Religious freedom topic of expert's talk tonight

Constitutional scholar and author Dr. David Adler will speak tonight at 7 on "The Constitution and Religion: Origins, Challenges and Accommodations" during a program at the Coeur d'Alene Public Library.

The free program, co-sponsored by the Coeur d'Alene Press and the Idaho Humanities Council, with additional support from the Friends of the Library, will be presented in the Community Room at the library, 702 E. Front Ave.

Some of the points Adler will cover include:

* Origins of the religion clauses of the First Amendment

* Why religious liberty is not an "absolute right"

* Leading Supreme Court cases and challenges to religious liberty

* This week's Supreme Court ruling involving open prayers at city council and other public meetings

"At bottom, the question about religious liberty is the question involving all rights and liberties: What is the scope of freedom, and the authority of government to regulate that freedom?" Adler said. "It's a classic example of civil rights and liberties clashes - governmental power versus individual liberty."

Questions from the audience will be fielded after Adler's talk.