Current projects
The Center is currently working on four projects:
- A project to improve the religious literacy of reporters by strengthening journalistic coverage of religion in the United States;
- A project to improve the religious literacy of health researchers and professionals by exploring the relationship between religion, spirituality, and a variety of health-related fields, including adolescent health behaviors, neuroscience, physical health, mental health, chronic cognitive and physical disability and medical disorders;
- A project to improve the religious literacy of the professions by fostering discussion and scholarship on the relationship of ethics as applied to professionals;
- A project to improve the religious literacy of the public by sponsoring lectures and forums on issues related to religion and public life.
Past projects
The Center’s past work includes:
- Studies of how religion helps or hurts brain-damaged people cope
- Curriculum development for training journalists in religion
- Studies of professionals’ attitudes of religion
- Public forums on religion
- Small group discussions on ethics and the professions
- Creation of an online journal
- Sponsorship of fellows
- Scholarly presentations and publications
Future projects
The Center is developing a series of short courses for medical, nursing and health professionals to help them understand how clients’ religious beliefs and practices may come in conflict with traditional medical practices and ways to approach these situations. It also is planning significant research about how the public views religion news coverage.