Our Fractured Republic, Religious and Political Divides, and the Role of Pluralism

In recent years, growing concern has been expressed about American society’s increased polarization: socially, economically, racially, religiously, and politically. A turbulent shift in social mores has exposed deep disagreement over our fundamental values. Our political leaders have been challenged by groups who feel disenfranchised from the American dream or believe that injustice in our country has reached intolerable levels. College campuses have been the site of intense confrontations over free speech, freedom of assembly, and access to the public forum.

Co-sponsored by The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies, with funding from the John Templeton Foundation, and the Religious Freedom Center of the Newseum Institute, this program features a group of distinguished scholars and writers who will discuss these problems and the role pluralism can play in bridging divides.

The program will begin with a brief keynote address by John D. Inazu, the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion and Professor of Political Science at Washington University in St. Louis, whose recently published book, “Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving Through Deep Difference,” explores the ways that Americans can — and must — live together peaceably despite deeply engrained differences. A robust panel discussion will follow, with an opportunity for audience Q-and-A.

Panelists:

• Mr. Garnette Cadogan is a Visiting Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture and a Visiting Scholar at New York University’s Institute for Public Knowledge.
• Dr. Charles C. Haynes is Vice President of the Newseum Institute and Founding Director of the Religious Freedom Center.
• Prof. John D. Inazu is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law & Religion and Professor of Political Science at Washington University in St. Louis.
• Dr. Yuval Levin is the editor of National Affairs and the Hertog Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.
• Prof. Brett McDonnell is the Dorsey & Whitney Chair in Law at the University of Minnesota Law School.
• Ms. Meira Neggaz is the Executive Director of the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding.

In recent years, growing concern has been expressed about American society’s increased polarization: socially, economically, racially, religiously, and politically. A turbulent shift in social mores has exposed deep disagreement over our fundamental values. Our political leaders have been challenged by groups who feel disenfranchised from the American dream or believe that injustice in our country has reached intolerable levels. College campuses have been the site of intense confrontations over free speech, freedom of assembly, and access to the public forum.

Co-sponsored by The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies, with funding from the John Templeton Foundation, and the Religious Freedom Center of the Newseum Institute, this program features a group of distinguished scholars and writers who will discuss these problems and the role pluralism can play in bridging divides.

The program will begin with a brief keynote address by John D. Inazu, the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion and Professor of Political Science at Washington University in St. Louis, whose recently published book, “Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving Through Deep Difference,” explores the ways that Americans can — and must — live together peaceably despite deeply engrained differences. A robust panel discussion will follow, with an opportunity for audience Q-and-A.

Panelists:

• Mr. Garnette Cadogan is a Visiting Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture and a Visiting Scholar at New York University’s Institute for Public Knowledge.
• Dr. Charles C. Haynes is Vice President of the Newseum Institute and Founding Director of the Religious Freedom Center.
• Prof. John D. Inazu is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law & Religion and Professor of Political Science at Washington University in St. Louis.
• Dr. Yuval Levin is the editor of National Affairs and the Hertog Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.
• Prof. Brett McDonnell is the Dorsey & Whitney Chair in Law at the University of Minnesota Law School.
• Ms. Meira Neggaz is the Executive Director of the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding.

To register for this event, which is free and open to the public, please follow the RSVP instructions found here on the Newseum website.