As has been demonstrated in many ways in the 2012 presidential campaign, religion plays an influential role — for better or worse — in American politics.
Dr. Emile Lester, a professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington and a respected authority on religion and politics, will address some of these issues in an appearance at the Lake of the Woods Democratic Club on August 16.
The club will meet at 1:30 p.m. in the Lower Level of the LOW Clubhouse. As usual, members of the public are cordially invited to attend, regardless of political affiliation.
Dr. Lester, who earned his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, is author of “Teaching Religions: A Democratic Approach for Public Schools” published by the University of Michigan Press and has published numerous articles in scholarly journals, including The Review of Politics, Polity, Journal of Church and State, Politics and Religion, and Public Affairs Quarterly.
A description of his book is available at the Website of the University of Michigan Press.
He co-authored a research report on religion in public education published by First Amendment Center which was featured in The New York Times, The American Interest, USA Today, on C-Span, on NPR, and in various other media outlets around the nation.
Dr. Lester is the recipient of 2010-2011 Jepson Fellowship and a member of the editorial board of the peer-reviewed journal, Religion & Education.
To view a guest blog by Professor Lester about his book see the Web site of The Washington Post.