Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and Peter Lillback talked about the role of religion in government and the influence of religious conservatives in politics. Professor Townsend argues that for too long, the subject of religion has become polarized - politicized by the right and largely ignored by the left. Professor Lillback counters proposed restrictions on Christianity by pointing to the intentions and actions of America’s Founding Fathers. They also responded to questions from members of the audience. Professor DiIulio moderated.


Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, former lieutenant governor of Maryland, is the author of Failing America’s Faithful: How Today’s Churches Are Mixing God with Politics and Losing Their Way, published by Grand Central Publishing. Peter Lillback is the author of Wall of Misconception: Does the Separation of Church and State Mean the Separation of God and Government?, published by Providence Forum Press. He also serves as senior pastor of Proclamation Presbyterian Church in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and as president of Westminster Theological Seminary, where he is also a professor of historical theology. John DiIulio is the author of Godly Republic: A Centrist Blueprint for America’s Faith-Based Future, published by University of California Press. He was the first director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.