WILSON, N.C. – September 19, 2023 — Barton College is pleased to welcome Dr. Ryan Burge, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Eastern Illinois University, as the featured speaker for the 2023 Allan R. Sharp Religion in Life Series on Monday, Oct. 2.
The title of Burge’s lecture is “The Rise of the Nones and Future of American Religion, Politics, and Society.” The event will be held at 7 p.m. in Howard Chapel. This program is open to the public at no charge, and the community is invited to attend.
An expert on the decline of church attendance and affiliation in the United States, Burge is the author of “The Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going” (Fortress, 2021) and “20 Myths about Religion and Politics in America” (Fortress, 2022). He also serves as the graduate coordinator at Eastern Illinois University.
Burge has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in addition to four books about religion and politics in the United States. He has written for the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. He also has appeared in an NBC documentary and on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, as well as being featured on 60 Minutes, which referred to him as, “One of the country’s leading data analysts on religion and politics.”
Burge has served as a pastor in the American Baptist Church for more than 20 years and has been married to his wife, Jacqueline, for 16 years. They have two sons, Holden and Reid.
Established in 1991, the Allan R. Sharp Religion in Life Series brings to campus each fall semester distinguished performers and lecturers who focus on topics of practical Christian significance for the general public relating to contemporary issues. This lecture series was named in honor of Dr. Allan R. Sharp, professor emeritus of religion and philosophy, at the time of his retirement. The late Dr. Sharp served on the Barton College faculty from 1953-1991.
For additional information, contact Dr. Rodney A. Werline, Marie and Leman Barnhill Endowed Chair in Religious Studies at Barton College, and director of the Barton College Center for Religious Studies, at rawerline@barton.edu or (252) 399-6447.
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