Cuomo and Souder to Speak on Faith and Politics 9/27/2002
From: Heather Morton of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, 202-955-5078 News Advisory: In a year in which religion has received generous attention from press and public alike, issues of faith have emerged in numerous political campaigns. Recent polls reveal that American views on the role of faith in the political process are complex. According to a September 2000 survey released by the Pew Forum and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, 70 percent of Americans thought it was important for political candidates to be strongly religious, but 50 percent were uncomfortable when politicians talked about how religious they are. A similar survey by the Pew Forum and the Pew Research Center in March 2002 found that while nearly 50 percent of the public favored churches and other religious groups expressing their views on social and political subjects, 70 percent believe churches and other houses of worship should not endorse political candidates. The Pew Forum will host a public discussion to consider the relationship between faith and politics on Wednesday, October 2, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Mayflower Hotel. "Religion on the Stump: Politics and Faith in America" will feature former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo and Congressman Mark Souder (R-Ind.). Discussion will follow, led by Pew Forum Co-chairs E.J. Dionne of the Brookings Institution and Jean Bethke Elshtain of the University of Chicago. WHAT: Discussion of Religion and Politics in America WHO: Keynote Speakers: Former Gov. Mario Cuomo Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.) Moderators: -- E.J. Dionne, Jr., senior fellow, the Brookings Institution; Co-Chair, the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life; Columnist, The Washington Post -- Jean Bethke Elshtain, Laura Spelman Rockefeller Professor of Social and Political Ethics, the University of Chicago WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 2 10 a.m. - Noon Continental Breakfast Provided WHERE: Mayflower Hotel, the Chinese Room 1127 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC RSVP to Heather Morton (202)955-5078 |