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A Social Science Colloquium Panel Discussion titled, “Gay Rights and Religious Liberty: Constitutional Crossroads or Politics as Usual?” will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, in the A. W. Clausen Center for World Business, room 107.

Recent legislative developments in Indiana have set off a national debate about a seeming collision between religious freedom rights on the one hand and efforts to fight discrimination against gays and lesbians on the other.

In private business dealings, do individuals have the right to refuse service to gays and lesbians if their religious beliefs suggest to them that they ought to do so? Does the anti-discrimination law need to extend to privately held beliefs if it is to be effective? Why has this question burst onto the scene now so suddenly, and with such intensity?

Several Carthage professors will participate in an open forum on these and other related questions, treating the topic in all its complexity.

Carthage College Pastor Kara Baylor will address the topic from the point of view of American religious denominations. Jonathan Marshall (Political Science) will discuss the complex political and legal currents that come together to create the current controversy. Tom Powers (Political Science) will take up the legal and constitutional doctrines that are in conflict in the current debate.

After a short formal presentation, most of the time at this public forum will be given over for questions and discussion.

This event is sponsored by the Carthage College Diversity Leadership Council, the Political Science Department, and the Social Science Colloquium.

Everyone is welcome to attend.