The Impacts of Religion On Human Flourishing
“Participation in religious services is associated with numerous aspects of human flourishing, including happiness and life satisfaction, mental and physical health, meaning and purpose, character and virtue, and close social relationships.”
-BYU Wheatley Institute
Decades of research demonstrate how religious freedom strengthens society.
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Below are some of the categories researchers have studied:
Marriage & Family
Religious practice in the home is strongly associated with greater marital happiness, higher marital stability, and a stronger commitment to marriage.
Social Cohesion
Religious involvement strengthens social cohesion by increasing happiness, purpose, civic participation, and community engagement across cultures worldwide.
Crime & Flourishing
Religious involvement strengthens social cohesion by increasing happiness, purpose, civic participation, and community engagement across cultures worldwide.
Peacemaking
Religious individuals are especially well positioned to engage in peacemaking through values of reconciliation, moral responsibility, and cooperation.
Health & Longevity
Regular participation in religious services is associated with lower risks of mortality, depression, smoking, and heavy drinking, contributing to longer life expectancy.
Economic Impact
Religious institutions contribute over $1.2 trillion annually to the U.S. economy, while declines in religious freedom globally are linked to slower economic growth.
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