As Christians, we must understand the times in which we live, especially on the critical issue of religious freedom.
On May 11 Summit Basecamp, speakers Dr. Jeff Myers, John Stonestreet, and Laurence Wilkinson prepared nonprofits, church-goers, and the rising generation to recognize the cultural shift we are experiencing, unpacked how we’ve gotten to this point, and specifically what we can do as Christians.
Faith for Life
Simulcast Recording
Discussion/Reflection Questions
The questions below are designed to help you get the most out of this event. If you are watching with a few people, discuss the questions together. If you are watching alone, reflect and think about the questions. Or gather some friends or co-workers and watch this event as a group.
Dr. Jeff Myers
- Why was it so important to America’s founders to protect religious liberty?
- How would you describe the importance of religious liberty in your own words to someone who doesn’t see the threat?
- Dr. Jeff says that “If we are accused in court of having the convictions that we stand for, we want there to be plenty of evidence to convict us.” What convictions do you think are worth standing for?
- Do you think we can rely on the courts to secure our religious liberty? Why?
- What considerations would stop you from bringing a lawsuit to vindicate your religious liberty?
Suggested Resources
A short video honoring the life of Dr. Mike Adams (a beloved Summit speaker) who tirelessly stood up for religious liberty.
Books
Free to Believe (written by Summit grad)
Letters to a Young Progressive (Dr. Mike Adams)
Stand Strong America (Jason Jimenez)
Religious Liberty in Crisis: Exercising Your Faith in an Age of Uncertainty (Ken Starr)
Religious Liberty in Crisis: Exercising Your Faith in an Age of Uncertainty (Ken Starr)
Media & Videos
Best of Summit: Government and Politics
What Would you Say? short videos
Breakpoint podcast hosted by John Stonestreet
Can we maintain hope in a broken culture? (John Stonestreet)
Is Religious Freedom an Excuse for Discrimination?
Freedom Matters by ADF
Podcast
Schedule
Opening — Megan Almon
What is Religious Freedom? (And Why It’s Good for Everyone) — John Stonestreet
Is religious freedom just an excuse to discriminate against others? In a free society, people will disagree often fiercely about societal and moral issues—issues that religion takes very seriously. However, disagreement doesn’t equal discrimination. Religious freedom is actually good for everyone, not just religious people, since societies with greater religious freedom are more tolerant to everyone’s beliefs. Shifts in culture don’t just happen overnight, so we will explore a brief history of what led to this moment. John will look specifically at HR5 and the Equality Act.
Freedom Under Attack: Why Christians Should Care and How We Must Respond — Dr. Jeff Myers
The most dangerous battle of our time is not between Liberals and Conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, or Blue States and Red States. It is between two competing views of truth. For the first time in history, a majority of people—even Christians—reject the idea that “truth can be known.” As a result, freedom is in peril. In this Basecamp, we are wading into the heat of battle, exploring the precious value of religious freedom, how it is threatened, and what we as Christians must do.
Interview: Standing for Religious Liberty — Laurence Wilkinson
Cases concerning religious liberty are becoming increasingly prominent, with courts frequently being asked to uphold the right to freedom of religion. Just how important are these legal battles to ensuring our freedom? Laurence Wilkinson is Law Clerk with Alliance Defending Freedom – a non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom globally. Laurence has litigated cases concerning religious liberty around the world, and is here to answer your questions about what these cases look like in practice and what trends he is seeing from the front line.
Panel Discussion — Dr. Jeff Myers, John Stonestreet, Laurence Wilkinson and Megan Almon
During the Panel Discussion, the speakers will be taking questions from both the questions you submitted through the registration form and live questions on the Summit Virtual platform.
Is There Any Hope for the Future? — John Stonestreet
Our current cultural moment is full of chaos and deception. Denying reality causes havoc in people’s lives. However, no political movement or militant group can ever put Jesus Christ back in the grave. Our hope in Jesus Christ is not a feeling, nor is it wishful thinking. Our hope is grounded in the reality of seeing things clearly through the perspective of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.