Don’t let high school juniors and seniors miss a chance to win up to $2,000! Entries for the Religious Liberty Essay Scholarship Contest must be postmarked by March 1.

The contest, sponsored by the Religious Liberty Council of the Baptist Joint Committee, is open to all high school students in the graduating classes of 2013 and 2014. This year, the scholarship money has increased: Grand prize is $2,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C. Second prize is $1,000, and third prize is $250.

To enter the contest, eligible students must write an essay of 800-1,200 words addressing the following:

 

The United States of America was religiously diverse at its founding. Its population included numerous Protestant groups, small Catholic and Jewish populations, those who practiced traditional Native American religions as well as those who practiced African religions. The United States has become even more religiously diverse, yet Christianity has remained the majority faith tradition since the country’s beginnings. Today, some Americans assert that the country was founded as a “Christian nation” while others contend that statement is a myth. Using the Constitution and writings of the Founders, research and evaluate the claim that the United States was founded as a “Christian nation.” Include a discussion of the current implications for religious freedom for all people in a democratic country in which the majority rules in elections and ballot initiatives.

 

Contest forms and complete rules are available online at www.BJConline.org/contest. Winners will be announced in the summer of 2013. If you have questions, contact Cherilyn Crowe at 202-544-4226 or [email protected].

 

From the January 2013 Report from the Capital. Click here for the next article.