Church and State: A Symposium on Religion and Individual Rights

When:  March 30th, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Where: Washington College of Law, Warren Building Room NT08

What:  This symposium discussed the legal issues surrounding religion and individual rights through two panels.  The first panel, God in the Classroom, discussed legal issues surrounding religion in the context of education, specifically prayer and symbols in school, and LGBTQ students.  The second panel, Heaven and Health, discussed legal issues surrounding religion, health laws, and religious objections.

Symposium Editors Kris and Dalal pose with with the moderator and panelists from the “Heaven and Health” panel. (From left to right Kris Vicencio, Daniela Kraiem, Dalal Hillou, Nadia Sawicki, Heather Shumaker, and Craig Konnoth. (Bio links below in Program Agenda)
Symposium Editors Kris and Dalal pose with the “God in the Classroom” panelists and moderator. Pictured from left to right Matthew Sharp, Mary Catherine Roper, Dalal Hillou, Jonathan Smith, Richard Katskee, and Kris Vicencio
Pictured here is our Keynote Speaker, Elizabeth Sepper, whose presentation, “Contracting for Religion and Its Costs”, was very informative. (Left to right: Kris Vicencio, Elizabeth Sepper, Dalal Hillou)
Symposium audience prepares for the event’s first panel.
Panelist Jonathan Smith making his point on regarding “God in the Classroom”.
Panelists from “Heaven and Health” listen carefully to Craig Konnoth’s comments.

Program Agenda

8:45-9:00 AM : Light Breakfast – Bagels, pastries, fruit, coffee, tea, and water

9:00 AM: Welcome Remarks

  • Kris Vicencio, JGSPL, Volume 26 Symposium Editor
  • Lisa Clark, JGSPL, Volume 26 Editor-in-Chief
  • Dean Lia Epperson, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs

9:00 AM-10:30 AM

Panel One – Heaven and Health:  Panelists will discuss legal issues surrounding religion, health laws, and religious objections.

  • Panel Introduction: Dalal Hillou, JGSPL, Volume 26 Associate Symposium Editor
  • Moderator: Daniela Kraiem, Professor, Washington College of Law
  • Speakers:

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM: Break

10:45 AM – 12:15 PM

Panel Two – God in the Classroom:  Panelists will discuss legal issues surrounding religion in the context of education, specifically prayer and symbols in school, and LGBTQ students.

  • Panel Introduction: Krista Ellis, Incoming Managing Editor, JGSPL Volume 27
  • Moderator: Richard Katskee, Legal Director, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State
  • Speakers:

12:15 PM-  12:30 PM: Break – Hot Lunch

  • Pasta with meat sauce, pasta with marinara sauce (no cheese), house salad, macarons

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM: Keynote Speaker

  • Remarks & Speaker Introduction: David McGee, Incoming Editor-in-Chief, JGSPL Volume 27
  • Keynote: Elizabeth Sepper, Professor, Washington University in St. Louis Law School 

1:15 PM: Closing Remarks – Kris Vicencio & Dalal Hillou

Thank you to all who attended our fall symposium “Sexual Assault: Legal Responses and Institutional Realities”, and a special thank you to the panelists for bringing a wealth of knowledge and insight to the discussion.

Please check the site later for the Digital Copy of Volume 26, Issue 1, dedicated to sexual assault topics related to our Fall Symposium. Digital copies of our publication can be found here.

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