Thursday, September 7

American Values, Mental Health, and Using Technology in the Age of Trump sponsored by Baylor University
“American Values, Mental Health and Using Technology in the Age of Trump” — the latest analysis from the Baylor Religion Survey — examines four themes: The religious, political and ideological values of Trump voters; mental health and religion in America today; the geography of religion and the intersection of technology and religion. Participants were 1,501 adults chosen randomly from across the country to respond to the survey, designed by Baylor University scholars and administered by the Gallup Organization.

• Paul Froese, Baylor University

• Jerry Park, Baylor University

• Lindsay Wilkinson, Baylor University

A Battle of Church and State, Examining Topical Controversies sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation
Two constitutional attorneys examine topical controversies.

• Rebecca Markert, Freedom From Religion Foundation

• Andrew Seidel, Freedom From Religion Foundation

Lunch sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation
FFRF Co-President Dan Barker talks on freethought, explaining the notion and its history.

Autism, AI, and Robots: From Intervention to Inspiration sponsored by AAAS|DoSER
The fields of robotics and artificial intelligence have fascinated scientists and non-scientists alike for decades. Once primarily explored through science fiction, robots and AI are increasingly a part of our daily life. From robotic vacuum cleaners and self-driving vehicles to robotic interventions for autism and virtual health coaching, these technologies are reshaping our lives and have broad implications for the future.

• Moderator: Lauren Markoe, Religion News Service

• Maithlee Kunda, Vanderbilt University

• Nilanjan Sarkar, Vanderbilt University

• Paul Scherz, the Catholic University of America

AI and Narrative Intelligence: Can Machines Tell Better Stories? sponsored by AAAS|DoSER
The fields of robotics and artificial intelligence have fascinated scientists and non-scientists alike for decades. Once primarily explored through science fiction, robots and AI are increasingly a part of our daily life. From robotic vacuum cleaners and self-driving vehicles to robotic interventions for autism and virtual health coaching, these technologies are reshaping our lives and have broad implications for the future.

• Moderator: Christine Scheller

• Deborah Johnson, University of Virginia

• Mark Riedl, Georgia Institute of Technology

Pew Research Center Surveys
Pew Research Center will present findings from two new research reports, one focused on the U.S. and one focused on Western Europe, coinciding with this year’s 500th anniversary commemorations of the Reformation. The reports will examine Catholics’ and Protestants’ views of each other, questions related to faith and the Bible, and historical knowledge questions. The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion with the Center’s leading religion researchers and two Reformation experts.

• Kathleen Crowther, University of Oklahoma

• Tal Howard, Valparaiso University

Welcome reception sponsored by “I CAN ONLY IMAGINE” movie

Beer & Hymns: The Role of Music in Faith
In Nashville, folks gather in churches, arenas, living rooms and honkey-tonks to raise their voices in songs about every part of life—including faith. This panel explores the role that group singing plays in faith traditions, and includes an interactive, interfaith sing-along, led by Nashville's "Beer and Hymns" ensemble.

• Moderator: Dave Perkins, the Religion in the Arts Contemporary Culture Program at Vanderbilt University

• Frank Byers, Church at Spring Hill

• Robert King, Lipscomb Academy

• Sarah Levine, West End Synagogue

• Geoff Little, Beer & Hymns Nashville

Friday, September 8

Power networking breakfast

Welcome & announcements

Faith & Fossil Fuels
Questions of faith are never far from debates over the use of fossil fuels, whether they involve global warming, jobs and economic growth, fracking, mountaintop-removal coal mining and ground-level pollution. In this panel, we learn how people have drawn on diverse faith traditions to support or oppose fossil-fuel extraction — or to find some middle way of accommodating such activities within limits.

• Moderator: Peter Smith, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

• Mike Erp, Alden Resources LLC

• Gabriel Fried, New Vindraban

• Joseph Witt, Mississippi State University

• Niki Wong, Redeemer Community Partnership

The Future of the Bible Belt
Welcome to Nashville! This Southern city is often called the buckle of Bible Belt, a stronghold of white evangelical religion and culture. But the region is changing as religious diversity grows, demographics shift and secular groups rise. The cultural dominance of Christianity is fading, but white Christian America isn’t dead yet, especially in the Bible Belt.

• Moderator: Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio

• Grant Hasty, Crossroads Community Baptist Church

• Gayle Jordan, Recovering from Religion

• Frank Stevenson, City of Grace Church and Tennessee State University

• Steve Stone, Memphis Friendship Foundation

Lunch sponsored by “The Star” movie

Covering Religious Hate in Trump’s America
What are the current trends and reports regarding hate crimes toward Jews, Muslims and other minorities? Is there a relationship between anti-Israel sentiment and anti-Semitism? How does the landscape of U.S. hate crimes compare with hate crimes in Europe and elsewhere? How much influence does the current climate of divisiveness in the U.S. contribute to hate crime trends? How much of a role does religion play? This panel will examine those questions from perspectives of researchers who have studied hate crimes as well as victims of hate crimes.

• Moderator: Linda K. Wertheimer, author

• Daoud Abudiab, Faith & Culture Center

• Leonard Saxe, Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies and the Steinhardt Social Research Institute

• Simran Jeet Singh, Sikh Coalition

Religious Freedom for All? Under-the-Radar Conflicts Between Faith and Law
Battles over religious liberty have been fought in recent years — from Twitter feuds to the Supreme Court — focused mainly about religion and the workplace (Hobby Lobby and the Little Sisters about health insurance, same sex couples versus bakers/florists, workers wanting to wear religious garb.) But religious liberty battles often take place over issues like zoning or religious practice — especially for faiths that are out of the mainstream or controversial.

• Moderator: Duane Gang, The Tennessean/USA TODAY NETWORK

• Kathleen Flake, University of Virgina

• Jenna Gray-Hildenbrand, Middle Tennessee State University

• Ralph Hood, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

• Dwayne Leslie, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Wine and cheese reception sponsored by Auburn Seminary

Dinner sponsored by Faith Counts

Explore Nashville: An Adventure for Everyone

Saturday, September 9

Breakfast sponsored by “GENESIS: PARADISE LOST” movie

The New Revivalists
During the 2016 presidential campaign, pentecostals and charismatics such as Paula White, John Hagee and many others came to the fore, but few people understood their traditions or who these people were. Also during 2016, there were revival meetings in churches in Kentucky, Seattle, San Diego and other places on the west coast that are connected to a network of apostolic revivalists that few reporters have heard about. We aim to give reporters a primer about all these trends.

• Moderator: Julia Duin, GetReligion.org

• James Goll, God Encounters Ministries

• Holly Pivec, Spirit of Error blog

• Paula White, News Destiny Christian Center & Paula White Ministries

Tools of the Trade: Pitch Perfect: Tips for Freelancers and Editors Who Need Them
Freelancers and editors rely on each other, but navigating that relationship can be frustrating for all parties involved. This panel aims to demystify some of those challenges. Veteran freelancers—and editors who work with them—will talk about the best way to find each other, build relationships, send pitches, follow up on unreturned emails, and negotiate decent pay.  We'll also include a panelist who has navigated the road from working full-time at a media outlet to freelancing.

• Moderator: Jeff MacDonald, freelance reporter

• Steve Cavendish, Nashville Scene

• Dennis Coday, National Catholic Reporter

• Deborah Jian Lee, Religion Dispatches

• Tiffany Stanley, Religion & Politics

Tools of the Trade: Reporting on LGBTQI+ Rights and Religion in Sub-Saharan Africa sponsored by the Arcus Foundation
In Sub-Saharan Africa, as in much of the world, reporting on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression can be tricky. Cultural taboos, entrenched stereotypes, social hostilities, legal prohibitions and editorial censorship often distort coverage of these sensitive topics. Add religion to the mix and producing responsible journalism on sexual and gender minorities can seem impossible. On this panel, reporters from across Sub-Saharan Africa will share their perspectives on media freedom challenges and opportunities in the region.

• Moderator: Brian Pellot, Religion News Foundation

• Ambrose Barigye, Kuchu Times

• Martha Mukaiwa, freelance

• Mana Udobang, Multichoice Nigeria

Lunch and data release sponsored by LifeWay Research
Experts from LifeWay Research will present embargoed findings from their latest research on the well-being and stressors of Protestant pastor spouses.

Walking tour: downtown Nashville

Silent auction

Awards banquet