Task force sets panel talk

SANDPOINT — A panel discussion on Christian nationalism and politics will be presented by the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the First Presbyterian Church, 417 N. Fourth Ave., Sandpoint. This will be an afternoon of information and answering questions. We will hear three speakers in the sanctuary at 2 p.m. and have time for questions after the talks.

Brian Seguin, Public Services librarian at Gonzaga University will speak to legal and historical perspectives. He will examine the constitutional principles of the separation of church and state in the U.S. and how it protects both individual and religious freedoms, providing examples of legal challenges from past to the present.

Sarah Bader, co-producer of the Sons of Patriarchy podcast will discuss, from her own personal experience, how the ongoing intrusion of religious views into our state and national laws are hurting people in their everyday lives.

Kate Bitz, senior organizer at Western States Center, Spokane, will talk about activism and resistance in our communities. She will address how Christian nationalism in our state laws and local ordinances can influence what is taught (or not taught) in our public schools.

 After the three speakers have addressed the audience, they will take time to address one another with observations and questions. At this time, the audience will share their questions with the organizers. Index cards, passed out before the talks, will be vetted to avoid duplicates to give to the speakers.

Afterwards, attendees are invited downstairs to the Fellowship Hall for refreshments. The speakers will each have an individual table to answer any further questions from the participants.