News Conferences

10/10/07: The Role and Impact of Religion in the 2008 Presidential Election
Featuring: Diana Eck, Welton Gaddy, and Amy Caiazza

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9/19/07: The Impact of Religion on Immigration
Featuring: Kim Bobo, Peggy Levitt, and Manuel Vasquez

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A Ford Foundation project

Religion and Culture: Meeting the Challenge of Pluralism is an initiative of the Ford Foundation, and explores the role of religious traditions in helping to shape social values and institutions.

The Ford Foundation partnered with Douglas Gould & Co., Inc, a public interest communications firm, through 2007 to increase diverse voices in the public discussion of cultural and religious pluralism. More information is available at www.douglasgould.com.


Now is the time to amplify the unique voices of diverse clergy, scholars of religion, and activists in the public debate on religion and society.

Resource Guide, 2006

This resource guide was created in response to suggestions from journalists seeking new, varied, and accessible sources on religion, society, and culture.

Here, you will find experts on religion and politics, human and civil rights, sexuality, bioethics, immigration, and poverty, along with their direct contact information.

The American religious landscape is increasingly pluralistic and international religious issues are increasingly complex. These diverse scholars and activists—including Rev. Welton Gaddy, Elaine Pagels, and Leila Ahmed—are now available to offer fresh and insightful interpretations of current events. They can analyze the religious connection inherent in every social issue and the role of religion in strengthening democratic values.

Sources and Areas of Expertise

Leila Ahmed
Women, Islam, & America

Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na'im
Islam, human rights, & international law

Linda Barnes
Religious and cultural understandings of illness and healing practices

Kim Bobo
Religion and the rights of immigrants and workers

Bernadette Brooten
Race, religion, & sexuality

Karen McCarthy Brown
Urban & immigrant religions

Rev. Clare Butterfield
Religion and the environment

Sujatha Byravan
Social, ethical, and environmental implications of new genetic technologies

Linell Cady
Religion and public life in the United States; religion and conflict

Amy Caiazza
Women's social, religious and political participation

Lou Cristillo
Education and development in the Muslim world; Muslims in New York City

Diana Eck
Religious pluralism and religious traditions of India

Rev. Dr. Marie M. Fortune
Abuse by religious leaders, & domestic violence in the military

Rev. Welton Gaddy
Religion, politics, & society

Susannah Heschel
Feminism and Judaism, & History of Biblical Scholarship

Dwight Hopkins
Religious practices and spirituality in combating poverty

Karen King
Women in ancient Christianity, orthodoxy and heresy, & the bible and modern debates about pluralism

Anne C. Klein
Buddhism; mysticism and daily life

Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum
Homosexuality, civil rights, & Judaism

Gary Laderman
U.S. Religious history; science and religion; religion and popular culture

Peggy Levitt
Religious transnationalism

Rev. Dr. Deborah Little
Street ministry to the homeless

Andrew Lustig
Religion, science, & morality

Ebrahim Moosa
Islamic thought

Karen Olson
Faith-based organizing to reduce poverty

Jacob K. Olupona
African immigrants in the U.S. and their religions

Elaine Pagels
Concepts of "evil" in Judaism, Christianity, & Islam

Heidi Ravven
Ethics, philosophy, & religion

Theda Skocpol
Women, race, & civic engagement

Wayne te Brake
Religion, war, & society

Manuel Vasquez
Religion in Latin America and among U.S. Latinos

Religion and Culture: Meeting the Challenge of Pluralism is an initiative of the Ford Foundation, and explores the role of religious traditions in helping to shape social values and institutions. The Ford Foundation has partnered with Douglas Gould & Co., a public interest communications firm, to increase diverse voices in the public discussion of cultural and religious pluralism. More information is available at www.douglasgould.com.

© 2002–2008 Douglas Gould & Co., Inc.