The persistence of poverty, the decline of social mobility and rising inequality in the U.S. all demand new departures in policy and politics. Yet the electorate and Congress are polarized and trust in government is at an all-time low. Religious Americans have been essential to the success of movements for justice throughout American history. Today, they have an opportunity to sustain a movement for economic justice.
On April 24, the religion, policy and politics project at Brookings hosted a forum to release a major new report, “Faith In Equality: Economic Justice and the Future of Religious Progressives.” The report discusses particular challenges facing the religious movement for social justice, including the decline of congregations and unions and the challenge of coalition-building. It also highlights particular opportunities, and argues that the engagement of the African-American Church with the civil rights struggle provides a model for new engagements in our time around issues of social and economic justice. Brookings Senior Fellow, E.J. Dionne, presented the report. Gary Dorrien, Union Theological Seminary, offered an historic perspective. A second panel focused on the current landscape and provided a look forward. Sr. Simone Campbell, executive director of NETWORK and author of A Nun on the Bus, provided closing remarks. The discussion was moderated by Brookings Senior Fellow and report co-author, William Galston.
Faith In Equality: Economic Justice and the Future of Religious Progressives
Agenda
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April 24
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Report Presentation
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Panel I: An Historic Perspective
Gary Dorrien Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics - Union Theological SeminaryRoss Douthat Columnist - The New York Times -
Panel II: The Current Landscape and a Look Ahead
Jennifer Butler CEO - Faith in Public LifeRev. Gabriel Salguero President - National Latino Evangelical CoalitionDorian T. Warren Associate Professor - Political Science & School of International & Public Affairs Columbia UniversityMichael Wear Consultant - Former White House and campaign aide to President Obama -
Closing Remarks
Sr. Simone Campbell Executive Director - NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
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