religion and democracy

Presenting a broad spectrum of case studies, this session will explore the intersection of religion and democracy from a variety of angles. The first paper examines the work of the Catholic Church in a variety of African states as a window into the Church's position on democracy and peace.  The second presents a study of politically diverse "Purple Churches" and the methods they use to unite and engage members across political divides. The third examines the potential for liberalism and democracy in Orthodox Christianity and the fourth presents the January 6 insurrection as a bellweather of the increased appeal of autocracy in the contemporary United States.