Karen Scott is a member of the ReligiousLiberty.TV Advisory Panel.
Freedom FROM Religion or Freedom FOR Religion?
A Seminar Covering Eight Sundays at Pioneer United Methodist Church
Time: 9 AM Sundays Room 102
Dates: October 17, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21, 28, and December 5, 2010
209 E Birch St
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 525-1870
http://www.pioneerww.org/Pioneer_UMC/Home.html
Freedom FROM Religion or Freedom FOR Religion explores religious freedom in the Western World. Events from Europe, Colonial and Revolutionary America, and America in the 19th century all provide insight for the current discussion regarding the place of religion in America. A constant topic of discussion even before the founding of America, church-state separation continues to provoke strong reactions. Does the doctrine of church-state separation protect liberty of conscience? Does it provide freedom for religion or freedom from religion? During eight Sundays, key vignettes from history and their role in shaping America will be considered in attempting to answer these questions.
Christian nations and secular societies, religion and the state, church-state separation, and religion in America are actually subtle and complex topics, with many factors, twists and turns. Among topics looked at are the Reformation in Europe, religion’s role in the colonies and Revolutionary America, the Religion Clauses of the First Amendment, and the Constitution in relation to the Christian Reform Movement of the 19th century. Film, original writings and petitions will be utilized along with a selected bibliography.
Karen Scott’s interest in religious liberty began in childhood when she read about the Reformation. While a child, she could never understand why people should be persecuted, tortured and killed for a belief, or why anyone would be willing to give up everything for such an intangible. As she grew older and began understanding the importance of one’s conscience, the answer became clear and influenced her decision to become an attorney.
After a client lost his job due to his religious convictions, she argued his case before the Supreme Court of Canada. The Court’s decision continues to protect religious convictions and belief in the Canadian workplace and also opened the doors for workplace accommodation for the disabled. In California she monitored legislation to ensure protection for liberty of conscience and private education. As a member of the State Bar of California, she worked as In-House Counsel for Educational Media Foundation, the parent corporation of the KLOVE and Air 1 radio networks. Currently, Karen sits on the board of Center for Liberty of Conscience, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and protecting liberty of conscience. She is also a speaker with Humanities Washington’s Inquiring Minds and is a candidate for a Master of Studies in International Human Rights Law from the University of Oxford.