2016 Keston Public Lecture: Dr. Julie DeGraffenried

On Thursday, April 16, the Keston Center for Religion, Politics and Society hosted a public lecture, "God and Grandma: Soviet Anti-Religious Policies and the Battle for Childhood." Dr. Julie DeGraffenried, Associate Professor of History at Baylor University, delivered the presentation. The Department of History and the McBride Center for International Business co-hosted the event which was held in the Michael Bordeaux Research Center on the 3rd floor of Carroll Library.

Dr. deGraffenried’s presentation examined the anti-religious campaigns of Soviet authorities through the eyes of a child and considered the conflicts between state and family and tradition and modernity, focusing on the children affected by these policies. “The Soviet Union gives us a case study to explore and think about state efforts to regulate and/or eradicate religion.” Said DeGraffenried. “In this day and age, when religious freedom (or the lack of it) has become front-page news, historical examples can provide insight into current issues.”

The Keston Center for Religion, Politics and Society promotes the research, teaching, and understanding of religion and politics in communist, post-communist, and other totalitarian societies.