Religious Pluralism and Women’s Rights with Leigh Larson

Mar 24

Free

In the Cordingly Room: Leigh Larson presents a free lecture based on her award-nominated paper on Women's Rights and Religious Pluralism. 
In describing the talk, Larson says, "How has a secular democracy and religious pluralism been necessary for women’s rights in American history? How has it shaped women of all creeds and colors to be able to vote, work, attend school, own property, and divorce? Come find out at this presentation!" She said. "This presentation is based on a paper I wrote recently. My paper is a finalist for a national publication and I am presenting before the publication’s conference in April in Tennessee." 
The separation of church and state empowered American society to manage morality and legislation amongst its citizens without the tyranny of a singular religion instilled by the State. This secularization of government disrupted what it meant to be a citizen and who could hold power and privileges like no other time in history. No longer bound by one religious doctrine or rule, diverse Americans had the power to influence society and gain suffrage, education, labor, and property and family rights. Many of the advocates used theological and secular arguments to advance their civil rights causes, a methodology that otherwise would not have unfolded in a union of church and state. 
This presentation examines how the combination of a secular government and religious pluralism foster democracy in the United States of America from its founding through 1972.

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