The State Of Belief Podcast Por Interfaith Alliance arte de portada

The State Of Belief

The State Of Belief

De: Interfaith Alliance
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 Every week, Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush hosts lively, funny and poignant conversations with inspiring religious and civic leaders; as well as artists and activists from across the country. Listeners get a potent mix of spiritual wisdom, political strategy, and hopeful commentary from national and local leaders who are rising up to meet this urgent moment in America. With the tagline: “Where Religion and Democracy Meet,” State of Belief is a celebration of our nation’s diversities and an invitation to join together to, in the words of the great James Baldwin, "achieve our country.”© 2023 Espiritualidad Política y Gobierno
Episodios
  • Whither America? July 4th with Dr. Robert P. Jones

    Whither America? July 4th with Dr. Robert P. Jones
    Jun 28 2025
    What does falling off a bike have to do with the state of our nation? Is America going through an identity crisis - just like a seventeen-year-old? This week on The State of Belief, these parallels are part of the conversation with host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush and Dr. Robert P. Jones on America's first 249 years, and what's to come as the country approaches 250. All while they ask themselves the question: “How Bad Is It?” On this Independence Day episode, Paul and his guest, who is president and founder of Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), explore: PRRI’s recent polling on the Trump Administration: “Democracy at Crossroads: How Americans View Trump’s first 100 Days in Office,” and some of the misconceptions that have arisen. From De Tocqueville to Trump, how the notion of “creed” has developed over time, shaping the current state of religious freedom in America. How we can meaningfully celebrate Juneteenth and July 4th together - and why we should! Towards the end of the episode, Robby leaves us with a powerful reminder of civic responsibility: “... whether it's inside a home, inside a business, inside a church or a synagogue or a mosque, there are roles for all of us to play because there is a fight going on, for - I know Biden used this term maybe a little too much, but I do think it's true - this kind of the soul of America really is, in many ways, at stake right now.” Where to find Robby Jones: Bookmark the PRRI website, where a wealth of invaluable research is regularly posted for free. Check out Robby’s bestselling books, The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy, and the Path to a Shared American Future; White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity; and The End of White Christian America. Subscribe to his Substack, White Too Long, where he frequently posts on religion, White Christian Nationalism, and protecting a pluralistic democracy. Have you heard these recent episodes of The State of Belief? June 24, 2024: On Diversity and Democracy with Wajahat Ali June 14, 2025: A Pastor Reports from the Front Lines in Los Angeles: Faith and Immigration Please share this episode with one person who would enjoy hearing this conversation, subscribe, and thank you for listening!
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    44 m
  • On Diversity and Democracy With Wajahat Ali

    On Diversity and Democracy With Wajahat Ali
    Jun 21 2025
    This week on The State of Belief, popular writer and commentator Wajahat Ali joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush for a thought-provoking exploration of patriotism, diversity, and democracy in today’s politically charged climate. Waj shares his unique perspective on the responsibilities that immigrants and citizens face amid the continuing societal impacts of the Trump administration's policies. Together, they unravel the moral and ethical dilemmas of maintaining integrity in chaotic times, while drawing on historical and religious narratives to emphasize the importance of long-term justice and equality. Life is more than serving a cause we believe in, no matter how urgent that may be. And so they reflect on balancing professional aspirations with personal commitments. Waj opens up about his daughter’s passion for dance and her journey as a cancer survivor, juxtaposed with his career in writing and advocacy. They also tackle the power of storytelling in political activism and its role in challenging misinformation and fear-based tactics. The conversation delves into important themes, including: Navigating Patriotism, Diversity, and Democracy: Paul and Waj discuss the challenges faced by immigrants and citizens in a fascist political climate, emphasizing the importance of ethical grounding and personal responsibility. Finding Purpose and Superpowers: Waj has inspiring things to say about the roles available to each of us, if we’re truly interested in making a difference. There are strengths everyday citizens bring, even if that’s integrity and honesty as an act of resistance to corruption and lies. Christian Nationalism and Authoritarianism: Christian Nationalism demands the suppression of diverse stories in the service of a single self-serving narrative. It uses fear and ignorance to advance a specific kind of White Christian agenda, targeting, in turn, LGBTQ, Black, Muslim, and Jewish communities – and leaving no room, in the end, even for dissenting White Christians like Mike Pence. Wajahat Ali is the author of Go Back to Where You Came From and Other Helpful Recommendations on How to Become an American. He has a very popular Substack, The Left Hook With Wajahat Ali, and co-hosts The Democracy-ish Podcast. Waj is a Daily Beast columnist, a writer, television commentator and keen observer of what this country seems to be doing to itself. The child of immigrants, he's an invaluable contributor to the conversation around patriotism, diversity and democracy.
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    1 h y 1 m
  • A Pastor Reports from the Frontlines In Los Angeles: Faith and Immigration

    A Pastor Reports from the Frontlines In Los Angeles: Faith and Immigration
    Jun 14 2025
    This week on The State of Belief, an inspiring conversation with Rev. Noel Andersen, the National Field Director for Church World Service and a dedicated advocate for immigrant rights. In this episode, he joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to delve into the pressing issues surrounding immigration enforcement, the role of faith communities, and the ongoing fight for justice in the face of adversity. Here are three key takeaways that stand out: The Reality of Court Raids: Noel shares firsthand accounts of ICE agents conducting raids at courthouses, targeting asylum seekers who are simply following the legal process. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for awareness and action within our communities. The Power of Faith Communities: Throughout the episode, the focus is on the vital role that faith leaders and religious organizations play in advocating for immigrant rights. Noel emphasizes the importance of building relationships with impacted communities and using our moral voices to challenge unjust policies. The Broader Fight for Democracy: The conversation also touches on the intersection of immigration and democracy. Noel articulates how the current administration's tactics are part of a larger strategy to destabilize democratic values. This is a call to action for all of us to engage in the fight for democracy, not just for immigrants but for the integrity of our society as a whole. The episode wraps up with Paul’s words from the June 10th Faith Rally for a Moral Budget at the US Capitol, as well as a conversation he recorded at that event with two of the leaders attending from Iowa: Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Executive Director Connie Ryan and Rev. Heather Wachendorf. Listen to this powerful episode and reflect on how you can contribute to the ongoing struggle for justice and equality. Together, we can amplify the voices of those who are often silenced and work towards a more inclusive future. Rev. Noel Andersen is the National Field Director for Church World Service where he has developed a national network of faith communities taking action in solidarity with immigrants and refugees. He is ordained in the United Church of Christ (UCC) and is the lead organizer and co-founder of the UCC National Collaborative on Immigration, a grassroots network of UCC leaders taking action for immigrants’ rights. Noel works at the intersection of faith and justice, mobilizing religious communities to resist unjust immigration enforcement, including ICE raids in Los Angeles and beyond. Please share this episode with one person who would enjoy hearing this conversation, subscribe, and thank you for listening!
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    1 h y 9 m
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