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Faith and the Future of American Religion

November 4, 2003
R. Scott Appleby professor, history, Notre Dame
David Brooks columnist, New York Times
Wendy Kaminer civil libertarian, social critic, writer
Peter Steinfels former religion correspondent, New York Times
Alan Wolfe professor, political science, Boston College

Five journalists and scholars explore the changing landscape of American faith, using as a starting point two recent books: A People Adrift: The Crisis of the Catholic Church in America, by New York Times religion correspondent and former Commonwealth editor Peter Steinfels; and The Transformation of American Religion: How We Actually Live Our Faith, by Boston College political science professor and Boisi Center director Alan Wolfe. Steinfels and Wolfe are joined on the panel by R. Scott Appleby, director of the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and professor of history at Notre Dame; David Brooks, a columnist for The New York Times; and Wendy Kaminer, contributing editor of The Atlantic Monthly.

The panel is introduced by moderator Ben Birnbaum, special assistant to the president and editor of Boston College Magazine.

WGBH
Boston College
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Image of A People Adrift: The Crisis of the Roman Catholic Church in America
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Image of The Transformation of American Religion: How We Actually Live Our Faith
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Binding: Paperback, 320 pages
Image of The Future of Liberalism
Author: Alan Wolfe
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