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September 24, 2004/Tishri 9 5765, Vol. 57, No. 4
Religion 'central' to U.S. politics
MICHAEL MIKLOFSKY
Staff Writer
Arizona State University will be a site of increased political activity as the Nov. 2 general election approaches.
A proposed third and final presidential debate between President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) is scheduled for Oct. 13 at ASU's Gammage Auditorium.
Prior to that nationally televised debate, a series of exhibits, panel discussions and lectures will provide students and community members with history and current perspective on American politics.
The Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict, which opened in January 2003, will host the first lecture of its "Religion and Conflict: Alternative Visions" series. E.J. Dionne Jr., a Washington Post columnist and founder and co-chairman of the Pew Forum on Religion in Public Life, will discuss "One Nation Under God?: Religion and the 2004 Presidential Election" on Sept. 27. The already-sold-out lecture follows his work for the Post and as author and editor of many books.
He most recently edited "One Electorate Under God?" which was published last month. Dionne will sign copies at noon Thursday, Sept. 28, at Changing Hands Bookstore, 6428 S. McClintock Road, Tempe.
"We talk a lot as if (religion in politics) is a brand-new thing and that the rise of the religious right or the religious conservative movement is just a brand-new thing in politics," Dionne told Jewish News in a phone interview. "In fact, religion has been central to American politics from the inception of the republic."
Carolyn Forbes, the ASU center's assistant director, said Dionne was invited to lecture because, "We felt that he could give a very thoughtful, insightful discussion about the issue of religion in public life from a more explanatory frame, rather than a partisan frame. ... He provides a model of civil discourse."
Dionne said he will address a broad range of issues intended to lead audience members to consult their own religious beliefs in order to determine their own posi-tions. These issues include abortion, stem cell research and gay marriage.
"For a lot of people, in both the Christian tradition and Jewish traditions, social justice concerns about poverty are very much connected to their own religious traditions and commitments," he said.
Dionne said religion is closely tied to the way Americans decide to vote and the manner in which they commit themselves by their vote to their personal causes.
"Voting patterns are clearly influenced by where people come from religiously, whether or not they are even believers," he said.
The First Amend-ment, which says that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," remains re-spected, Dionne said.
"There is a sep-aration of church and state, but there has never been a separation of religion and politics. I would defend the right of anyone to have their religious convictions influence their political views."
But he said he worries that people "who do not have a religious faith can feel left out in this broader discussion."
The next lecture in the series, "Islamic Democracy and the Future of Iraq" will be delivered by Noah Feldman at the College of Law Great Hall 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27. To attend, call 480-727-6736.
Arizona State University will host a series of political exhibits, panel discussions and lectures at various locations throughout the Valley. For details, visit www.asu.edu/debate/events.
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