Distinguished Wheatley Fellow Kevin J. Worthen gave a devotional address at BYU-Idaho about disciple-scholars and their unique responsibility to uphold the Constitution.
On December 3, Wheatley Institute joined the National Institute for Civil Discourse for an inspiring event at Temple Emanuel in Denver. Speakers included Democratic Colorado Governor Jared Polis, former Republican Colorado Governor Bill Owens, and Paul Edwards, director of Wheatley Institute.
While 84% of the world’s population still affiliates with a faith of some sort, there are clear indicators that people in the United States and elsewhere are abandoning religion. This shift toward secularization may have significant social and psychological consequences, because religion is often linked to better mental health, stronger social ties, and increased rates of marriage and childbearing. This report examines who and how many are leaving religion, which faiths are most affected by disaffiliation, individual and social consequences of a decline in religiosity, and factors increasing the likelihood of returning to faith.
A Washington Times uses Wheatley Institute research as a source in an article that discusses how liberals have become more dissatisfied than those who lean conservative. They cite Wheatley's research on how a person's happiness is directly related to family and religion.
In the final session of the 2023 Religious Freedom Annual Review, a conference co-sponsored by Wheatley Institute and BYU Law's International Center for Law and Religion Studies, Elder Clark G. Gilbert of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke on the need for people to be good stewards of religion. His remarks encapsulated the general theme of the event, focusing on the need for all to be courageous in their religiosity. Deseret News and Church News both covered this session.
The "Inside Sources" podcast had three guest speakers: Jonathan Rauch, Anne Snyder, and Russell Moore; that discussed various topics regarding religion, politics, and society. Each person's commentary helped set the stage for their participation in the June 15, 2023 Religious Freedom Annual Review, hosted by Wheatley Institute and the International Center for Law and Religion Studies.