The free exercise of religion is guaranteed in the U.S. constitution, but that guarantee in the First Amendment prohibiting the government from creating an official religion is not stopping the current effort to merge the state with a version of the Christian religion. 

This growing concern about so-called Christian nationalism is the topic of a talk on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 12 noon during the Lunch with the League meeting of the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge.

The speaker will be Patricia K. Freeland, professor of political science and associate head of the Department of Political Science at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. An authority on this subject, she has taught classes on religion and politics and has written numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals on this subject. She has also authored many book chapters on her other academic interests. 

The public is invited to attend the Lunch with the League from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. All are welcome to bring their lunch or purchase a boxed lunch for a nominal fee. Coffee and tea will be served. The presentation will begin at noon. 

In her summary of her talk on religion and politics, Freeland wrote: “In today’s political environment there is a seemingly mounting effort to merge state and religion, particularly a version of the Christian religion. In a pluralistic and diverse society, as is the United States, this is a major concern. Our Founding Fathers, many of whom came from a society that mandated a specific religion, were adamant that this would not be a cornerstone of this new nation.”

Freeland is currently the reviewer for ten peer-reviewed journals. She has served on numerous departmental and university boards and committees.

She received her Ph.D. in political science at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, her M.A. degree in political science at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and her B.A. degree in political science and sociology at Central Michigan University.

Lunch with the League welcomes League members and nonmembers alike to this informative presentation. The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge is a nonpartisan political organization for women and men. It encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy.