News Article

The Gonzaga Socratic Club will present “Faith Votes: Religion in the 2008 Presidential Election” at 4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 19 at Gonzaga University’s College Hall, Room 101. The event is free and open to the public.

Religious voters play a particularly important role in U.S. elections. For several decades, Republican candidates in U.S. elections have had the support of conservative Christian evangelicals. The so-called “Reagan Democrats,” who are often traditionalists on social issues but more liberal on labor and economic issues, and who are often Roman Catholic, have been less predictable in national elections. Democratic candidates for president in this election cycle have made concerted efforts to reinvigorate their appeal to religious voters. What effects have these efforts had? What is the current dynamic of religious participation in the presidential election?

Gonzaga philosophy Professor Douglas Kries will address these questions at the event. A response will be offered by Gonzaga political science Assistant Professor Joseph Yi.

The Gonzaga Socratic Club, modeled after the Oxford Socratic Club, seeks to promote open philosophical inquiry into the Christian worldview. In the spirit of Socrates, their aim is to “follow the argument wherever it leads” concerning the truth of Christian doctrine and practice.

Anyone interested in philosophical inquiry into Christianity is welcome to participate in the activities of the Gonzaga Socratic Club. Meetings are held once a month during the academic year. Fall 2008 meetings will be held on Fridays from 4-5:30 p.m. on Sept. 19, Oct. 24 (in conjunction with Gonzaga Fall Family Weekend), Nov. 14, and Dec. 5. The current schedule of the Gonzaga Socratic Club's activities can be seen on the club’s Web site. 

For more information, contact David Calhoun at (509) 323-6743 or via e-mail.