Fostering Civil Discourse Series: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights...'

Join the Clark County Public Library for a lecture series that celebrates and explores America's 250 years. This series is open to all but designed for professional development opportunities for social studies K-12 educators. Teachers can earn continuing education units (CEU) by attending the series.

This is the fourth in a four-part series.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights...."

So begins one of the most famous sentences in American, if not world history. However, its fame and familiarity should not prevent us from asking, Are these truths really "self-evident"? What does this mean? And did the authors really believe that God gave us these rights? What's the significance of our all being "created equal"? This presentation will seek to answer these questions in an open and accessible manner.

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, we will revisit the enduring significance of the Declaration of Independence for who we are as a people, and elucidate the deeper meaning of its timeless truths.

Today's presenter is Nicholas Meriwether, PhD, who taught Political Philosophy and Ethics at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, OH, for 29 years. He is currently a faculty member at the Wright State Civics Center in Dayton. His research interests include natural law, civic virtue, civil discourse, and the philosophical and theological foundations of our constitutional republic. He and his wife, Janet, live in Lebanon, OH.

Registration is suggested but not required for this session. Do so at the Houston Branch circulation desk or by calling 937-462-8047.