Berz Lecture:
October 8, 2024
Amanda Tyler presented, "Christian Nationalism & the Threat to Democracy and Faith" (5:30-6:30PM)
"Amanda Tyler is executive director of BJC (Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty), leading the organization as it upholds the historic Baptist principle of religious liberty: defending the free exercise and protecting against its establishment by government. The author of How to End Christian Nationalism (October 2024), Tyler is also the co-host of BJC's Respecting Religion podcast. Tyler's constitutional law analysis and advocacy for faith freedom for all have been featured by major news outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post, CBS News, ABC News, CNN, and MSNBC, and she has testified before Congress on religious liberty and Christian nationalism. A graduate of Georgetown University and The University of Texas School of Law, she lives in Dallas with her husband and son."
Thank you for attending this dynamic talk and conversation!
Welcome
The Chair of the Department of Religion, Prof. Irene Oh [left], welcomes distinguished speaker, Amanda Tyler [center], Executive Director of the Baptist Joint Committee on Religious Liberty, alongside Faculty Instructor of Religion, Dr. William Boyce [right].
Presentation
For the 2024 Berz Endowed Lecture, Amanda Tyler draws on current sociological studies, trends, and analysis of "Christian Nationalism" in the North American context to distinguish and differentiate it from Christianity, historically and theologically.
Q&A
Students engage in lively conversation about "Christian Nationalism," the value of religious literacy and the academic study of religion, and pathways forward in a complex political moment. Also in attendance are faculty, staff, administrators, our benefactor (David Berz), and the Dean of the College in the University Student Center.