The Faith Angle Forum held its semi-annual Conference on Religion, Politics & Public Life December 5-7, 2004 in Key West, Florida. The series brings together a select group of nationally respected journalists and distinguished scholars for in-depth discussions of cutting-edge issues at the intersection of religion and public life. Under the leadership of Michael Cromartie, Vice President at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, the Faith Angle Forum provides extended discussion and the kind of deep reflection that is not always possible in today’s fast paced world of breaking news.
Conference topics:
“Religion, Rhetoric, & the Presidency”
Michael Gerson, Speech Writer & Policy Adviser to President George W. Bush
Carl Cannon, White House Correspondent, National Journal
“Bioethics & Human Nature: Exploring Some Background Issues”
Dr. Gilbert Meilaender, Richard & Phylllis Duesenberg Professor of Christian Ethics, Valparaiso University; Member, President’s Council on Bioethics
William Saletan, Chief Political Correspondent, Slate
“The Surge of the Shi’is in Iraq & its Implications for the Middle East”
Dr. Yitzhak Nakash, Fellow, Middle East Program, The Wilson Center
Franklin Foer, Editor, The New Republic
Select Press & Blog Coverage:
- “The Man Who Puts Words in the President’s Mouth Defends His Style,” Elisabeth Bumiller, New York Times, January 17, 2005
- “The Log and the Speck,” Ross Douthat, The American Scene, January 16, 2005
- “Gerson Talks Religion,” Terry Eastland, The Weekly Standard, December 23, 2004
- “A Hot Line to Heaven,” John Parker, The Economist, December 16, 2004
- “There’s Power in the Words,” Terry Mattingly’s “On Religion,” December 15, 2004
- “White House Speechwriter Talks About the Bush Code,” Ted Olsen, Christianity Today blog, December 14, 2004
- “Bush’s References to God Defended by Speechwriter,” Alan Cooperman, Washington Post, December 12, 2004
- “Bush Hardly a Zealot,” Kathleen Parker, Orlando Sentinel, December 8, 2004
* * *
Participants:
David Brooks, Columnist, The New York Times
Elisabeth Bumiller, White House Correspondent, The New York Times
Alan Cooperman, Religion Correspondent, The Washington Post
E.J. Dionne, Columnist, The Washington Post
Clare Duffy, Producer, “NBC Nightly News”
Terry Eastland, Publisher, The Weekly Standard
Barbara Bradley Hagerty, Religion Correspondent, NPR
Jody Hassett, Producer, “ABC World News Tonight”
Melinda Henneberger, Contributing Editor, Newsweek
Jane Little, Religious Affairs Correspondent, BBC
Terry Mattingly, Columnist, Scripps Howard News Service
John Parker, Washington Bureau Chief, The Economist
Kathleen Parker, Columnist, Tribune Media Services
Hanna Rosin, Editorial Writer, The Washington Post
David Shribman, Executive Editor and Vice President, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Rebecca Sinderbrand, National Affairs Reporter, Newsweek
Jay Tolson, Senior Writer, U.S. News & World Report
David Van Biema, Religion Editor, Time Magazine
Steve Waldman, Editor-in-Chief, Beliefnet
Kenneth Woodward, Contributing Editor, Newsweek