Central to the life and principles of William F. Buckley Jr., the founder of National Review, was his steadfast Catholic faith. In a famous passage in his first book, God and Man at Yale, Buckley wrote of the cause of protecting Christian civilization against the threat of atheistic materialistic Communism: “I believe the duel between Christianity and atheism is the most important in the world. I further believe that the struggle between individualism and collectivism is the same struggle reproduced on another level.” Buckley’s faith would go on in his career to inform not just his stalwart anti-Communism, but role in the pro-life movement, his determined support for school prayer, and arguably every aspect of his political program.

On the Centennial of Buckley’s birth, this Constitution Day conversation will be an opportunity to reflect not only on how Buckley’s faith shaped his policy as a historical matter, but also on how Buckley’s legacy might or might not continue to shape American religious conservatism in the future as we approach the semiquincentennial of our country.

Speakers:

• Ramesh Ponnuru, Editor, National Review

• John J. Dilulio Jr., Professor and Faculty Director, Program for Research on Religion and Urban Civil Society, University of Pennsylvania

• Robert P. George, Professor and Faculty Director, James Madison Program of American Ideals & Institutions, Princeton University

Moderator:

• Kathryn Jean Lopez, Senior Fellow, National Review Institute

Date: September 17 (6:00 - 8:00 pm)

Program:

6:00 - 7:00 pm: Reception 

7:00 - 8:00 pm: Program 

Location: The Union League of Philadelphia (140 S Broad St, Center City Philadelphia)

To register for this free event, please click the button below. While this event is free and open to the public, space is limited, so please register promptly.