Protect Our Secular Democracy: A Forum on Religious Freedom (VIRTUAL)

Program begins at 9:15am. If you would like to attend this program virtually, please click "Reserve a Spot" and we will send you a link.

Join local and national advocates for secular government at a forum to discuss the true meaning of religious freedom. This half-day event—sponsored by HumanistsMN and culminating with lunch (see details below)—will commemorate National Religious Freedom Day by exploring how we can uphold the constitutional principle of separation of church and state as Christian nationalism becomes ever more pervasive in the halls of government.

Religious freedom protects the right of Americans of all faiths—or no faith—to practice their beliefs. How can we fight efforts to misuse this principle to justify authoritarian government and twist its meaning to legitimize discrimination against LGBTQ people, curtail reproductive rights, deny services, or impose religion in schools?

MORNING SPEAKERS

• Mariko Hirose, chief program officer of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, an organization devoted to upholding the constitutional guarantee of secular government.
• Rev. Susan Hayward, a Minneapolis scholar and minister specializing in religion, peacebuilding, and human rights; co-host of "America Unexceptionalism," a podcast series about what Americans can learn from people around the world who have resisted religious nationalism.
• A panel of Minnesota legislators discussing what religious freedom means to them, with Sen. Jen McEwen and Rep. Athena Hollins, co-chairs of the Legislature's Secular Government Caucus; Rep. Brion Curran, chair of the Queer Legislators Caucus; and Rep. Andy Smith, an outspoken critic of Christian nationalism.

LUNCH

The event will include a buffet lunch where Rep. Mike Freiberg, co-chair of the Secular Government Caucus, will receive HumanistsMN's Religious Freedom Champion award. In addition to Rep. Freiberg, speakers will include:

• Fish Stark, executive director of the American Humanist Association (AHA), a national organization representing humanists that has taken a lead in fighting Christian nationalism. As we face the growing threat of an authoritarian government, Stark will outline how religious freedom is central to our centuries-long fight for liberty and justice for all.
• Beatrice Handlin, who as a student testified for legislation supported by Rep. Freiberg to end religious discrimination in the state-funded Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program.

SCHEDULE
8:30 a.m. Registration, coffee/tea; visit co-sponsor information tables*
9:15 a.m. Welcome
9:20 a.m. Mariko Horose, "Year in Review and Looking Ahead: The Christian Nationalist Threat to Our Communities"
10 a.m. Break
10:20 a.m. Rev. Susan Hayward, "Whose Freedom? Religion and Power from the Global to the Local"
11:00 a.m. Break
11:15 a.m. Panel of Minnesota legislators
12:00 p.m. Break
12: 15 p.m. Lunch
12: 45 p.m. Award to Rep. Mike Freiberg; Beatrice Handlin
1:00 p.m. Fish Stark, "The Cause of America: Religious Freedom and The Fight Against Tyranny."
1:45 p.m. Visit co-sponsor info tables.
2:00 p.m. Program ends

BACKGROUND ON NATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DAY (Jan. 16)
National Religious Freedom Day commemorates the Virginia General Assembly’s adoption of Thomas Jefferson’s landmark Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom on Jan. 16, 1786. The statute became the basis for the establishment clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing the separation of church and state. The U.S. President has proclaimed Religious Freedom Day annually since 1993.

ABOUT THE SPONSOR
HumanistsMN is a secular community that promotes ethical living, widespread human flourishing, and a healthy planet through its commitment to science, reason, compassion, and creativity.

*THANKS TO OUR CO-SPONSORS
ACLU of Minnesota, American Humanist Association, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Christians Against Christian Nationalism Minnesota, First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, Freedom From Religion Foundation, Gender Justice, Health Care for All Minnesota, Jews for a Secular Democracy, Minnesota Atheists, Or Emet, OutFront Minnesota, Secular Student Alliance, SMART Recovery, Vote Common Good.

Questions? Contact [email protected].

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