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.