Published: Feb. 1, 2005

Conscience and the Free Exercise of Religion was the banner for scholars gathered at Colorado Law for the 12th Rothgerber Conference, named in honor of Law School benefactor Ira C. Rothgerber, Jr., '35. Prominent law and religion scholars Kent Greenawalt of Columbia and Steven Smith of San Diego were featured in a broad discussion of religious freedom issues, ranging from particular to abstract. The conference was jointly sponsored by the Law School's Byron White Center for the Study of American Constitutional Law, the Political Science Department's Keller First Amendment Center, and the University of Colorado Law Review, which will publish conference papers.The conference centered on several presentations. Professor Martin Belsky presented 'A Practical and Pragmatic Approach to Freedom of Conscience.' Professor Gregory Sisk presented 'An Empirical Study of Religious Freedom Decisions' and Professor James Nickel presented on 'Constituting Freedom of Religion.' This was followed by Professor Kevin Worthen speaking on 'Liberty v. Equality: The Native American Experience with Religious Freedom', Professor Kent Greenawalt on 'Free Exercise and Parental Custody,' and Professor Steven Smith on "What Does Religion Have to Do with Freedom of Conscience?"