Young Scholars Lecture: "East Meets West: Orthodoxy and Protestantism in Comparative Perspective"

Monday, July 21, 2025
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Smyrna Public Library, Meeting Room
Light refreshments will be served.

Presentation:
What role does religion play in defining leadership and political values in different parts of the world? This talk explores how Eastern Orthodoxy and Western Protestantism have influenced national identity, political values, and concepts of leadership across diverse societies. Drawing on historical and contemporary examples, it examines how these two religious traditions shape ideas about authority, law, and the relationship between church and state.

Presenter Biography:
A Campbell High School graduate, Katya Burklin is an undergraduate researcher at Emory University focusing on the intersections of religion, politics, and extremist ideology. Her honors thesis explores how apocalyptic theology fuels political violence in both right-wing Christian and jihadist movements, shedding light on the powerful role of faith in contemporary conflicts. She also supports research projects in the Political Science Department related to governance and representation in diverse contexts. Katya’s academic interests include religious nationalism, comparative authoritarianism, and the strategic use of theology in shaping political authority.