The State Of Belief

In this episode of The State of Belief, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush engages with four distinguished religious leaders and activists from Minnesota: Rev. Susie Hayward, Rev. Dr. Jia Starr Brown, Rev. Dr. Rebecca Voelkel, and Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs.

The discussion centers on the current authoritarian crisis engulfing their community, driven by ICE raids and systemic injustice. Each leader shares their insights on the role of faith in activism, the importance of community, and their personal experiences confronting violence and authoritarianism, both globally and locally. They also explore the historical context of displacement and oppression and the need for solidarity in these turbulent times.

The episode highlights the essential relationships strengthening and encouraging the work of our guests and every activist; the ways creative expression can support resilience; the gift that ritual can be in a time of chaos and crisis; and of course, the role faith can play for individuals and entire movements. The conversation offers valuable lessons on how to engage with and support marginalized communities even in this time of potential personal risk.

 

More About Our Guests:

Rev. Susie Hayward is minister for justice and formation at Creekside United Church of Christ in Minneapolis. She’s a religion and peace scholar, activist, educator, and minister, as well as a longtime leader in faith-based organizing and justice work. Susie spent 14 years at the US Institute of Peace.

Rev. Dr. Jia Starr Brown is an African American pastor, educator, author, and activist with more than three decades of experience advocating for underrepresented communities. With a heart for community and access for all, she stands - and activates - as a truth-teller at the intersection of faith, education, and justice.

Rev. Dr. Rebecca Voelkel is Pastor for Justice Ministries and Director of the Center for Sustainable Justice at Lyndale United Church of Christ, and adjunct faculty at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. She’s the author of the book Carnal Knowledge of God: Embodied Love and the Movement for Justice.

Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs is a Mohican pastor, author, and environmental justice leader who works with Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light. Formerly the Director of Racial Justice and Community Engagement for the Minnesota Council of Churches, Rev. Jim Bear weaves Indigenous spirituality, Christian faith, and climate justice into powerful teachings on healing, land, and community.
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In the latest episode of The State of Belief, we dive into the vital theme of religious freedom as portrayed in the new film, The Testament of Ann Lee. Joining host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush for this enlightening discussion are Interfaith Alliance colleagues and film fans Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons and Alyssa Klein.Here are three key takeaways from the conversation that will resonate with many:

The Intersection of Faith and Feminism: One of the most compelling aspects of The Testament of Ann Lee is its portrayal of a strong female figure in a religious leadership role. Alyssa notes that Ann Lee's story highlights how Christianity and feminism can coexist, challenging the often male-dominated narratives within religious traditions - but also illustrate the unfair gender-based challenges that she faced, and that continue to dominate much of organised religion today.

The Ongoing Struggle for Religious Freedom: Guthrie emphasizes the historical context of Ann Lee's journey, illustrating how her quest for religious freedom in the 1700s mirrors the ongoing struggles many face today. The film serves as a reminder that the fight for true religious freedom is not just about the freedom to practice one's faith but also about ensuring that this freedom extends to all, regardless of their beliefs. This is particularly relevant as we approach Religious Freedom Day on January 16th, a time to reflect on what religious freedom truly means in a diverse society.

Courage in the Face of Adversity: Both guests highlight the courage displayed by Ann Lee and her followers as they faced persecution for their beliefs. This theme of courage is not only relevant to the historical context of the Shakers but also resonates with contemporary movements advocating for social justice and equality. 

Listen to this episode and reflect on how these themes of faith, feminism, and freedom can inspire us in our own lives and communities. Let's continue the conversation about what it means to truly embrace religious freedom for everyone.

More About Our Guests:Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons is vice president of program and strategy at Interfaith Alliance. Author of the book Just Faith: Reclaiming Progressive Christianity, Guthrie holds an MDiv from Union Theological Seminary in New York City and is a fellow at the Center for American Progress Faith and Progressive Policy Initiative. Read Guthrie's column on The Testament of Ann Lee here.Alyssa Klein is a journalist and the creative force behind Interfaith Alliance's social media strategy. With a focus on art, advocacy, and social change, she's worked for prominent causes including the Women's March on Washington. Her writing has appeared in Vice, among other periodicals.
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Happy New Year! In this episode of The State of Belief, Religion News Service reporters Adelle Banks and Jack Jenkins join host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to reflect on a remarkable year at the intersection of religion and public life. Adelle, a veteran journalist covering religion, race, and African-American faith communities, and Jack, a national reporter focused on religion and politics, share insights from their extensive reporting and collaboration at RNS.

Our conversation highlights how religion has shaped key moments in recent American history. Adelle discusses her reporting on houses of worship in the Washington, D.C., area that rallied to support federal workers facing job losses, offering everything from legal help to counseling. Jack examines faith-based resistance to Trump-era immigration policies, including Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde’s widely noted Inauguration Day sermon and lawsuits brought by religious groups advocating for immigrant rights.

We also explore Black ministers pushing back against rollbacks of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, the growing influence of Christian Nationalism in government, and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. military chaplaincy. The episode touches on the election of Pope Leo, the first American pope, and what his leadership could mean for U.S. Catholics.

Throughout, Adelle and Jack share stories of courage, compassion, and activism within religious communities, underscoring the vital role faith continues to play in addressing social and political challenges.

More About Our Guests:

Adelle M. Banks is the projects editor and a national reporter for Religion News Service, where she has covered religion, race, the faith of African Americans, and partnerships between government and religious organizations since joining the organization in 1995. Over a career spanning nearly three decades, she has earned awards including the 2024 William A. Reed Lifetime Achievement Award. Adelle is co-author of the book Becoming a Future-Ready Church: 8 Shifts to Encourage and Empower the Next Generation of Leaders. 

Jack Jenkins is a national reporter for Religion News Service based in Washington, D.C., where he covers the intersection of religion and politics — with particular attention to U.S. Catholics and broader faith trends. He is the author of American Prophets: The Religious Roots of Progressive Politics and the Ongoing Fight for the Soul of the Country. Jack holds degrees in history, religion and philosophy, and a Master of Divinity focused on Christianity, Islam, and media.
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The latest episode of The State of Belief features two incredible guests: attorneys Mary Bonauto, a trailblazer in the fight for marriage equality who serves as Senior Director of Civil Rights and Legal Strategies at GLADLaw, and Ben Marcus, Senior Constitutional Law Fellow at GLADLaw. Together, they share invaluable insights on the current landscape of LGBTQ+ rights, particularly in the wake of recent legal challenges.

Here are just three of the themes that stood out:


The Resilience of Marriage Equality: Mary reflects on the recent Supreme Court decision regarding Kim Davis's attempt to challenge Obergefell v. Hodges (which Mary argued before the high court in 2015). Despite the fears surrounding the potential reversal of marriage equality, the unanimous decision from the Court signals a strong commitment to protecting the rights of same-sex couples. Mary emphasizes that the societal benefits of marriage—providing stability and protection for families—are too significant to overlook. This reinforces the idea that marriage equality is not just a legal issue but a fundamental aspect of human dignity and community well-being.


The Role of Religious Communities: Ben highlights that not all religious individuals oppose LGBTQ+ rights. In fact, many religious communities are allies, advocating for equality and inclusion. This challenges the narrative that LGBTQ+ rights and religious freedom are inherently oppositional. By fostering dialogue within religious spaces, we can create a more inclusive environment that respects diverse identities and beliefs, ultimately enriching our communities.


The Urgent Need for Advocacy in Education: Both Mary and Ben stress the critical situation facing LGBTQ+ youth, particularly transgender individuals, in schools. With increasing hostility and discrimination, many students are
forced to seek education outside of traditional settings. This underscores the need for robust anti-discrimination policies and supportive educational environments. As advocates, we must work tirelessly to ensure that all students feel safe and valued in their schools, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone concerned with understanding the complexities of LGBTQ+ rights in today's society. Join us as we explore these pressing issues and discuss how we can all contribute to a more equitable future.

More about the guests:

Attorney Mary Bonauto has been with GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLADLaw) since 1990. She first fought for marriage equality in
Massachusetts, as lead counsel in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health.  She won, making that the first state to allow same-sex couples to marry, in 2004. In 2015, Mary was one of three attorneys who successfully argued before the Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges, leading to the expansion of the right to marry to all 50 states. Mary is a 2014 MacArthur Genius Grant recipient, and this past January, she received the Presidential Citizens Medal in a White House ceremony.

Ben Marcus is an attorney and Senior Constitutional Law Fellow at GLADLaw, the leading LGTBQ+ legal services and civil rights organization. Ben has a deep interest in the relationship between religion and law, with a JD from Yale Law School and a master’s from Harvard Divinity School. Ben has held multiple positions at the Freedom Forum since 2015.
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This week on The State of Belief: incredible insights from the remarkable Dr. Najeeba Syeed. As a celebrated peacemaker, educator, and scholar in interfaith studies and conflict resolution, Najeeba brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to the conversation. Here are some key takeaways that you'll find both intriguing and inspiring.

Minneapolis is home to the largest Somali community outside of Mogadishu. It’s centered on the Cedar-Riverside Community, which has long been a welcoming place for refugees and immigrants, from Jewish congregations and Protestant refugees to East African immigrants, particularly Somali Americans. The Somali Muslim community here is facing increased scrutiny and enforcement actions by ICE, alongside divisive political rhetoric. In fact, over 80% of the Somali community are U.S. citizens, challenging the justification for targeting them.

Najeeba celebrates the power of interfaith cooperation and unity in crisis, with powerful examples of interfaith gatherings, like a recent meeting hosted by a Muslim imam and a Christian pastor, attended by a supportive rabbi. Acts of emboldened empathy can look like simply showing up to support one another, like attending Friday prayers at mosques, can be a profound act of solidarity.

The appeal of collective punishment is a worrying trend Najeeba identifies across the political spectrum. She warns against narratives that justify collective punishment of entire communities based on the actions of a few. Instead, Najeeba calls for collective empowerment, moving beyond zero-sum thinking to embrace a collective, pluralistic approach to power-building and recognizing that individual and communal flourishing are interconnected.

The episode also features my conversation with Imam Ayman Soliman - granted asylum status way back in 2018 - a beloved chaplain at Cincinnati’s Children’s Hospital seized by ICE and held for ten weeks under threat of deportation. His case activated a wide interfaith network of support and concern.

You’ll also hear about a brand-new public campaign from Interfaith Alliance, a 30-second video ad highlighting the immorality and horror of ICE disrupting religious and secular celebrations of this special time of the year. You can view and share the ad on youtube. And sign your name to the Love, Not Ice campagin today.

More About Dr. Najeeba Syeed:

Najeeba is a celebrated peacemaker, educator, and scholar in interfaith studies and conflict resolution, serving as the inaugural El-Hibri Endowed Chair and Executive Director of the Interfaith Institute at Augsburg University. She has more than two decades of experience in mediation, restorative justice, and social equity work. With communities in Minnesota being targeted for capricious enforcement of ICE policies, it is invaluable to have an expert witness and effective leader to share her insights with us.
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