Democracy and Religion

Thursday, April 21, 2022
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus
Alumni, Community, Faculty, Staff, Students

Nearly two hundred and fifty years after the founders broke from British rule during the American Revolution, Americans continue to use religion as a lens to view society. Yet, while the United States has never had a national religion, today, the predominantly Christian nation faces significant change in the religiosity of an increasingly diverse population. Recent polls show less than half of the adult population belongs to a religious congregation, with younger generations moving away from organized religion entirely. Can democracy exist without religion? How will Americans’ shifting religiosity affect democratic norms? These are the questions we must answer in our age of distrust and polarization.

To address these questions, the Hauenstein Center and Kaufman Interfaith Institute welcome a panel of experts to discuss the nation’s shifting religious landscape. Neil Carlson at the Center for Social Research at Calvin University will provide the program’s keynote remarks and moderate the evening discussion. Panelists include Petra Alsoofy at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding; Kevin McIntosh at the One America Movement; Seth Sutton at Montcalm Community College; and Matt Jantzen at Hope College.

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Location Information

Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium
GVSU's Richard M. DeVos Center
401 Fulton St W
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Free parking is available in the Seward Ramp.

We will continue to offer a digital alternative for all of our events. Engage in our events virtually by visiting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87222394732 or call in at US: +1 (929) 205-6099 Webinar ID: 872 2239 4732 to view the live broadcast.

Contact Information

[email protected]
(616) 331-2770

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This event was added to the calendar by Samantha York (yorksa@gvsu.edu) on Monday, December 20, 2021 and was last updated on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at 4:38 p.m.