John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics

06/25/2026

Our "1776, Then and Now" course offered lectures from 16 different scholars. Sara Savat of WashU covered several of them, including this by the Center's Tazeen Ali.
https://source.washu.edu/2026/06/washu-expert-how-thomas-jeffersons-quran-became-test-case-for-religious-liberty/
You can watch all the lectures at our website rap.washu.edu.

Tazeen Ali, an assistant professor of religion and politics at Washington University in St. Louis, says Thomas Jefferson's Quran confronts us with the question of what the founders themselves knew they couldn't avoid: Will the promises of 1776 stop at the edge of our own religion, or will they exten...

06/24/2026

Our "1776, Then and Now" course offered lectures from 16 different scholars. Sara Savat of WashU covered several of them, including this by Mark Valeri:
You can also watch all the lectures at our website rap.washu.edu.
https://source.washu.edu/2026/02/the-pulpit-and-the-patriot-how-religion-fueled-the-american-revolution/

In the years leading up to the Revolution, Protestant preachers, sometimes referred to as the “black-robed regiment,” used biblical texts and spiritual ideas to reframe the treasonous act of rebellion into righteous moral duty, according to Mark Valeri, vice director of the Danforth Center on Re...

06/24/2026

Leigh Schmidt was a panelist on "Conspirituality" at the 9th Biennial Conference on Religion and American Culture hosted earlier this month by the IU Indianapolis Center.

Throughout American history, populist movements have often looked for hidden truths and behind-the-scenes activities to explain social upheaval. Today, we see a fusion of UFO disclosure movements, Q-Anon narratives, and digital apocalypticism. From the ‘Q-drops’ to leaked UAP footage, these move...

06/24/2026

Congrats to the new cohort! Especially pleased to see four former Center postdocs! (Susanna, Cody, Eric, and Esra!)

Meet the 2026-2028 Young Scholars in American Religion Cohort! The members of this cohort were chosen for their commitment to excellence in research, teaching, and interdisciplinary collaboration within the fields of American Religion. Follow along as we share more info about them & their work!
Learn more about the new cohort here: https://raac.indianapolis.iu.edu/programs/young-scholars/

06/24/2026

Marie Griffith was a panelist on "Public Authority" at the 9th Biennial Conference on Religion and American Culture hosted earlier this month by the IU Indianapolis Center.

The next session will focus on religion scholars utilizing their expertise and authority in the media and in moments of crisis. Have questions or comments on this topic? Comment below to be included in the conversation.

06/24/2026

The Center's Leigh Schmidt speaks with Reza Aslan!

Episode 8 of Our Seven Neighbors is now available.

This week’s episode, “Freedom FROM Religion: The Right Not to Believe in a Nation of Faith,” features Dr. Leigh Eric Schmidt, Edward C. Mallinckrodt Distinguished University Professor in the Humanities at Washington University in St. Louis, in conversation with host Reza Aslan.

New episodes are released weekly on Tuesdays.

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/show/42HmLkMWqPPKx5uAF1JeFO?si=301dd86afda54818

06/23/2026

We were delighted taught one of the lectures in our 1776, Then and Now course.

Read about his lecture "Free speech and judicial independence in the age of revolution" or watch the full thing at rap.washu.edu

https://source.washu.edu/2026/06/washu-expert-free-speech-and-judicial-independence-in-the-age-of-revolution/

The right to free speech and judicial independence — two foundational values our nation is built upon — were born of the founders’ distrust of unchecked power, according to Andrew D. Martin, chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis and an expert in judicial politics.

06/22/2026

Mark Valeri delivered a lecture to the Block Island Historical Society earlier this month.

⬇️ If you thought that was cool..

You should join the Block Island Historical Society for The Sacred Cause of 1776: Religion and the Revolution with Mark Valeri! Free and open to the public! 🇺🇸✨

📍 18 Old Town Road, Block Island
📅 Tuesday, June 9, 2026
⏰ 7 PM

06/22/2026

Tune in tomorrow for Leigh Schmidt with Reza Aslan!

06/19/2026

Marie Griffith participated last night in a panel discussion on "Christian Faith and U.S. Democracy" at Princeton Theological Seminary. More info: https://ptsem.edu/online-professional-studies/continuing-education/christian-faith-and-u-s-democracy-past-present-and-prospects/