Experts on Christian nationalism to analyze its future in US religious and political landscape at Rice Baker Institute event | Rice News | News and Media Relations

Experts on Christian nationalism will gather at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance on April 26 to delve into the growing influence of this ideology in American religious and political life.

Christian nationalism, a movement that seeks to blend Christian symbols with American civic life, has gained traction in recent years, impacting politics and policies across the country. The conference aims to explore the origins and implications of this movement, addressing key questions such as its relationship to race and religion, and its effects on local and national politics.

The event, titled “Christian Nationalism and Public Policy in the US,” will feature a lineup of distinguished experts including David Satterfield, director of the Baker Institute, and Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy, as well as scholars from institutions like Yale Divinity School, Baylor University, and the University of Connecticut.

Scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the conference will take place at James A. Baker III Hall, with an option for live streaming for those unable to attend in person. Media personnel interested in covering the event are encouraged to RSVP with Avery Franklin, Rice University’s media relations specialist.

Funded by the Bryan J. & June B. Zwan Endowment, the conference marks the inaugural event in the Visiting Distinguished Scholars Series, co-sponsored by the Religion and Public Policy Program at the Baker Institute and the Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance. This premier interdisciplinary research institute aims to promote religious pluralism, tolerance, and understanding in communities.