Sacred Politics: So Help Me God? Scriptural Authority and Public Conscience

Leading into the 2012 presidential and congressional elections in the United States, the fall quarter of the 2012-2013 Bannan Institute of the Ignatian Center at Santa Clara University will host a series of public lectures, exploring Christian texts relevant to issues of significant public debate, and engaging major questions of authority, national identity, and public conscience. All events are free and open to the public; for more information and to RSVP see: www.scu.edu/ic/institute/sacredpolitics

All events will take place at Santa Clara University. The fall series is comprised of 10 lectures with the following dates, times, speakers:

*POLITICAL VIOLENCE: Ted Smith, professor at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, “Scriptural Politics of Democracy: Divine Violence and the Higher Law.” He will discuss the use of “higher law” to justify violent political action. (Oct. 2, 4 to 5:15 p.m. at the St. Clare Room of the Library and Learning Commons.) For more information about this session, visit: www.scu.edu/ignatiancenter/institute/sacredpolitics/scriptural/smith.cfm

*CAPITAL FAITH: Fr. Patrick Conroy, S.J., 60th Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, "Chaplain to the House: Capital Faith and Politics." He will reflect on the role of the chaplain, how this position squares with the first amendment's proscription on establishing religion, and how he approaches his role as chaplain. (Oct. 8, noon to 1:15 p.m. at the St. Clare Room of the Library and Learning Commons.) For more information about this session, visit www.scu.edu/ignatiancenter/institute/sacredpolitics/religious/conroy.cfm

*IMMIGRATION: Kristin Heyer, religious studies professor at SCU, “Scriptural Politics of Immigration: Subversive Hospitality and Kinship.” She will discuss how scripture sheds light on prevailing views of immigration. (Oct. 9, 4 to 5:15 p.m. at the St. Clare Room of the Library and Learning Commons.) For more information about this session, visit: www.scu.edu/ignatiancenter/institute/sacredpolitics/scriptural/heyer.cfm

*CATHOLIC MORALITY: M. Cathleen Kaveny, professor of law and theology at University of Notre Dame, “Voting, Religious Liberty, and the Common Good.” Issues will include Catholic morality, the 2012 election, and the U.S. bishops’ religious-liberty campaign. (Oct. 10, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Gesu Chapel of the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University located in Berkeley.)

*WAR: The Rev. Daniel Bell Jr., professor of ethics and theology at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, “Scriptural Politics of War: Morality and War in Public Discourse.” Issues will include how scripture and tradition shape moral conversations about war. (Oct. 16, 4 to 5:15 p.m. at the St. Clare Room of the Library and Learning Commons.) For more information about this session, visit: www.scu.edu/ignatiancenter/institute/sacredpolitics/scriptural/bell.cfm

*CATHOLICS AND HEALTHCARE: Sr. Carol Keehan, CEO of the Catholic Health Association, “Catholic Healthcare: Mandates and Morals in an Era of Change.” Issues will include Obamacare’s contraceptive mandate and the controversy it sparked. (Oct. 17, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Recital Hall of Santa Clara University)

*HOMOSEXUALITY: Jeffrey Siker, professor of theological studies at Loyola Marymount University, “Scriptural Politics of Family and Homosexuality: Textual Orientations.” Issues will include the presidential candidates’ views on same-sex marriage, and the scriptural or moral backings each cites for his position. (Oct. 23, 2012; 4 to 5:15 p.m. at the St. Clare Room of the Library and Learning Commons.) For more information about this session, visit: www.scu.edu/ignatiancenter/institute/sacredpolitics/scriptural/siker.cfm

*CATHOLIC CONSCIENCE: David DeCosse, professor of ethics at Santa Clara University, “Catholicism, Politics and the Primacy of Conscience: Reflections on Newman’s ‘Letter to the Duke of Norfolk.’” Issues include 19th Century English theologian John Henry Newman’s view of Catholic conscience. (Oct. 24, 4 to 5:15 p.m. at the St. Clare Room of the Library and Learning Commons.)

*ECONOMY: Catherine Murphy, religious studies professor at Santa Clara University, “Scriptural Politics of the Economy: Bringing the Gospel to Bear on Our Economic Debates.” Issues include the controversy over the Ryan budget and scripture as a resource for economic decision-making. (Oct. 30, 4 to 5:15 p.m. at the St. Clare Room of the Library and Learning Commons.) For more information about this session, visit: www.scu.edu/ignatiancenter/institute/sacredpolitics/scriptural/murphy.cfm

*PRESIDENTS: James Bennett, professor of religious studies at Santa Clara University, “Scriptural Politics of the American Presidency: Religion in the 2012 Presidential Election.” Issues include the role of religion in presidential races, and the fact that this year’s ballot contains the most diversity in religious affiliations ever offered to voters. (Election Day, Nov. 6, 2012; 4 to 5:15 p.m. at the St. Clare Room of the Library and Learning Commons.) For more information about this session, visit: www.scu.edu/ignatiancenter/institute/sacredpolitics/scriptural/bennett.cfm