Episode 90.

Are you a museum goer? Are you interested in the history of religion in America? Is religious freedom in America important to you? If you answered yes to any of those questions, today’s episode will speak to you. Chris Stevenson has been developing the National Museum of American Religion for 15 years. Currently a digital-first project, Chris and his team began the Religion in the American Experience podcast as a stepping-stone to exhibits. They are also talking about a traveling exhibit. The key questions are: What has America done to religion and what has religion done to America?

Highlights:

· Religious freedom in America

· the National Museum of American Religion project

· Religion in the American Experience podcast

· Smithsonian vs. private structure

· Mobile museum: religion's pandemic journey

· Exploring positive lived religion

Bio:

Chris has worked as a teacher, systems engineer, and consultant. He has a B.S. in applied physics and Masters degrees in education and agricultural engineering. His passion is buttressing civil society, and in 2000 he founded the non-profit Community Levee Association. After that he founded America’s Quilt of Faith, Faith2SelfGovern, then the National Museum of American Religion project.

References:

• Harvard University Pluralism Project, founded by Prof. Diana Eck
• Article 6 of the US Constitution
• 1st Amendment of the US Constitution

Social Media links for Chris:

• National Museum of American Religion
• Religion in the American Experience
• Facebook
• Instagram
• X (Formerly Twitter)
• LinkedIn

Transcript on Buzzsprout

More Episodes with Mormons:

• Margaret Agard
• Zachary Davis
• Rick Bennett

Social Media links for Méli:

• Website – the Talking with God Project
• Meli’s email
• LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
• Facebook – Meli Solomon

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The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project.