Series to focus on ‘Religion and Politics in an Age of Fracture’

John Inazu standing by window
John Inazu will take part in a panel discussion Feb. 6 on divisions in religion and politics. (Photo: Joe Angeles/Washington University)

Bridging divisions in religion and politics will be the topic of a series of interdisciplinary panels sponsored by  Washington University in St. Louis’ John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics.

“Religion and Politics in an Age of Fracture” will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. in Knight Hall’s Emerson Auditorium on the following dates:

The series is running concurrently to “Religion, Politics and the University,” a course co-taught this semester by Inazu, the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law & Religion, and Patel, a visiting Danforth scholar and the founder-director of Interfaith Youth Core.

Davis is vice provost and the William M. Van Cleve Professor of Law. Stern is the co-founder and president of Palisades Media Ventures, and Green is a staff writer at ​The Atlantic, where she covers politics, policy and religion.

'The Relevance of Religion for Leadership'

The center will also serve as co-host with Olin Business School’s Bauer Leadership Center at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13 for “The Relevance of Religion for Leadership: How Religious Tradition Can Inform Leadership Values and Approaches.”

The event, to be held in Knight Hall’s Emerson Auditorium, includes former U.S. Sen. John “Jack” Danforth; neurologist Ghazala Hayat, MD; and Bob Chapman, chairman and CEO of Barry-Wehmiller Cos.

Emeritus trustee and alumnus George P. Bauer will moderate the discussion, and the keynote speaker is David Miller, director of the Faith and Work Institute at Princeton University.

Register online.

“The John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics is delighted to be bringing Eboo Patel to campus as a visiting scholar this semester,” said R. Marie Griffith, the John C. Danforth Distinguished Professor in the Humanities and the center’s director. “Public engagement is a major part of the center’s mission, and Dr. Patel’s contributions to us and the wider university community will be outstanding.”

The discussion series approaches the challenges arising out of divisions over religion and politics and how to bridge relationships in spite of those challenges. Speakers are coming together from the center, law, private industry and the nonprofit world to discuss paths toward bridging relationships arising out of divisions over religion and politics. 

RSVPs are appreciated, but not required. Email rap@wustl.edu or call 314-935-9345 for more information, directions and parking instructions.