Last week I attended the annual three day Faith Angle Conference conceived and hosted by Michael Cromartie the Vice President at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.  He also directs the Evangelicals in Civic Life program as well as having served on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom from 2006-2010.  (http://eppc.org/scholars/scholarid.10/scholar.asp).  It’s my good fortune that Mike invites me to sit on the “outer circle” of observers who are there to listen but not contribute to the discussion – except during the meals and breaks! 

Every year has different themes and speakers but the format is consistent.  Three presenters make remarks and then the invited journalists and scholars are free to ask questions. For me the opportunity to hear the presentations and questions is one of the highlights of the year.  “For more than ten years the Faith Angle Forum has brought together a select group of nationally respected journalists and distinguished scholars for in-depth discussions of some of the most crucial issues facing Americans today.” 

For those of us who like to follow Michael Gerson David Brooks E.J. Dionne Jeff Goldberg Fred Barnes Sally Quinn Peter Boyer Ross Douthat and others this is an opportunity not taken lightly.  This year was as good as any I have attended.  Dr. Peter Berger the sociologist of religion from Boston University reflected on his career and the lessons he has learned over a lifetime.  Dr. David Campbell professor of American Politics at Notre Dame (and a Mormon) made remarks about “the Mormon Moment” and the upcoming Presidential elections.  Finally Dr. Ard Louis professor of Theoretical Physics at Oxford University presented his thoughts about evolution intelligent design atheism and other light topics!  

I’ve said this every year but feel even more strongly about it now.  If you ever have a chance to sit in on these sessions do it.  Don’t hesitate.  It’s a great investment.