The place of Christian religion in Australian politics will be among the topics addressed by a leading Australian scholar in a public lecture series at Murdoch University in May.

Professor Marion Maddox will also discuss secular education and religious freedom in the three events, which form the 10^th annual Murdoch University International Theologian public lecture series.

Event organiser Rowan Strong, who is Professor of Church History at Murdoch, said it was timely for the Theology discipline to invite an expert in Australian society and theology to lead the lecture series in its 10th year.

“Professor Maddox brings to her lectures a wide academic experience, holding doctorates in both Theology and History from Macquarie University in Sydney,” he said.

“She has held visiting fellowships in France and the Australian National University and has also written extensively on religion and politics in Australia.”

In her most recent publication, Taking God to School: The End of Australia’s Egalitarian Education, Professor Maddox explores the issue of religion in the context of our education system.

Professor Maddox’s first lecture as part of the series is entitled: “We are a Christian nation: Religion and state in the Australian political imagination” and will focus on the place of the Christian religion in Australian politics.

In the second, Professor Maddox will share her views on the role of religion in the Australian education sector; while in the third and final event, she will discuss the broad concept of religious freedom, and the extent to which this is embraced by our nation.

“The Theology Faculty of Murdoch University is looking forward to hosting what promises to be a stimulating lecture series that addresses some of the most pressing issues of religion in Australia today,” Professor Strong said.

The lecture series will be held at Murdoch University on Thursday 10, 17 and 24 May, from 6.30-8.00pm, and is free and open to the public.

Please click on this link for more details or email: arts@murdoch.edu.au for more information.