October 22, 2025
9am - 6pm
Trinity Commons
New York City
God, Government and the Algorithm: The New Rules of Belief and Power
God, Government and the Algorithm: The New Rules of Belief and Power
Religion is being reshaped —by political polarization, technological disruption, and shifting cultural norms. Join Religion News Service for a free, one-day event that dives into the big questions: Who has the power to define belief today? And what comes next?
For nearly a century, RNS has reported on faith with depth and independence. In October, we’re bringing together some of the sharpest thinkers—journalists, scholars, activists, philanthropists, and spiritual leaders—for bold conversations on the future of religion in public life. Seats are limited, and the lineup is still building. Save your spot today.
Religion is being reshaped —by political polarization, technological disruption, and shifting cultural norms. Join Religion News Service for a free, one-day event that dives into the big questions: Who has the power to define belief today? And what comes next?
For nearly a century, RNS has reported on faith with depth and independence. In October, we’re bringing together some of the sharpest thinkers—journalists, scholars, activists, philanthropists, and spiritual leaders—for bold conversations on the future of religion in public life. Seats are limited, and the lineup is still building. Save your spot today.
Religion is being reshaped —by political polarization, technological disruption, and shifting cultural norms. Join Religion News Service for a free, one-day event that dives into the big questions: Who has the power to define belief today? And what comes next?
For nearly a century, RNS has reported on faith with depth and independence. In October, we’re bringing together some of the sharpest thinkers—journalists, scholars, activists, philanthropists, and spiritual leaders—for bold conversations on the future of religion in public life. Seats are limited, and the lineup is still building. Save your spot today.
Our speakers
CEO, Religion News Foundation; Publisher, RNS
Associate Director and Senior Fellow, Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, Georgetown University
Editor-at-Large, America Media
National Reporter, RNS
President, HIAS
Reporter, RNS
Senior Fellow, Center for Public Justice; Founder, Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance
Event Host/EP, RNS
CEO, Religion News Foundation; Publisher, RNS
Associate Director and Senior Fellow, Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, Georgetown University
Editor-at-Large, America Media
National Reporter, RNS
Event details
What is RNS?
Religion News Service (RNS) is an independent, non-profit source of global news on religion, spirituality, culture and ethics. It was founded in 1934 as an independent, non-profit affiliate of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. From the start, it has been dedicated to providing objective news about religion. Today, RNS is a wholly owned entity of the Religion News Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, with the charitable purposes of (i) advancing the public understanding of religion and (ii) facilitating, informing, and improving religious literacy and encouraging public discourse about religion in a neutral and informative way.
What is this event about?
What’s the schedule/program?
When and where is the RNS Symposium?
Where should I stay?
What’s the cost to attend?
Can I attend without registering?
Can I participate remotely?
How can I support this event?
What accessibility options will you offer?
Will I be photographed?
Do you have a non-solicitation policy?
What’s your code of conduct?
What is RNS?
Religion News Service (RNS) is an independent, non-profit source of global news on religion, spirituality, culture and ethics. It was founded in 1934 as an independent, non-profit affiliate of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. From the start, it has been dedicated to providing objective news about religion. Today, RNS is a wholly owned entity of the Religion News Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, with the charitable purposes of (i) advancing the public understanding of religion and (ii) facilitating, informing, and improving religious literacy and encouraging public discourse about religion in a neutral and informative way.
What is this event about?
What’s the schedule/program?
When and where is the RNS Symposium?
Where should I stay?
What’s the cost to attend?
Can I attend without registering?
Can I participate remotely?
How can I support this event?
What accessibility options will you offer?
Will I be photographed?
Do you have a non-solicitation policy?
What’s your code of conduct?
What is RNS?
Religion News Service (RNS) is an independent, non-profit source of global news on religion, spirituality, culture and ethics. It was founded in 1934 as an independent, non-profit affiliate of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. From the start, it has been dedicated to providing objective news about religion. Today, RNS is a wholly owned entity of the Religion News Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, with the charitable purposes of (i) advancing the public understanding of religion and (ii) facilitating, informing, and improving religious literacy and encouraging public discourse about religion in a neutral and informative way.
What is this event about?
What’s the schedule/program?
When and where is the RNS Symposium?
Where should I stay?
What’s the cost to attend?
Can I attend without registering?
Can I participate remotely?
How can I support this event?
What accessibility options will you offer?
Will I be photographed?
Do you have a non-solicitation policy?
What’s your code of conduct?
Event schedule
Stay tuned for more details about the day’s agenda.
Program Statement: As AI and social media reshape how Americans access information and build communities, religious organizations are increasingly entangled in today’s policy and political debates. God, Government and the Algorithm explores how technology is influencing faith, how faith is influencing politics, and what happens when both are shaped by forces few fully understand.
With the second Trump administration redrawing the political map and culture war flashpoints multiplying by the week, religious organizations are not just responding to the news cycle—they’re shaping it. Through discussion and analysis, we’ll examine how religious leaders, lawmakers, and tech companies are negotiating questions of authority.
Stay tuned for more details about the day’s agenda.
Program Statement: As AI and social media reshape how Americans access information and build communities, religious organizations are increasingly entangled in today’s policy and political debates. God, Government and the Algorithm explores how technology is influencing faith, how faith is influencing politics, and what happens when both are shaped by forces few fully understand.
With the second Trump administration redrawing the political map and culture war flashpoints multiplying by the week, religious organizations are not just responding to the news cycle—they’re shaping it. Through discussion and analysis, we’ll examine how religious leaders, lawmakers, and tech companies are negotiating questions of authority.
OCT 22, 2025
Mark your calendar
Scenes from last year's 90th anniversary
Scenes from last year's 90th anniversary
Last year, Religion News Service marked its 90th anniversary in New York City, with speakers and panels that drew clear parallels between the world of the 1930s and today, and highlighted the role journalism can play in providing hope.
"Some of the panels were truly extraordinary. The setting was fantastic; it was great to be in New York, a beautiful and appropriate facility that offered both in- and outdoor options. Good AV, good food, good networking downtime without it being too much or too long. Great gift bags!"
"The speakers offered a fascinating range of expertise. There were plenty of networking breaks and the opportunity to get outside."
"I thought the people who were present were amazing, and I really appreciated the size of the event. It was small enough that people could interact and engage."
"A wonderful gathering of smart, engaged people with a passion for religion.The panels were well-organized and the breaks for networking were a great idea. As a panelist myself, I was impressed with the level of detail and planning that occurred before the event. "
"Some of the panels were truly extraordinary. The setting was fantastic; it was great to be in New York, a beautiful and appropriate facility that offered both in- and outdoor options. Good AV, good food, good networking downtime without it being too much or too long. Great gift bags!"
"The speakers offered a fascinating range of expertise. There were plenty of networking breaks and the opportunity to get outside."
"I thought the people who were present were amazing, and I really appreciated the size of the event. It was small enough that people could interact and engage."
"A wonderful gathering of smart, engaged people with a passion for religion.The panels were well-organized and the breaks for networking were a great idea. As a panelist myself, I was impressed with the level of detail and planning that occurred before the event. "
"Some of the panels were truly extraordinary. The setting was fantastic; it was great to be in New York, a beautiful and appropriate facility that offered both in- and outdoor options. Good AV, good food, good networking downtime without it being too much or too long. Great gift bags!"
"The speakers offered a fascinating range of expertise. There were plenty of networking breaks and the opportunity to get outside."
"I thought the people who were present were amazing, and I really appreciated the size of the event. It was small enough that people could interact and engage."
"A wonderful gathering of smart, engaged people with a passion for religion.The panels were well-organized and the breaks for networking were a great idea. As a panelist myself, I was impressed with the level of detail and planning that occurred before the event. "
"Some of the panels were truly extraordinary. The setting was fantastic; it was great to be in New York, a beautiful and appropriate facility that offered both in- and outdoor options. Good AV, good food, good networking downtime without it being too much or too long. Great gift bags!"
"The speakers offered a fascinating range of expertise. There were plenty of networking breaks and the opportunity to get outside."
"I thought the people who were present were amazing, and I really appreciated the size of the event. It was small enough that people could interact and engage."
"A wonderful gathering of smart, engaged people with a passion for religion.The panels were well-organized and the breaks for networking were a great idea. As a panelist myself, I was impressed with the level of detail and planning that occurred before the event. "
"Some of the panels were truly extraordinary. The setting was fantastic; it was great to be in New York, a beautiful and appropriate facility that offered both in- and outdoor options. Good AV, good food, good networking downtime without it being too much or too long. Great gift bags!"
"The speakers offered a fascinating range of expertise. There were plenty of networking breaks and the opportunity to get outside."
"I thought the people who were present were amazing, and I really appreciated the size of the event. It was small enough that people could interact and engage."
"A wonderful gathering of smart, engaged people with a passion for religion.The panels were well-organized and the breaks for networking were a great idea. As a panelist myself, I was impressed with the level of detail and planning that occurred before the event. "
"Some of the panels were truly extraordinary. The setting was fantastic; it was great to be in New York, a beautiful and appropriate facility that offered both in- and outdoor options. Good AV, good food, good networking downtime without it being too much or too long. Great gift bags!"
"The speakers offered a fascinating range of expertise. There were plenty of networking breaks and the opportunity to get outside."
"I thought the people who were present were amazing, and I really appreciated the size of the event. It was small enough that people could interact and engage."
"A wonderful gathering of smart, engaged people with a passion for religion.The panels were well-organized and the breaks for networking were a great idea. As a panelist myself, I was impressed with the level of detail and planning that occurred before the event. "
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