Embassy News & Events

05 September 2007
U.S. Embassy hosts discussion forum on religion in the United States

Sidney Shipton (center left) of the Three Faiths Forum welcomes Professor Alan Wolfe (center right) to a discussion at the U.S. Embassy. (Embassy photo)
Click to view full-size image

On September 5 the U.S. Embassy in London hosted a discussion forum on religion in the United States in association with UK-based interfaith organization the Three Faiths Forum. The featured speaker was Professor Alan Wolfe, Director of the Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life at Boston College, a leading expert on relationships between religion and American culture, society and politics.

Professor Wolfe recognized that many in Europe are concerned with a rightward shift in American society and politics that they fear portends the emergence of a more theocratic state. He countered this notion with a compelling explanation of the history of church-state separation in the United States and its roots and strong support in religious communities. This support remains strong today, reinforced by the broad religious diversity in the United States that gives no faith a dominant position, and thus makes it in the interest of all to preserve strong religious freedom and tolerance.

Professor Wolfe also spoke about social trends in religion and belief in the United States. He proposed that while in the 18th and 19th centuries religion influenced culture in a young America, during the last 100+ years culture has influenced religion. This can be seen in the growth of individualism in American religion, most clearly evident among Evangelical Christians, and also in the way religions become very congregational in the U.S, even those with no such tradition elsewhere.

The event was chaired by Sidney Shipton OBE, Co-ordinator of the Three Faiths Forum, and attended by a group of over 30 prominent guests representing the Christian, Islamic and Jewish faiths and supporters of interfaith dialogue. Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Richard LeBaron greeted the group on behalf of Ambassador Tuttle.

back to top ^