Exploring Trends in Spiritual Diversity and Student Perceptions at Penn State
This content delves into the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development at Penn State, highlighting services, programs, and outlooks on religion and spirituality among students. It discusses the significance of separation of church and state, the impact of spiritual involvement on student life, evolving trends in participation in organized religion, and insights from the IDEALS Survey on religious and spiritual attitudes. Additionally, it touches on student perspectives on positive societal contributions, ethics, and interfaith collaboration.
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Presentation Transcript
Bob Smith Director Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development
Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development (CSED) More than 60 RSO s Services Programs and events Weddings Memorial services Advocacy Collaboration Odds and ends Holiday calendar
Is There Someone There I Can Talk To? Pastoral counseling CSED staff Most common: Looking for a group I m converting and don t know how to tell my parents Mental health issues: CAPS We care!
How Do You Get Away With This? With what? Separation of church and state No money from the university Not establishing religion No mandatory attendance No preferential treatment Not interfering with the practice of religion
Does It Matter? Higher satisfaction Higher retention Lower risk of alcohol abuse Greater sense of community More resources Less likely to be sent to the Office of Student Conduct
Trends Participation in organized religion decreasing Participation in spiritual practices increasing Islam by 2050 is projected to be the largest religion Atheism/Agnosticism increasing At Penn State there has been growth in two religions: Islam and Latter Day Saints (Mormons) Trump presidency Executive orders, Islamophobia, antisemitism
IDEALS Survey Institutional Diversity Experiences & Attitudes Longitudinal Study Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) Religious & spiritual 39.0% Religious, not spiritual 15.7% Spiritual, not religious 22.5% Neither 22.8%
What Do Our Students Think? Positive contributions to society: Buddhists the most and Mormons the least Ethical: Buddhists highest and Atheists lowest Things in common with: Jews highest, Mormons lowest World can overcome problems if religions work together: 82.68%
You May Want To Know Muslims safe on campus but see media bias Antisemitism Suspicion especially of evangelical Christians Pagan/Wiccan not devil worship But, they re a religious group Don t be afraid to ask Celebrate don t hide Just show you care take an interest!
Questions Contact: rhs13@psu.eduor 814-865-6548
