Luther College hosts “Religion in U.S. Diplomacy: From Bush to Biden” by Dr. Shaun Casey

At 7 p.m. Thursday, April 15 Luther College will host Dr. Shaun Casey as he presents "Religion in U.S. Diplomacy: From Bush to Biden." The virtual lecture will examine the strengths and weaknesses of recent U.S. administrations' attempts to incorporate religion into diplomacy. Viewing information can be found at luther.edu/events.

Casey led the State Department's Office of Religion and Global Affairs under the Obama administration. While in this position, he oversaw a group of 30 experts who worked directly with the convergence of religion and U.S. diplomacy. Casey will draw on these experiences to offer an analysis of the successes and failures of the Bush, Obama and Trump administrations' regarding the inclusion of religion in diplomacy, and conclude by laying out what Biden's strategy might be.

"Dr. Casey is one of the nation's premier experts on the relationship between religion and U.S. foreign policy. While leading the State Department's Office of Religion and Global Affairs, Dr. Casey engaged a broad range of religious actors across the globe to work together to solve complex problems and build peace," said Todd Green, professor of religion. "Luther College is fortunate to be able to engage with Dr. Casey during this presidential transition and at a time when religion continues to be a significant factor in global conflicts and human rights challenges from China to India to Europe."

Currently, Casey works as the director of the Berkeley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University which "seeks a more just and peaceful world by deepening knowledge and solving problems at the intersection of religion and global affairs."

Casey has written on the ethics of the war in Iraq, as well the role of religion in American presidential politics. He is the author of "The Making of a Catholic President: Kennedy vs. Nixon 1960" (2009) and co-editor of "The Oxford Handbook of Political Theology" (forthcoming, with Michael Kessler). Casey holds a B.A. from Abilene Christian University, an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School, and an M.Div. and Th.D. in religion and society from Harvard Divinity School.

This event is sponsored by the Luther College Center for Ethics and Public Engagement which aims to extend conversation beyond the classroom by examining assumptions, exchanging ideas and encouraging responsible action in our world.

Luther College is home to more than 1,800 undergraduates who explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 60+ academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.