freedom
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Strengthening society through research-supported work that fortifies the core institutions of family, religion, and constitutional government.

INITIATIVES

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Who’s Really Going to Church? Evidence From Cellphone Tracking Data

October 11, 2024 10:39 AM
Wheatley Institute and the BYU Economics department were pleased to hear from Dr. Devin Pope, an Associate Professor of Behavioral Science and Economics at the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago. Dr. Pope used cellphone data to explore the frequency, regularity, and correlates with religious worship in America across geographies and religious traditions.
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Why America Went Crazy and How You Can Stay Sane

October 03, 2024 03:35 PM
Wheatley Institute helped to host David French, author and columnist for the New York Times, as a speaker at Brigham Young University's campus forum, where he addressed increased political division and hatred in the United States.
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Giving All Our Heart to Christ

October 03, 2024 03:33 PM
Distinguished Wheatley fellow of religion, Shima Baughman, gave a devotional at Brigham Young University comparing the power of faith in Jesus Christ to the power of our own biological hearts, especially emphasizing the importance of temple covenants.
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What is uniquely special about America?

June 24, 2025 01:10 PM
In his recent Deseret News op-ed, Wheatley Institute Fellow Jeremy Pope explores what truly sets America apart—not its power, but its founding principles. He argues that the nation's exceptionalism lies in the revolutionary ideals of liberty, equality, and self-government articulated between 1765 and 1800. At a time when political rhetoric can obscure these foundations, his piece is a timely reminder of the enduring value of America’s constitutional commitments.
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State May Not Discriminate Among Faiths in Determining What Activity Counts as Religious

June 11, 2025 01:05 PM
Wheatley Constitutional Government Initiative Director James C. Philips contributed an article to the Federalist Society about a recent Supreme Court case regarding the tax-exempt status of Catholic charities in Wisconsin.
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Wheatley Fellow Jeff Flake Reflects on America’s Foreign Policy Responsibilities

May 29, 2025 11:05 AM
In his latest opinion piece for The Washington Post, Wheatley Fellow and former U.S. Senator Jeff Flake reflects on the importance of congressional leadership in shaping American foreign policy. He underscores the need for principled engagement on the global stage and calls on lawmakers to uphold the values that have long guided U.S. diplomacy.
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