As the intersection of politics and religion remains ever present in the news, panelists examined the role of religion in a pluralistic society at the Veritas Forum on Wednesday night.

The Veritas Forums, which take place nationwide, are designed to encourage discussion of Christianity’s role in a nation and world of many faiths. Panelists spoke on the problematic connotations of conversion and the troublesome nature of religion in the political arena.

The discourse took many turns throughout the evening, at one point touching on the current presidential election. All three panelists agreed that using faith-based arguments in campaigns is faulty, pointing to Republican candidate Mike Huckabee as an example.

“What people should be doing is not waving a flag, but letting religious views inform public policies,” Timothy Keller, the senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church said.

Professor of Humanities and Religion Mark Lilla, another panelist, pointed out that incorporating religion into a campaign restricts a candidate’s group of supporters almost entirely to like-minded individuals. “It’s being sent as a signal to voters that on this, we won’t compromise,” he said. “That attitude is very unhealthy in democracy.”

Lilla then discussed conversion as an important aspect of Christianity—one that ruffles feathers in a secular political system. “Even to raise the issue of conversion today would be offensive,” he said.

American Studies professor Andrew Delbanco said he found the principle of secular public life to be vital. “The whole notion of proselytizing makes me nervous,” he said.

zahra.khimji@columbiaspectator.com