Religion in Politics: Energizing or Polarizing?

One day, in a sardonic jibe at some conservative who was piously claiming the mantle of heaven, I told my wife, "Don't forget, God's a Republican." Without missing a beat, she replied, "But his son's a Democrat."
Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 4-5-12

Are politics and religion an “unholy mix?” How is religion used or misused in political discourse? How does “God Talk” affect the election process?

The Adult Education Work Area is pleased to present four panelists from diverse backgrounds to discuss:

Religion in Politics: Energizing or Polarizing

How has religion energized or polarized politics over the last 50 years? Perry Hamalis Associate Professor Department of Religious Studies, North Central College
What effect do religious groups have in defining and articulating a candidate’s platform?  Scott Harper Former candidate for congress
What are the hot button religious issues affecting this election?  Jerry Moore Columnist Suburban Life Publications
What power does the pulpit hold in shaping the political landscape?  Phil Blackwell Senior Pastor Chicago Temple First United Methodist Church

Moderators: Greg Beggs and Laura Temple

Panelist Biographies:

Dr. Perry Hamalis is the Cecelia Shneller Mueller Professor of Religion and Director of the Honors Program at North Central College. His areas of expertise are Religious Ethics, Religion and Politics, and Eastern Orthodox Christian thought. In addition to publishing and speaking in a wide range of contexts, Dr. Hamalis serves as a consultant to the World Council of Church's Faith and Order Commission. His Book, Formed by Death: Insights for Ethics from Eastern Orthodox Christianity will be published in 2013 by University of Notre Dame Press.

Scott Harper has a frontline vantage point on the intersection of ethics and politics as an Associate Director in the Governor's Budget Office especially in the areas of truth-telling and collaboration. Scott dealt with these issues even more personally while contesting twice for a Congressional seat in 2008 and 2010. He holds a Masters Degree from Catholic Theological Union in theology, and his doctoral dissertation at Oxford University is on the intersection of evolutionary biology and social ethics.

Jerry Moore is the opinions editor and a columnist for Suburban Life Publications, which publishes more than a dozen community weekly newspapers in Chicago's western suburbs. He has written about many social issues as a columnist for more than 20 years. Moore has a bachelor's degree in speech communication with a minor in religion as well as a master's degree in political and justice studies.

Phil Blackwell is the Senior Pastor at the First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple. Key to the work of his congregation at the heart of the Loop, and crucial to his understanding of his own ministry, is the interfaith cooperation necessary to make the city a more humane place in which to live. He is a graduate of Yale Divinity School, the Divinity School at the University of Chicago, as well as the University of Wisconsin in Madison.