The Promise of Pluralism: Religion and Freedom at America 250
_20260910020055PM.png "Photo of guest David Krueger and Imhotep Newsom")
In honor of Trinity Humanities & Arts "Belonging?" and Duke's We the People: Project 250, the Department of Religious Studies will be addressing the possibilities and predicaments of religious belonging, with particular attention to "religious freedom" as a peculiarly American value and preoccupation.
Join us for the first event in this series with guest speaker David Krueger, with opening remarks from Imhotep Newsome. Moderated by Neena Mahadev.
"Promise, Paradox, and Psalm 137: The Politics of Frederick Douglass's Speech, 'What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?'" - Imhotep Newsome
About the speaker:
Imhotep A. Newsome is a Ph.D. candidate in Religion at Duke University, specializing in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament with a minor in Black Church Studies. He holds an M.Div. from Howard University School of Divinity and a B.A. in Classics from Howard University. At Duke, he taught in the Thompson Writing Program and is also a Bass Instructional Fellow. He serves as Co-Coordinator for Teaching & Learning in Duke's Graduate Program in Religion and previously served as Graduate Student Chaplain for Duke Divinity School's Black Seminarians Union.
"The Promise of Pluralism: Religion and Freedom at America 250" - David Krueger
About the speaker:
David M. Krueger is the executive director of the Dialogue Institute at Temple University and co-editor of the Journal of Ecumenical Studies. He is a scholar and educator who is passionate about public history, religious literacy, and civic dialogue.
His areas of academic expertise include American religious history, pluralism, race, and ethnicity. Dr. Krueger is a sought-after lecturer and speaker and has frequently served as a narrator and scholarly contributor on the Science Channel. He received an M.Div from Palmer Theological Seminary, a ThM from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a PhD in religious studies from Temple University.
His book, Myths of the Rune Stone: Viking Martyrs and the Birthplace of America, was published by the University of Minnesota Press. Dr. Krueger is a versatile and seasoned educator who has taught at several area universities and community-based settings.
This event is supported by Belonging? a contribution by the Arts and Humanities departments of Trinity College to We the People: Duke and Durham Initiative. Belonging? is funded by Trinity College and Duke Arts.
