As secularization continues to reshape our cultural landscape, many questions emerge about the future of democracy and civil liberties in a society where religious authority is diminishing. How has secularization impacted our nation’s democratic values? What role does faith play in supporting civic life amid rising political extremism?

The 20th Annual Shurden Lectures on Religious Liberty and the Separation of Church and State, featuring Dr. John Compton, promise to address these critical issues. Dr. Compton, a respected political science professor and department chair at Chapman University, will lead three compelling lectures on November 13 and 14.

Event Details:

• Lecture 1: Democratic Values in a Secular Age
  📅 November 13, 3:30 p.m. ET
  📍 Mercer Law School, Macon, GA

• Lecture 2: Secularization and the Rise of Political Extremism
  📅 November 13, 5:30 p.m. ET
  📍 Science and Engineering Building, Macon, GA

• Lecture 3: Secularization and the Fracturing of the American Left
  📅 November 14, 12:15 p.m. ET
  📍 McAfee School of Theology, Atlanta, GA

Whether you attend in person on Mercer University’s campuses in Georgia or join via livestream, this series offers a timely exploration of secularization’s complex effects on American politics and social values. These free, public lectures invite all who are interested in understanding how faith intersects with democracy and the challenges that arise when religious authority wanes in public life.

👉 Register here to secure your spot for the livestream or in-person attendance.

Join us for these critical discussions, and bring your reflections back to our synod communities as we engage in ongoing conversations about faith’s role in modern society. To gain further insights, read a Q&A with Dr. Compton as he previews his thought-provoking lectures.