Let’s talk about politics…and religion too

Published 4:00 pm Saturday, May 21, 2005

A discussion series broaches two subjects often kept separated.

Long shunned in polite conversation, the intersection of politics and religion is explored in a series beginning this weekend.

Participants will consider:

At what point is an act by a government official considered “establishment of religion” as prohibited by the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment?

And is the fear of being “not politically correct” stifling discussion or expression of one’s beliefs?

“This is not to espouse any point of view,” said Channie Peters, co-organizer of the forum on “The Role of Religion in the Public Square.”

“What we want to do is bring this discussion into the open in a way that doesn’t polarize and cause anger and hostility.”

Sponsored by the Bainbridge Island/North Kitsap Interfaith Council and Cedars Unitarian Universalist Church, the forum is part of a series called “Spiritually Speaking…& Listening.”

The series begins with the forum, from 7-9 p.m. May 22 at the Bainbridge High School LGI Room. It continues with three Tuesday “conversation cafes” at Blackbird Bakery on May 31, June 7 and June 14.

“I just feel the country has become so polarized,” Peters said. “I hope civil discourse will lead to understanding the other side’s position.”

Co-organizer Wendy Johnson said the forum could prompt discussion between people who usually don’t meet.

“Whether it’s our politics or religion, it’s our tendency to talk to people who agree with us,” Johnson said. “We don’t have space in our lives to learn unless we have this space to have a dialogue.”

It was with some temerity that Johnson submitted a letter to the editor in the Review last December, about her discomfort at how discussing religion in public has become nearly taboo.

“I felt like I was coming out of the closet by saying I’m a Christian,” she recalled.

She was surprised at the many letters she received in response.

At a Christmas party, she said, the letter triggered “an amazing discussion of beliefs” with people she knew well, but with whom she had never discussed such topics.

That put a seed in her mind. A similar idea was also germinating with Peters when she sought a discussion topic for the Cedars congregation to take on.

The teaming of Cedars with the Interfaith Council resulted in this forum and series.

Panelist presentations will include how “establishment” or “exercise” in the First Amendment – “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” – are legally interpreted and examples of relevant court cases.

Nancy Quitslund of the League of Women Voters will moderate the panel of speakers, which includes: David Harrison of the UW Evans School of Public Affairs; David Snapper, pastor of Anchor of Hope Reform Christian Church in Silverdale; Jay Brown of the American Civil Liberties Union; and Rabbi Mark Glickman of Congregation Kol Shalom, and religion columnist for the Seattle Times.

“It doesn’t matter where you are on the spectrum, but just to be able to speak about beliefs” is important, Johnson said.

She hopes that through participation in this series people “wouldn’t hesitate to speak from their hearts and would know that, speaking from that tender place, that it would be embraced and respected.

“It’s the speaking and listening part that’s important — the giving and receiving.”

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Public square

“The Role of Religion in the Public Square” is 7-9 p.m. May 22 at the Bainbridge High School LGI Room. Free. Follow-up conversation cafes are scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. May 31, June 7 and 14 at Blackbird Bakery. For more information contact: (forum) Channie Peters, 842-7700 or channie@bainbridgevoter.com (conversation cafes) Wendy Johnson, 842-0997 or wjcollaborations@earthlink.net.

A book list of suggested readings, collected by organizers, covering a range of viewpoints is available at Eagle Harbor Book Co.

Co-sponsors include Bainbridge Arts and Humanities Council, Congregation Kol Shalom, Eagle Harbor Book Co., Eagle Harbor Congregational Church, Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple and Unity Church of Bainbridge Island.