Introduction

In the Olin Center's lecture series for 1997-1998, we are addressing the place of religion in American democracy. This series will consider both the relation of religion to American political thought and practice in general, and also certain more specific topics such as the role of religion in citizenship, the struggle for civil rights, mores, and higher education. We are pleased in this series to host a lecture by Archbishop Francis E. George, the first lecture on our campus by Chicago's new Archbishop.

Our interest in this topic is prompted by long-standing questions about the relation between religious belief and liberal democracy as well as by recent developments that have raised new hopes and fears regarding the public role of organized religion. We shall address such questions as, What role did religion (specifically, Christianity) play in the theory and practice of the American Founding and in America's early history? How should we today understand the (religious) nature of American society: as basically Christian (mainly Protestant); as religious but pluralistically so; as liberal and tolerant, fundamentally neutral as between religion and irreligion; or as decisively secular (capitalistic, scientistic, economistic, hedonistic, etc.)? What are the positive contributions of religious beliefs and practices to the civil rights movement, race relations, patriotism, family life, and mores? What are the proper relations between religion and higher education, law, science, or commerce? Are we more in danger from religious zealotry and intolerance of minorities than from spiritual emptiness and moral relativism, arguably linked to "secularization"? Can religion serve its highest calling if it mixes too much in day-to-day politics? Our goal is a richer appreciation of the importance of religion for contemporary American life.

Autumn Quarter