American Religions in a Global Context

Cultivating Knowledge

The United States is a pluralistic nation that has long prided itself on religious liberty. It is also a nation where religion has historically been one of the deepest sources of polarization. To understand the nation’s past, present, and possible futures, we need to take religion seriously. The American Religions in a Global Context Initiative (ARGC) at Stanford does just that. ARGC supports world-class scholarship, trains future leaders, and offers public-facing conversations on the central role of religion in shaping American ideals and values, political elections, foreign policy, race relations, family life, and attitudes toward the environment and technology. ARGC deepens public awareness of the enduring significance of religion in our nation and world and aims to harness the potential of religion toward justice.