In a nation of ideological and philosophical pluralism, what is the function of religion in the creation of social, ethical, and political consensus? How would the religious dimension of such a consensus affect or limit fundamental notions regarding personal liberties and freedoms in the search for answers to social questions such as prayer in schools, abortion, and national nuclear policies? These questions are addressed by James English, Marjorie Hyer, Martin Marty, Harmon Smith, and Mark Taylor.
At the time of this interview, English was a Jesuit priest at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in Raleigh, N.C. Hyer was religion editor for the Washington Post. Marty, a trustee of the National Humanities Center, was professor of the history of modern Christianity at the University of Chicago and an editor of the Christian Century. Smith, a Fellow at the Center (1982-83), was a professor at Duke Divinity School. Taylor, a Fellow at the Center (1982-83), was professor of religion at Williams College.
This edition of Soundings was conducted by Wayne J. Pond.
