Reconstructing Religious Liberty in a Time of Religious and Secular Extremes
Register Now!
The NAD Public Affairs and Religious Liberty ministry is excited to announce its upcoming October 20-21 conference “Reconstructing Religious Liberty in a Time of Religious and Secular Extremes.” Hosted by the Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church in partnership with Southern Adventist University, this two-day event will explore new ways to talk about religious freedom within a culturally and politically polarized America.
Today religious and secular extremes threaten our fundamental freedoms, albeit in very different ways. As students of Bible prophecy, Seventh-day Adventists have long advocated for both strong free exercise protections, and a robust separation of church and state.
Our goal for this conference is to explore new ways to talk about religious freedoms within a culturally and politically polarized America. How can we effectively engage with those who believe religious freedom is merely a cover for bigotry? And, on the other hand, how do we engage with people of faith who increasingly fear cultural marginalization, and who’ve become venerable to the appeal of religious nationalism?
Join academics, theologians, and religious freedom experts for this two-day event as we consider these increasingly divisive issues.
Who Should Attend:
Anyone interested in contemporary religious freedom issues are invited to attend.
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Samuel Perry, The Flag and the Cross; Dr. Shirley Hoogstra, Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, Pastor Ivor Myers, and Dr. Tobias Cremer, Oxford University.
Schedule:
Thursday, October 19, 2023
4:00 pm-5:00 pm - Event Check-in
Friday, October 20, 2023
8:00 am-2:00 pm - Event Check-in
9:00 am-9:20 am - Welcome/Intro
9:20 am-10:30 am - Plenary Speaker
10:40 am-1:30 am - Plenary Speaker - Dr. Samuel Perry
12:45 pm-1:45 pm - Lunch Provided
2:00 pm-2:40 pm - Plenary Speaker - Dr. Tobias Cremer
2:50 pm-3:40 pm - Panel Discussion - The Long View: Lessons from the History of Religious Extremism
3:50 pm-4:40 pm - Plenary Speaker - Dr. Shirley Hoogstra
Sabbath, October 21, 2023
9:30 am-12:00 pm - Event Check-in
10:30 am-11:30 am - Panel Discussion - The Final Crisis: Extremism Counterfeits, and Faithfulness
11:45 am-1:00 pm - Church/Divine Worship - Pastor Dave Ferguson
1:30 pm-2:30 pm - Lunch Provided
2:30 pm-3:20 pm - Plenary Speaker - Pastor Ivor Myers
3:30 pm-4:20 pm - Panel Discussion - Workplace Accommodation: A Battle Won, A Battle Continuing
4:40 pm-5:20 pm - Panel Discussion - Groupthink Politics: The Pitfalls of Liberal and Conservative Extremes
Additional Information:
Lodging: If you have guests who need lodging accommodations please visit SAU Guest Lodging to complete their reservation.
Meals: You will receive lunch on Friday and Sabbath with your event registration.
Directions: Please click here for a Map | Weather
Nearest Airport: Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport
Ground Transportation: Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Ground Transportation
On-site Event Registration & Check-in: You may pick up your event material on Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 4:00-4:00 pm; on Friday, October 20, 2023 from 8:00 am-12:00 pm; on or Sabbath, October 21, 2023 from 9:30 am-12:00 pm. Please plan to register early with AdventSource, since no registrations will be taken on-site.
Children: As a courtesy to other participants, and to maximize your benefit during this event, we ask that you make other arrangements for the care of your children.
Dress: Corporate casual for Friday; Sabbath attire is requested for worship hours.