Religion in Government (2004)
Louisiana Public Square

Details
Collection:LPB
Genre: Panel
Place Covered: Louisiana
Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority
Date Issued: 2004-12-15
Duration: 00:53:57
Subjects: Government | Politics | Prayer in the public schools | Abortion | Same-sex marriage | Filmed panel discussions | Religion
Contributors:
- Courtney, Beth Host
- Zewe, Charles Host
- Godoy, Al Producer
- Maestri, William Interviewee
- Cook, Joe Interviewee
- Myles, Tonja Interviewee
- Piper, Michael Speaker
- Minton, Eric Speaker
- Lange, Robert Speaker
- Fletcher, Michael Speaker
- Criss, Zeralee Speaker
- Dickson, Samuel Speaker
- Persac, Jennifer Speaker
- Piershale, Dan Speaker
- Ballemer, Kathy Speaker
- Sword, Bill Speaker
- Daniel, Annie Speaker
- Hargroder, Lee Speaker
- Robin, Johnny Speaker
- Asnes, Irina Speaker
- Hayes, Vicki Speaker
- King, Peter Speaker
- Crump, Steve Panelist
- Mills, Gene Panelist
- Smith, Charles Panelist
- Brun, Judith Panelist
Description
This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from December 15, 2004, features Charles Zewe leading a discussion between the audience members and panelists on the relationship between religion and government. A background report on the topic precedes the discussion. It includes interviews with: Father William Maestri of the Archdiocese of New Orleans; Joe Cook, the director of the Louisiana ACLU; and Tonja Miles, the co-founder of Set Free Indeed. The audience members then discuss: how far government should go in adopting religious values; prayer in public schools; state spending for parochial schools; gay marriage; and abortion. A panel of experts then joins the audience to answer their questions. The panelists are: Reverend Steve Crump, the senior minister at the Unitarian Church in Baton Rouge; Reverend Gene Mills, the executive director of the Louisiana Family Forum; Reverend Charles Smith of the Shiloh Baptist Church in Baton Rouge; and Sister Judith Brun, the former principal at St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge. They discuss prayer in public schools and the relationship between moral values and politics. Hosts: Beth Courtney and Charles Zewe