The 2024 elections have not changed the reality that our nation’s democracy remains imperiled, our communities are still divided, and we continue to be apprehensive and exhausted.

Big questions remain, including: What did we learn about ourselves, our nation and our communities in the elections? How did our increasingly inclusive democracy fare? What challenges do we face going forward?
Where can we find hope?

Bruce Gourley is Editor of Church & State magazine, the publication of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. He is a historian (PhD Auburn) and public speaker whose career has long focused on educating about and defending church-state separation. He is also an MSU Osher Lifelong Learning Instructor and the author of nine books. His latest book is Historic Yellowstone National Park: The Stories Behind the World’s First National Park.