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When Religion Becomes Politics: The Rise of Christian Nationalism

October 23 @ 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

When Religion Becomes Politics: The Rise of Christian Nationalism

Thu, Oct 23 - 05:00 PM

Join Rabbi Dara Frimmer and Temple member Idelle Davidson for a timely and urgent conversation with Rachel Laser, President and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Rachel will discuss Christian Nationalism—an ideology that seeks to reshape America’s democracy by privileging one religion over all others, threatening both religious and civil freedoms. Drawing on her expertise as a lawyer, advocate and strategist who has dedicated her career to making our country more inclusive, Rachel will review how this movement influences public policy and the courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

We will learn:

  • What Christian Nationalism means and why it’s a growing force in American politics.
  • Why our democracy depends on the Constitutional principle of church-state separation.
  • How secular, inclusive public education is particularly under threat right now.
  • How, for nearly 80 years, Americans United has defended democracy through litigation and advocacy.
  • What each of us can do to help.

About Rachel Laser
Rachel became president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State in February 2018. She is the organization’s first non-Christian and female leader in its 78 year history. Rachel is a lawyer, advocate and strategist who has dedicated her career to making our country more inclusive. In her position at Americans United, Rachel oversees the organization’s work to protect freedom of conscience for all and ensure religion is not used to justify discrimination. Prior to coming to AU, Rachel worked as an educator on white privilege and racism and held positions as deputy director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, director of the Culture Program at Third Way and senior counsel at the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC). Rachel is a graduate of Harvard University and the University of Chicago Law School. She is a former board member of NARAL Pro-Choice America.