State of Belief - Religion and radio done differently.

 Since 2021, a coordinated campaign to censor certain literature, curricula, and ideas has spread like wildfire across American public schools and libraries. The growing movement to ban books has found startling success, and authors and characters representing marginalized communities – including minority faiths – have been disproportionately singled out. As we mark the start […] The post September 30, 2023 – Banned Books Week with Tracie D. Hall and Sabrina Baêta first appeared on State of Belief.

 What insights essential for today’s divided America can be found in the timeless writing of the great James Baldwin? And what recent developments in religion news are likely to resonate throughout our culture, in faith and secular areas alike? On this week’s State of Belief, the weekly radio program and podcast from Interfaith Alliance, […] The post September 23, 2023 – The Gospel According to James Baldwin with author Greg Garrett first appeared on State of Belief.

 Since the beginning, The State of Belief has consistently pushed back against elected officials exploiting their positions of power to impose their own personal beliefs on those whom they serve. While that issue remains pervasive, other politicians have demonstrated that there is a better way – how personal faith can inspire devoted public service […] The post September 16, 2023: Faith and Public Service with Texas Reps Salman Bhojani and James Talarico first appeared on State of Belief.

 From our nation’s founding, religion and politics have been intertwined. But the stereotype of what a “religious activist” looks like and believes is far from the reality. Our nation has a rich history of diverse people of faith fighting for justice, from racial equality, to health care access, to LGBTQ+ rights, the list goes […] The post September 9, 2023: The Real Moral Majority with Rev. Jen Butler first appeared on State of Belief.

 There are desperate needs in this world that religion and interfaith coalitions can address in uniquely effective ways. And a leading expert on the intersection of religion, development and peace joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush on this week’s State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio program and podcast. Dr. Katherine Marshall is Senior […] The post September 2, 2023 – What Good Religion Can Do With Katherine Marshall first appeared on State of Belief.

 The Parliament of the World’s Religions brings together thousands of religious leaders and activists from around the globe and across diverse faith traditions. Interfaith Alliance was honored to participate in this month’s convening in Chicago and meet so many new friends across faith and place committed to fighting the good fight for an inclusive […] The post August 26, 2023 – A Call to Conscience at the Parliament of the World’s Religions first appeared on State of Belief.

 More and more, scholars of religion and history are making a point to differentiate between Christian nationalism – a pernicious and anti-democratic ideology – and white Christian nationalism, a specific manifestation of this extreme movement that has influenced our nation’s policy and structures for decades. Now, a historian and researcher exposes how these themes […] The post August 19, 2023 – The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy with Robert P. Jones first appeared on State of Belief.

 Starting on Monday, August 14th, Chicago, Ill. will play host to a unique week-long global initiative for peace and mutual understanding: the Parliament of the World’s Religions. With a history tracing back to 1893, the Parliament’s convenings attract participants from more than 200 diverse religious, indigenous, and secular beliefs and more than 80 nations. […] The post August 12, 2023 – Preview: Defending Freedom and Human Rights at the Parliament of the World’s Religions first appeared on State of Belief.

 I’m convinced that Christian nationalism makes us bad Christians. -Andrew Whitehead You’ve heard a lot of compelling State of Belief conversations addressing the very real threat of Christian nationalism to American democracy and our pluralistic society. Now it’s time to expand the focus to include the damage American religion itself is enduring from this […] The post August 5, 2023 – American Idolatry with Andrew Whitehead first appeared on State of Belief.

 “You’ve got to view the ban on books and the attempt to stop Critical Race Theory, by which they mean any teaching of the actual history of the country with respect to racism and white supremacy – all of these are efforts basically to condition the children of America, the young people of America, […] The post July 29, 2023 – Protecting Democracy with Congressman Jamie Raskin first appeared on State of Belief.

 Rev. Dr. Derrick Harkins has made his mark in government, religion, and media. The former director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the Department of Housing and Urban Development under President Biden, has also served as director of Interfaith Outreach for the Democratic National Committee, where he also led faith outreach […] The post July 22, 2023 – Staying Awoke with Derrick Harkins first appeared on State of Belief.

 In June, the Supreme Court delivered its ruling in 303 Creative v. Elenis, a case brought forward by Lorie Smith, an evangelical Christian website designer in Colorado who said she should not have to provide services to same-sex couples due to her religious beliefs. The court decided 6-3 that the First Amendment’s free speech […] The post July 15, 2023 – Setbacks from SCOTUS with Elizabeth Reiner Platt first appeared on State of Belief.

 The tables turn this week on The State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast. Our host, Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, will be sitting in the guest chair, as former CBS News White House Correspondent Peter Maer interviews Paul about his first year at the helm of Interfaith Alliance. As the great-grandson […] The post July 8, 2023 – Peter Maer Interviews Paul Raushenbush first appeared on State of Belief.

 From the COVID-19 pandemic to the January 6th insurrection, there’s no shortage of twists and turns the nation has endured in recent years. Underpinning each of these events is a battle over what’s true and what’s false, forcing Americans to more carefully consider where they receive their information. This week on The State of […] The post July 1, 2023 – Kevin M. Kruse, Re-righting History first appeared on State of Belief.

 All this month, Interfaith Alliance and its partners are celebrating Faith for Pride, our annual effort to mobilize people of all faiths and none in support of LGBTQ+ rights. Our work aims to energize faith-based organizations, congregations, and activists around Pride Month and equip them with the tools to support LGBTQ+ justice year-round. On this […] The post June 17, 2023 – Faith for Pride 2023 first appeared on State of Belief.

 Since 2006, our radio show and podcast State of Belief has brought lively and impactful discussions to the homes of Americans across faith and place. Even after more than two decades, there is nothing on the airwaves like State of Belief: our conversations with inspiring leaders illuminate the path to securing equal rights for people […] The post June 10, 2023 – Forward With Bishop William Barber II first appeared on State of Belief.

Nearly three decades ago, Interfaith Alliance was founded to celebrate true religious freedom and to challenge the bigotry and hatred arising from religious and political extremists. Today, that mission is more urgent than ever, as Christian nationalists and their allies try to blur the boundaries between church and state. On this week’s State of Belief, […] The post June 3, 2023 – The None-bers Game With Ryan Burge first appeared on State of Belief.

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.