State of Belief - Religion and radio done differently.

The majority of faith groups and congregations across the country are inspired by their traditions to celebrate the inherent dignity and worth of all people, including the many beloved LGBTQ+ members of their communities. But an extremist minority is working to distort the meaning of religious freedom to discriminate against those who identify or believe differently than […] The post Faith for Pride 2023 first appeared on State of Belief.

If there’s one thing our age demands, it’s courage. Courage for solidarity with the marginalized; to uphold principle; and to live with integrity. A powerful book on the subject has just been published by Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, the Epicopal bishop of Washington, DC, How We Learn To Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life […] The post May 27, 2023 – How We Learn to be Brave, Bishop Mariann Budde first appeared on State of Belief.

There may be different motives behind the widespread othering of Black and LGBTQI+ Americans today, but the tactics are, sadly, effective – and dangerous to our very democracy. Worse, religious rhetoric gets dragged into the conversation even as books on historical racism get banned and some 500 anti-LGBTQI+ bills proliferate in statehouses across the country. […] The post May 20, 2023 – The White Mother I Never Knew, John Blake first appeared on State of Belief.

In recent years, American evangelical identity has become so closely associated with only its most politically conservative, religiously narrow, and culturally white claimants. Today, white evangelicals are considered to be the most reliable supporters of the Republican Party and its political candidates. This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, […] The post May 13, 2023 – Experts on Evangelicalism: Brad Onishi and Isaac Sharp first appeared on State of Belief.

The vast majority of Americans reject religious extremism – but that doesn’t mean the anti-democratic Christian nationalist movement isn’t a dangerous force to be reckoned with. This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is joined by Eric K. Ward, executive vice president at Race […] The post May 6, 2023 – Eric Ward: A Punk Prescription for Building Community first appeared on State of Belief.

Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month provides us with an opportunity to recognize and appreciate Sikhs as an integral part of communities across America. Today, 19 states and numerous cities have adopted resolutions acknowledging the month. This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush explores the […] The post April 29, 2023 – Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month first appeared on State of Belief.

Faith should be a bridge not a bludgeon. And yet, the Religious Right continues to weaponize religion to attack our LGBTQ+ siblings, religious minorities, and access to reproductive health care. This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush speaks with guests at the forefront of […] The post April 22, 2023 – Dora Muhammad: Faith and Planned Parenthood first appeared on State of Belief.

We are seeing religious rhetoric and moral authority misused in many parts of our society. In state legislatures, the kind of sectarian language that would have never been uttered just a few years ago has become commonplace. And religious agendas are turning up at every level of government. In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis is enacting […] The post April 15, 2023 – Summit for Religious Freedom: AU’s Rachel Laser first appeared on State of Belief.

Holy Week culminates with the arrival of Easter, a time when Christians gather to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus – the triumph of life over death. While Holy Week provides a time for prayer, worship, and community, the power of faith language to draw people together continues to be misused – most recently to feed […] The post April 8, 2023 – Living Easter with Bishop Mariann Budde first appeared on State of Belief.

Passover starts this year at sundown on Wednesday, April 5. A sacred holiday for the Jewish people, congregations this year are taking extra precautions ahead of this year’s holiday after antisemitic incidents have reached a record high in the United States. Joining host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush on this week’s State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s […] The post April 1, 2023 – Rabbi Jonah Pesner: Passover Together first appeared on State of Belief.

Movements are made up of individuals – each with fears, biases, relationships and beliefs. That’s why understanding – and if needed, countering – any movement requires a close and empathetic look at the individuals comprising it. Otherwise, it’s just too easy to fall into the paralyzing “those people are all insane” dismissiveness so many Americans […] The post March 25, 2023 – Jeff Sharlet, The Undertow first appeared on State of Belief.

Antisemitism in this country has seen a resurgence few could have predicted just a few years ago. On State of Belief, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is conducting a series of conversations about the history, strategy, impact and manifestations of bigotry and conspiracy theories aimed at our Jewish neighbors. Even more, we’re exploring ways dedicated […] The post Confronting Antisemitism first appeared on State of Belief.

This week, many Muslim Americans will begin observing the holy month of Ramadan. A time of intense spiritual discipline, and fasting during the daylight hours from dawn to dusk, Ramadan allows for contemplation of one’s relationship with God, intensive prayer, charity, and study of the Quran. As the seasons of Lent and Ramadan cross over […] The post MARCH 18, 2023 – Najeeba Syeed: A Peacemaker at Ramadan first appeared on State of Belief.

2023 is already a record year for anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the U.S, with at least 385 anti-LGBTQ+ laws having been introduced at the state level as of March 3. This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, Maharat Rori Picker Neiss, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of […] The post March 11, 2023 – Majorities at the Margins first appeared on State of Belief.

As we turn the calendar page to March, celebrated as Women’s History Month, this week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast we’re excited to be speaking with Rev. Jennifer Bailey, founder and executive director of Faith Matters Network. Nowadays, there are endless opportunities for connecting along intersecting identities and priorities. […] The post March 4, 2023 – Rev. Jen Bailey, Creating Community Across Divisions first appeared on State of Belief.

As technology offers unprecedented opportunities for building alliances – and at the same time, division and rancor – The Rev. Adam Taylor is meeting the moment by working to create communities for people united in their passion for social change. This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, Adam walks […] The post February 25, 2023 – A New Vision With Rev. Adam Taylor first appeared on State of Belief.

Americans may have defeated Christian nationalist candidates at the ballot box this past November, but the ideology’s influence still pervades our public life. That was the main takeaway from new survey data released last week, the most comprehensive poll to date on support for Christian nationalism across the nation. This week on State of Belief, […] The post February 18, 2023 – Christian Nationalism By the Numbers first appeared on State of Belief.

At a time when we’re witnessing an alarming erosion in the rights of women, surging racism, increasing antisemitic rhetoric and violence, and growing attempts to erase the truth of queer identity and experience, it’s crucial for us to be able to turn to leaders who can articulate a powerful, positive moral mandate for a more […] The post February 11, 2023 – Rabbi Sandra Lawson: Power in Positivity first appeared on State of Belief.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is making national headlines once again, this time for being the impetus for College Board gutting its AP African American studies curriculum. The same people pushing to turn the United States into a Christian nation are working to erase the history of Black and Brown Americans, making it easier to spread […] The post February 4, 2023 – Fighting for Freedom in Florida and Beyond first appeared on State of Belief.

This past Wednesday, Interfaith Alliance released the comprehensive new report Big Tech, Hate and Religious Freedom Online. As a part of that release, Interfaith Alliance hosted an expert panel discussion, moderated by State of Belief host Rev. Paul Raushenbush. On this week’s show, you’ll hear the warnings and strategies the panelists. Zaki Barzinji is the […] The post January 28, 2023 – Big Tech, Hate and Religious Freedom Online first appeared on State of Belief.