The State Of Belief

It’s been a week of surprises since election day on Nov. 8th. While control of both houses of Congress still hang in the balance, conventional wisdom suggests Christian nationalism, election denial and conspiracy theories turned out to be far less effective than feared. The wisdom our guests bring to this week’s State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, however, is anything but conventional – and their take on what happened in the midterms, as well as what our leaders need to do next, makes for compelling listening! In conversation with State of Belief host Interfaith Alliance President Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, Joshua DuBois brings a wealth of expertise on how and where politics and religion meet. After years leading the Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships in the Obama White House, today he’s CEO at two cutting-edge consultancies, Values Partnerships and Gauge.ai, and is one of our country’s top voices on community alliances, issues impacting African Americans, and religion in the public square. Joshua has a lot to say about the US Senate race in Georgia between Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock and challenger Herschel Walker, and shares insights about how progressive faith communities and voters turned out on Nov. 8th. It’s encouraging to hear him recognize that voters seem ready to turn their backs on the extremism and alternate reality that have permeated our politics in recent years. At the same time, he points out we certainly couldn’t take for granted a peaceful election day. And don’t miss the cameo appearance from Joshua’s small son, who thought dad might have gotten hungry doing all these interviews and brought him some bread! Cheryl Contee is another prominent civic and business leader with deep knowledge of messaging as well as of organizing and empowering marginalized persons. She’s CEO of The Impact Seat Foundation as well as founder and Chair of the digital agency Do Big Things. Recognizing how reproductive rights affect not just women but entire families and communities, Cheryl also shares the additional hurdles that continue to make it harder for women, specifically, to run for elected office. Like Joshua DuBois, she believes real-life solutions to real-life problems clearly motivate voters more than ideological and hyperbolic messages do. Beyond sharp analysis, Cheryl’s got concrete, cutting-edge ideas on how progressive faith communities can leverage the potential of technology and social media to create real change in an era when people simply no longer trust organizations. We can’t wait to have you hear it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From coast-to-coast in recent years, we’ve witnessed the reemergence of appalling efforts being made to disenfranchise members of marginalized communities at the ballot box. These actions are why the fight to preserve voting rights for all has been a central focus of the work of many religious social justice groups for years. This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, we’ll hear from several effective advocates about the work they’re doing on the ground to get voters registered and how they’re combating the anti-democratic efforts all around us. It’s a long episode this week – but it’s full of important – and ultimately encouraging – topics. With the battle cry “Our votes are demands,” The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival has made contact with over five million eligible voters from economically marginalized backgrounds. Tireless Campaign co-chair Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis brings the urgency and rationale of raising up all voices as a moral mandate as she joins Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, host of State of Belief, this final weekend before the midterm elections. Voters of all faiths and none are being urged to take a stand against Christian nationalism at the ballot box. Rev. Doug Pagitt, executive director of Vote Common Good, has been touring the country in a big orange bus warning voters about this dangerous ideology and how to spot it. Just days before Election Day, Doug will catch up with Paul from the road about the stakes of this election and the concerns of the voters he’s been speaking with. Many of us looked on with horror as Florida authorities arrested numerous people, former felons, for the crime of believing the government officials who told them they were allowed to vote. Cruel stunts like that are just one example of attempts to undermine public confidence – and suppress participation – in the upcoming midterm election in the Sunshine State. Thankfully, the League of Women Voters is on the front lines pushing back, and this week their League of Women Voters of Florida President Cecile Scoon will join us to discuss their important efforts. And Paul has some parting thoughts to share on in this age of divisiveness, rancor and isolation: we are not alone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Considering the stakes, this year’s midterm elections are far from normal. Recent polling suggests that Christian nationalism could be gaining traction on the right, but fortunately younger generations are resisting its encroachment into public life. Our vote remains powerful, but there is undoubtedly a clear and concerted effort underway by the Political Religious Right and their allies to distort the meaning of religious freedom. This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, we’ll be discussing what to expect on Election Day and just how we got here in the first place. Faith leaders across the country are using the power of the pulpit and adopting creative ways to get their congregations to vote in the approaching midterm elections. Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, CEO of the Skinner Leadership Institute, has long provided inspiring leadership in congregations across the country as well as in the halls of Congress. She joins Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, host of State of Belief, this week to discuss the work she is doing organizing poll chaplains to stand for democracy as part of the initiative Religions United to Save Democracy. No analysis of this midterm cycle is complete without discussing the influence of faith, both in protection of and at odds with democracy. As Christian nationalists are spreading hate and division, interfaith groups are pushing back in defense of our democratic values. Religion News Service national reporter Jack Jenkins is a leading expert on this dangerous movement as well as the brave faith groups combating it, and he joins Paul to share some of what he’s been reporting on heading into the midterm election and where he thinks we go from here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Too often, we encounter stories about how faith is being used to divide us, rather than bring us together. But we all have the power to channel our beliefs into promoting dialogue, compromise, and peace.This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, we’ll be discussing how people of faith can use religion to build bridges across lines of division in their own communities, rather than feeding the debates and arguments that drive us further apart. Founded in 2002 grounded in the belief that religious diversity enriches our communities and should serve as a bridge of cooperation, Interfaith America has evolved from a small Chicago-based nonprofit to a premier national interfaith organization. Their work involves inspiring, equipping, and connecting individuals – and especially young people – and institutions to unlock the potential of America’s religious diversity. Eboo Patel, president of Interfaith America, joins Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, host of State of Belief, discuss the organization’s 20th anniversary, its important work, Eboo’s latest book, We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy, and his new podcast, Interfaith America with Eboo Patel. When President Barack Obama turned to religious leaders and experts to staff the White House Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, he called upon Rev. Fred Davie. From the Obama administration to Union Theological Seminary to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, he’s remained an essential voice on how justice and equity are the pillars of building stronger, more inclusive communities. Fred also serves as senior advisor on racial equity at Interfaith America, which is where Paul catches up with him this week to dive into the important role of religion in this year’s midterm elections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Roe v. Wade was overturned earlier this year, the states became the battleground in the struggle for both reproductive freedom and other critical civil rights. At the state level, for instance, rampant voter suppression targeting Black voters is eroding our democracy further. While national politics are important, state and local politics are often where communities feel the most impact. This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, we’ll discuss the importance of taking action at the local level in the ongoing fight against religious extremism. As the midterms loom and the future of our democracy hangs in the balance, voters will soon be heading to the polls to cast their ballots. Across the country we are seeing candidates running for office on bigoted and anti-democratic platforms – but people of faith and conscience have a crucial role to play in resisting extremist politics. Maureen O’Leary, director of field & organizing at Interfaith Alliance, will join Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, host of State of Belief, to discuss the organization’s affiliate program and the urgent need for grassroots mobilization. Heading into November, each region of the country is facing its own unique challenges. The fight for equality cannot happen in a bubble and will require solidarity between communities across the nation. This week, we’re delighted to have the leaders of three of Interfaith Alliance’s affiliates join Paul to discuss what’s taking place on the ground in their states, how voters are reacting, and their own personal experiences working in interfaith advocacy. You’ll meet Connie Ryan, longtime executive director of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa; Rev. Paul Naamon, President of Interfaith Alliance of Upstate New York; and Rabbi Carl Choper, President of Interfaith Alliance of Pennsylvania. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is no greater threat to American democracy today than Christian nationalism. Ahead of the midterms and looking beyond, Interfaith Alliance is working to sound the alarm on this dangerous ideology and equip members of our community with the tools to further a more inclusive vision of religious freedom. As Interfaith Alliance strengthens these efforts, drawing on three decades of work combating the Religious Right, we’re also excited to welcome our new president and CEO Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush as host of State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast. This week of State of Belief, we’ll explore what Christian nationalism is – and what each of us can do to combat it in our own communities. Christian nationalism may draw on the symbols and language of Christian religious life, but make no mistake – the “Christian” elements of this ideology are more about identity than religion. Its ultimate goal is power for a particular group of Americans, at the expense of all others. Renowned experts on Christian nationalism Dr. Andrew Whitehead, award-winning author and scholar, and Dr. Sabrina Dent, president of the Center for Faith, Justice, and Reconciliation, will join Paul to discuss this rising movement and the danger it poses not just ahead of the midterms, but for democracy writ large. The pernicious influence of Christian nationalism can be felt outside the ballot box, and in our everyday lives. One major way the Religious Right is working to build its narrative is by censoring anyone whose worldview dare diverge from theirs. Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code and Marshall Plan for Moms, and Skye Perryman, president and CEO Democracy Forward, will be with Paul to discuss the cultural impact of Christian nationalism and how we can combat it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Wednesday, September 28th, Interfaith Alliance convened an urgent briefing on Capitol Hill on the subject of Christian Nationalism as a threat to the very fiber of our democracy. Hosted by US Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, it brought together a diverse panel of prominent experts to discuss this growing danger – and strategies for fighting back. This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio program and podcast, you’ll hear highlights of this briefing, led by Interfaith Alliance President and CEO Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush. Paul was joined by activist Wajahat Ali, author of Go Back to Where You Came From: And Other Helpful Recommendations on How to Become American; Texas voting registration advocate and van lifer Tayhlor Coleman; Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Executive Director Connie Ryan; and Evangelicals for Democracy Executive Director Rev. Dr. Richard Cizik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices