Religion influences American political and public life in a huge variety of ways, shaping foreign policy, economics, and social issues. We seek to understand how religion impacts the way in which candidates for political office engage these issues.  Polls show that, in general, religious Americans are more likely to vote Republican and less-religious or secular Americans tend to vote Democratic; however, the role of religion in government is much more complicated and nuanced than this simple binary.  To what extent does religiosity impact party identification? How does it affect the way candidates seek office, and how does it affect voters' choices?

In this conversation, we hope to explore the role of religion in American elections, the interplay of religion and political parties, and the role religion has played in previous elections so that we can analyze its impact on the current election.  We are interested in the numerous ways in which religion and political participation interact during campaigns and in the voting booth.

Participants will include:

• Anthea Butler, University of Pennsylvania

• Robert P. Jones, PRRI, Author of The End of White Christian America

• Sarah Posner, Journalist, Author of God's Profits: Faith, Fraud, and the Republican Crusade for Values Voters

• Kenneth Wald, University of Florida

• Fred Harris (moderator), Columbia University

RSVPs are appreciated, but not necessary.  Click here to RSVP.