Scholars, civic leaders and journalists discuss religion’s role in telling the story of Texas

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Religion is central to the story of Texas—but its rich complexity often goes untold. Texas is more than the "buckle of the Bible Belt." It's a dynamic mosaic of religions, from the largest number of evangelical Protestants in the U.S. to one of the largest Muslim populations, the second-largest Hindu population, and a rapidly growing group of Texans with no religious affiliation.

How is this diversity of faith represented in the media? What stories are being told—and what’s being overlooked?

On Tuesday, April 8, at Southern Methodist University, The Texas Tribune presented a full-day program on "Telling the story of religion in Texas through journalism" in partnership with the Institute for Diversity and Civic Life, Religion News Service and Southern Methodist University's Religious Studies department.

The symposium’s opening keynote featured Robert P. Jones, founder and president of Public Religion Research Institute, presenting the organization’s polling and research on religious diversity in Texas; the state’s changing religious demographics; support for pluralism versus support for Christian Nationalism in Texas; and attitudes on specific policy issues in Texas.

The day’s first panel, titled “Christian Nationalism and the Texas Public Sphere,” featured David R. Brockman, non-resident scholar in religion and public policy at Rice University's Baker Institute and adjunct professor at Texas Christian University; Mark A. Chancey, professor of religious studies at Southern Methodist University; Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty; and Robert Downen, senior writer at Texas Monthly. The conversation was moderated by Jack Jenkins, national reporter, Religion News Service.

In the afternoon, the conversation turned to “Religion, Migration and Belonging” with Crystal Silva McCormick, visiting assistant professor of evangelism and missions and director of Latinx studies at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary; Rabbi Nancy Kasten, chief relationship officer at Faith Commons; Erica M. Ramirez, senior director at Louisville Institute; and Aleja Hertzler-McCain, a Religion News Service reporter covering Latino faith and American Catholicism. Moderating the conversation was Rachel Schneider, director of Boniuk Institute's Religion and Public Life Center at Rice University.

A panel focused on “Telling the Unheard Stories of Texas” featured Daniel Bolger, assistant professor of sociology at Southern Methodist University; Upneet Kaur, senior education manager at The Sikh Coalition; Rish Oberoi, Texas state director at Indian American Impact; and Sumbel “Susan” Zeb, board of directors, Place 2, Collin County Central Appraisal District. The conversation was moderated by Elizabeth Melton, public engagement director, Institute for Diversity and Civic Life.

The day closed with a reflection on “Where do we go from here?” with Kerby Goff, associate director of research at Rice University’s Boniuk Institute; Tiffany Puett, executive director for the Institute for Diversity and Civic Life; J.B. Smith, editor-in-chief at The Waco Bridge; and Michael W. Waters, lead pastor, Abundant Life African Methodist Episcopal Church, Dallas. The conversation was moderated by Matthew Watkins, editor-in-chief at The Texas Tribune

This daylong symposium was presented by the Institute for Diversity and Civic Life, Religion News Service, The Texas Tribune and Southern Methodist University's Religious Studies department. The event is sponsored by The Eula May & John Baugh Foundation, The Henry Luce Foundation and Humanities Texas.

The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

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