Awakening our Democracy: The Politics of Religious Freedom - SUGGESTED READINGS

The Office of University Life hosted the third installment of its ongoing conversation series, AWAKENING OUR DEMOCRACY, Thurs. Jan. 21, with panelists who represent a range of perspectives and viewpoints on the intersection of faith, freedom and politics. You can watch a recording of the event here. Suggested readings and topical music selections from some of our panelists follow.

From Al Jazeera Global Affairs Correspondent Patricia Sabga (@patriciasabga)

• Religion can both hurt and enhance democratic attitudes – P. Ben-Nun Bloom and G. Arikan, London School of Economics and Political Science
• Constitutional Myth #4: The Constitution Doesn't Separate Church and State – G. Epps, The Atlantic
• In rebuke of Trump, Senate committee says barring entry to US based on religion is un-American – M. Jalonick (AP), U.S. News & World Report
• French Muslims Say Veil Ban Gives Cover to Bias – S. Daley and A. Rubin, The New York Times
• David Bowie - "Seven"
• Tupac Shakur - "Black Jesus"
• Joan Osborne - "One of Us"

From Congregation Beit Simchat Torah Senior Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, D.D. (@skleinbaum)

Below are organizations recommended by Rabbi Kleinbaum, along with musical selections.

• T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
• Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC)
• Metropolitan Opera Company
• Maria Callas - "Visi d'arte"
• Ludwig van Beethoven - "#4 Piano Concerto" (as performed by Rudolf Serkin)
• Bernadette Peters - "No One is Alone"

From Columbia Professor of Religion Josef Sorett (@JosefSorett)

• "The Politics of Religious Freedom" – A series of essays from The Immanent Frame
• "Room for Debate - If Jews Skip Synagogue and Christians Skip Church" – The New York Times
• Aretha Franklin - "Spirit in the Dark"
• Kendrick Lamar - "Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City"

A sampling of questions from registrants:

• What is the University's role in speaking out against religious intolerance?
• How are Muslims responding to increased discrimination and scrutiny as a result of recent events in Paris, San Bernardino, CA and around the world?
• How do America's civil liberties and social inclusion compare to the rest of the world?
• How can the media contribute in a constructive way to conversations about religious freedom, without provoking hateful rhetoric?
• How can I be a better ally to my religious (particularly, Muslim) friends and fellow citizens who are under attack?
• What roles do people without a strong sense of faith or religion play in this conversation?
• Should people's political decisions be strongly influenced by their religion, or should religious beliefs be separated from politics?

What attendees are saying:

"From the get-go seasoned journalist Patricia Sabga demanded ballsy responses from a panel set to deliver a potentially hum-drum sermon to the converted during this passionate, edge of your seat event ... not quite a debate but closer than anything I've experienced so far at CU...she held each member of the panel accountable to their own agendas... Thank you University Life." - D.L. Lee, School of the Arts