Taking Religion Seriously: A Book Event with Charles Murray – American Enterprise Institute – AEI

With Nicholas Eberstadt | Charles Murray
Event: [email protected]
Media: [email protected] | 202.862.5829


On October 8, Charles Murray and Nicholas Eberstadt of AEI discussed Dr. Murray’s latest book, Taking Religion Seriously. Dr. Murray described the experiences, questions, and inquiries that led him from unreflective agnosticism to religious faith, explaining that as he rigorously examined his prior assumptions, he realized they had been unreflective concessions to the secular zeitgeist.
Delving into cosmology led him to realize it is highly probable that there is intention behind the universe’s existence and to understand that terminal lucidity contravenes what is possible if consciousness is merely material and there are no spiritual realities. Reading C. S. Lewis’s work and realizing the significant role Christians have played in advancing civilization helped Dr. Murray become open to Christianity. He described coming to belief without realizing it, recognizing in himself a reverence for Jesus while also affirming the value of all religions. Dr. Murray urged his readers to expend great effort to study religion, with the promise that such inquiry is an endlessly fascinating adventure.
During the Q&A, Dr. Murray explained why he focused on Christianity, whether he had changed his social science conclusions after becoming religious, and the Holy Spirit’s role in the world.
—Elissabeth Buckles
As a young adult, AEI’s Charles Murray thought he knew that science made religion obsolete. But as he entered his 50s and watched his wife evolve spiritually, Dr. Murray began his own journey. The next 30 years led him to surprising scientific findings in cosmology and the nature of consciousness. C. S. Lewis’s writings led him to reconsider Christianity and the evidence that devout Christians could call upon. He changed his mind about God and Christianity.
“Millions of people are like me when it comes to religion,” Dr. Murray writes in Taking Religion Seriously, “well-educated and successful people for whom religion has been irrelevant.” Join the American Enterprise Institute for a conversation with AEI’s Nicholas Eberstadt and Dr. Murray about why people should take another look at religion.
Charles Murray: Taking Religion Seriously
4:40 p.m.
Registration Opens
5:00 p.m.
Introduction
Nicholas Eberstadt, Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy, American Enterprise Institute
5:05 p.m.
Conversation: Taking Religion Seriously
Participants:
Nicholas Eberstadt, Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy, American Enterprise Institute
Charles Murray, F. A. Hayek Chair Emeritus in Cultural Studies, American Enterprise Institute
6:00 p.m.
Q&A
6:15 p.m.
Adjournment
Taking Religion Seriously
Charles Murray | Encounter Books | October 14, 2025
Taking Religion Seriously
Charles Murray | American Enterprise Institute | April 18, 2014
Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy
American Enterprise Institute
F. A. Hayek Chair Emeritus in Cultural Studies
American Enterprise Institute

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