Jewish Law, Co-Sponsored by Law and Religion

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In the current climate, the term “Judeo-Christian” is most likely deployed by cultural conservatives arguing in favor of traditional family structures and for an enhanced role for traditional religion in the public square. The goal of this panel is to analyze the history and contemporary usage of this phrase from a variety of religious, historical, and jurisprudential perspectives so to refine debates about current usage, and explore when, how, and to what effect the term entered public discourse. Uncovering the usage and meaning of this phrase will deepen our understanding of how religious groups form political alliances, unearth the shifting theological commitments of both Jews and Christians, and offer a window into how a variety of Americans conceptualize the religious charter and character of the United States.