{"id":5855,"date":"2025-03-04T06:33:50","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T06:33:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deliberativecitizenship.org\/?page_id=5855"},"modified":"2026-01-06T17:51:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T17:51:21","slug":"religion-in-public-life","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/deliberativecitizenship.org\/past-events\/religion-in-public-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Religion in Public Life"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On February 13, 2025, in collaboration with Davidson College’s Chaplain’s Office and Religious Studies and Political Science Department, the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative hosted a Deliberative Forum on Religion in Public Life. Attended by over 150 people, approximately half in person and half online, the event began with a roundtable discussion of five panelists with a diverse set of experiences and perspectives related to the topic at hand. They included Robert Destro, Professor of Law at Catholic University; William McKenith, Pastor at Reeves Temple A.M.E. Zion Church; Hadia Mubarak, Associate Professor of Religion at Queens University; Nancy Petty, Pullen Memorial Baptist Church; and Brian Silva, VP of Outreach at Americans United for Separation of Church and State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Moderated by Davidson College Associate Professor of Writing Jason Blum, the panelists covered a wide range of questions, including whether religion should have special legal status and the tensions between religious autonomy, equality, and anti-discrimination efforts. Following the panel, DCI-trained facilitators guided audience members through small group discussions that explored the topic further, building on the deliberation guide that was shared beforehand and at the event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Feedback about the forum was very positive — nearly 90% stated in a post-event survey that they were very satisfied or satisfied with their small group discussion and would recommend the experience to a friend. As one participant wrote:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I left the discussion on Religion in Public Life with an appreciation for the ways in which religion intersects with public life and a greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities that arise when trying to maintain respect for religious diversity in the public square. It was a thought-provoking experience that not only broadened my understanding but also fostered a sense of community and mutual respect among participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Check out the deliberation guide and recording of the panel discussion below:<\/p>\n\n\nDCI-Religion-in-Public-Life-Deliberation-Guide-2025<\/a>\n

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