Community Series to Explore Faith, Democracy, and the First Amendment
A three-part community discussion series will examine the relationship between faith, democracy, and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, with organizers hoping to encourage thoughtful conversation about religious freedom and the separation of church and state.
The series will begin with a screening of a video featuring a panel of experts discussing concerns about the influence of white Christian evangelical nationalism and the potential impact they believe it may have on democratic institutions in the United States. Following the screening, attendees will have an opportunity to reflect on the issues raised and share their perspectives.
The second session will focus on the book Star-Spangled Jesus by April Ajoy. The memoir recounts Ajoy’s personal journey of growing up in a Christian nationalist environment and later reexamining those beliefs while maintaining her Christian faith. Participants will discuss the themes of the book, including faith, identity, and the distinction between religion and political ideology.
The final meeting in the series will feature a panel of local faith leaders representing different religious perspectives. Panelists will share their views on faith, civic responsibility, and the role religion plays in public life. The discussion will also address the importance of the First Amendment’s protections of religious liberty and the longstanding principle of the separation of church and state.
Ratified in 1791 as part of the United States Bill of Rights, the First Amendment guarantees Americans the freedom to practice religion, speak openly, assemble peacefully, and petition the government. Organizers say these freedoms allow individuals to hold diverse beliefs while ensuring that government remains neutral in matters of faith.
By the end of the three-session series, organizers hope participants will gain a deeper understanding of how religious freedom and democratic principles intersect, and why maintaining both freedom of belief and the separation of church and state remains essential to the nation’s constitutional framework.
Event Dates:
March 28th 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Georgetown Video
April 30th 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Book Discussion
May 28th 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Local Faith Leader Panel Discussion
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Email us here!
Call 517-515-5056
A three-part community discussion series will examine the relationship between faith, democracy, and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, with organizers hoping to encourage thoughtful conversation about religious freedom and the separation of church and state.
The series will begin with a screening of a video featuring a panel of experts discussing concerns about the influence of white Christian evangelical nationalism and the potential impact they believe it may have on democratic institutions in the United States. Following the screening, attendees will have an opportunity to reflect on the issues raised and share their perspectives.
The second session will focus on the book Star-Spangled Jesus by April Ajoy. The memoir recounts Ajoy’s personal journey of growing up in a Christian nationalist environment and later reexamining those beliefs while maintaining her Christian faith. Participants will discuss the themes of the book, including faith, identity, and the distinction between religion and political ideology.
The final meeting in the series will feature a panel of local faith leaders representing different religious perspectives. Panelists will share their views on faith, civic responsibility, and the role religion plays in public life. The discussion will also address the importance of the First Amendment’s protections of religious liberty and the longstanding principle of the separation of church and state.
Ratified in 1791 as part of the United States Bill of Rights, the First Amendment guarantees Americans the freedom to practice religion, speak openly, assemble peacefully, and petition the government. Organizers say these freedoms allow individuals to hold diverse beliefs while ensuring that government remains neutral in matters of faith.
By the end of the three-session series, organizers hope participants will gain a deeper understanding of how religious freedom and democratic principles intersect, and why maintaining both freedom of belief and the separation of church and state remains essential to the nation’s constitutional framework.
Event Dates:
March 28th 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Georgetown Video
April 30th 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Book Discussion
May 28th 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Local Faith Leader Panel Discussion
Follow Us on Facebook for more updates!
Email us here!
Call 517-515-5056