Evangelicals for HIA

We arrived bright in early at NYU on Monday, which trumped Packer with its comfortable chairs, air conditioning and free breakfast, not to mention its location right in the heart of the village (sorry Nick). The subject of the day was religiosity. We began with Randy Balmer, who defined evangelicalism for us:
1) The biblical text is taken literally and the text is seen as normative.
2) The concept of the conversion or experience in which one is “born again.”
3) The responsibility to evangelize or bring others into the fold.
We discussed how evangelism has become a force in politics, beginning (not, with Roe V. Wade) but with the election of Carter, a “born again Christian,” in the wake of the Nixon scandal. He also mentioned that as Churches grew that the three concepts of evangelism have been professionalized. Moreover, we discussed how evangelism has become a force for conservatism that has little basis in the three concepts. For example, we talked about how the movement that spearheaded some of the anti-slavery movements gained racist tendencies. We wondered to what extent the religious tenements really influenced the beliefs of the religious right. However, Balmer argued that the religious right is on the wane.

Next up was John Washburn. He spoke mostly about co-opting the support of evangelicals for the International Criminal Court.

Peter Skerry was next up, after a quick lunch break where most of got Indian food. He spoke about Muslims in the US, speaking mostly about how the situation of Muslims has completely changed since 9/11. We talked about Muslim American identity, and the prejudices of the American public.

Finally, we ended with Bill Eskridge, whose southern eloquence kept us all awake at 4:30 in the afternoon. Behind him he drew a detailed picture of the united states split into three regions (see below)



Region 1 was called the “benign” region, meaning that gays and lesbians are mostly accepted into society. In these states there are anti-discrimination laws, and in some cases same-sex marriage.
Region 2, are the “tolerable” states. They often tolerate gays and lesbians but they will not extend rights like marriage.
Finally, region 3 hold the opinion that gays and lesbians are “malignant,” they are the most likely to have statutes and regulations explicitly discriminating against gays and lesbians.

We talked about “no-promo-homo” laws, which are laws that discriminate against LGBT individuals. And we also talked about the historical progression that Eskridge sees.
Privacy Rights (such as sodomy laws) -> Anti-Discrimination laws -> Relations Laws

Since Lawrence V. Texas anti-sodomy laws have been struck down. The next step in Eskridge’s view is to push for anti-discrimination laws in the workplace. He feels that they are both achievable, important and palatable to the public. By allowing more gays and lesbians to feel comfortable in the workplace, they can pave the way for future rights.

Later that evening a few of us explored some of NYC’s best restaurants through restaurant week, yum.

(Kayla, Jendrek, Jason, Katharina)