The State Of Belief

• Ye Gods: Scott Carter 's Journey from Comedy to Spiritual Exploration

  This week The State of Belief features the fascinating Scott Carter, creator, executive producer, and host of the Ye Gods with Scott Carter podcast. In this episode, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush and Scott explore the intersections of belief, doubt, and the moral codes that guide us. Notable ideas include: The Power of Intentional Curiosity: Scott shares his transformative journey following a near-death experience due to asthma. This epiphany moment led him to make a profound commitment: to engage openly with discussions about religion and spirituality without sarcasm or dismissal. His intentional curiosity opened doors to understanding diverse beliefs and perspectives, showing that being open-hearted can lead to deeper connections and insights. Art as a Spiritual Medium: Throughout the conversation, Scott emphasizes the role of art in exploring spirituality. He believes that creativity can serve as a powerful conduit for understanding and expressing our beliefs. Whether through theater, comedy, or storytelling, art allows us to engage with complex themes of existence and morality. Navigating Life 's Challenges with Compassion: Scott's experiences in the competitive world of television, particularly on shows like Politically Incorrect, taught him the importance of compassion in every interaction. He shares how he strives to treat everyone—guests, colleagues, and audiences—with respect and love. Be sure to hear this enlightening episode as we explore these themes and more! Scott’s insights are not only thought-provoking but also serve as a guide for navigating our own beliefs and interactions in a complex world. More About Scott Carter and Ye Gods Scott Carter is the creator, executive producer, and host of the Ye Gods with Scott Carter podcast, where he invites comedians, writers, thinkers, and artists to talk about belief, doubt, and the moral codes that guide them. Scott has 21 Emmy nominations and many, many industry awards for his work in television, where he served as producer and writer for shows like Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher and Real Time with Bill Maher. He's been a stand-up comedian. He's also a playwright whose works cover culture, spirituality, and storytelling. They've been produced in cities all across the US and abroad. The Ye Gods podcast gets into the spiritual beliefs and guiding principles of a variety of guests, going in depth with notable individuals from various fields with no judgment and no agenda. Ye Gods is created with Southwest Florida's WGCU Public Media and is distributed by the NPR Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• "We're not going to let you take our tradition": A Beautiful Year with Diana Butler Bass

  "The feeling of not being alone is probably one of the most powerful tools we have." The latest episode The State of Belief features Dr. Diana Butler Bass. As an award-winning author, speaker, and theologian, Diana brings a wealth of insight to the intersection of faith, spirituality, and contemporary issues. In this episode, we dive deep into her new book, A Beautiful Year: 52 Meditations on Faith, Wisdom, and Perseverance, and explore the importance of community, the power of alternative narratives, and the call to courage in these challenging times. The conversation includes: The Power of Gathering: Diana shares her journey of creating community through her online newsletter, The Cottage. Initially hesitant to see herself as a gatherer, she discovered the profound impact of bringing people together, especially during the isolating times of the pandemic. Reclaiming the Christian Calendar: Host Paul Brandeis Raushenbush and Diana discuss how the Christian calendar offers an alternative structure of time that can ground us in hope and resilience. She emphasizes that this calendar is not just a relic of the past but a living tradition that can help us navigate the complexities of our current world. Courage to Stand Against Injustice: Diana encourages us to tap into our best selves and draw inspiration from historical figures who have stood up for justice and peace. She reminds us that while Christianity has often been misused to support oppressive systems, there is a rich tradition of resistance and compassion within the faith. This call to courage is not just for Christians but for all of us, as we seek to help each other get through these challenging times. It's a thought-provoking episode about exploring how we can reclaim our narratives, foster community, and find the courage to stand up for what is right. Diana Butler Bass is an award-winning author, speaker, and theologian whose books include Christianity after Religion: The End of Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening, and Freeing Jesus, among many others. The latest, A Beautiful Year: 52 Meditations on Faith, Wisdom, and Perseverance, will be published on November 4. Her Substack, The Cottage, remains among the top five religion-oriented newsletters on the site. Please share this episode with at least one person you think would enjoy the conversation! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• The Faithful Fight Against Authoritarianism with Rev. Chloe Breyer

  “What we will do will not be enough. That, however, is not the reason for not doing anything." The latest episode of The State of Belief features the inspiring Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer, Executive Director of the Interfaith Center of New York. Rev. Chloe and host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushebush dive deep into the intersection of faith, activism, and community engagement in today's complex landscape. Here are three key takeaways: The Power of Nonviolent Resistance: Rev. Chloe emphasizes the importance of nonviolence in our current socio-political climate. Drawing from historical figures like Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., she highlights how faith communities can harness the strength of peaceful protest to stand against violence and injustice. Interfaith Collaboration is Essential: The episode sheds light on the vital role that interfaith work plays in fostering understanding and solidarity among diverse communities. Rev. Chloe shares insights from the Interfaith Center of New York, which has been a beacon of hope and collaboration since its founding. Courage in the Face of Adversity: Rev. Chloe speaks candidly about the weight of responsibility that comes with being a faith leader in today's world. She defines courage not just as the absence of fear, but as the willingness to act despite it. This perspective is particularly relevant as we navigate the challenges posed by authoritarianism and social division. For 18 years, Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer has been leading the Interfaith Center of New York, the most religiously diverse and civically engaged network of grassroots and immigrant religious leaders across the five boroughs of New York City. Ordained in the Episcopal tradition, Rev. Chloe has also been a priest at St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Harlem since 2011. As a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, she has participated in interfaith dialogues and humanitarian initiatives in countries such as Afghanistan and Iran. And Rev. Chloe served as a clergy advisor on transition teams for New York City's mayor and Manhattan District Attorney. Rev. Chloe is the daughter of retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. Please share this episode with one person you think would enjoy the conversation! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Faith Rising for Democracy: How to Show Up for No Kings, With Adam Friedman

  The latest episode of The State of Belief features Adam Friedman, organizing and election strategist at Interfaith Alliance. In this episode, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush and Adam dive deep into the significance of the upcoming No Kings demonstration on October 18th and the vital role of faith communities in advocating for democracy. The discussion emphasizes: ·      The Power of Collective Action: Adam emphasizes that democracy is under threat, and now is the time to take to the streets and assert a commitment to a government "of the people, by the people, for the people." The No Kings demonstration is not just a protest; it's a celebration of democratic values and a powerful reminder that authoritarianism is not a foregone conclusion. ·      Faith as a Catalyst for Change: Adam highlights the essential role that people of faith play in social movements. Faith traditions have a rich history of advocating for justice, and by showing up, we can bring our moral voices to the forefront of the fight for democracy. ·      Know Your Rights and Stay Safe: In preparing for the NoKings demonstration, it's crucial to understand everyone’s fundamental rights as protesters. Adam reminds us that the rights to free speech, assembly, and religious expression are fundamental to our identity as Americans. Don’t miss the Interfaith Alliance webinar on The Sacred Tradition of Protest on Tuesday, October 14th.  All the details are available at interfaithalliance.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• League of Women Voters CEO Celina Stewart: Courage is Not the Absence of Fear

  This week, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is joined by Celina Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of the League of Women Voters. They get into the way the League’s work has evolved over the past 105 years, with a focus on expanding access to the ballot, as well as on voter education, protecting voter rights, and strengthening civic engagement. Celina traces her own journey from discovering the League during her college years to leading it as a voting rights attorney. She reflects on the League's history, including its founding in 1920 and its progressive role in enfranchising women and marginalized communities. She emphasizes the organization’s current focus on voter protection and civic courage in the face of modern voter suppression tactics. Celina advocates for widespread participation in democracy through actions like the League's “Unite and Rise 8.5” initiative, aiming to mobilize millions of voters, as well as the national Vote 411 campaign. The conversation also highlights the importance of knowledge in reducing misinformation as well as combating disinformation, and underscores the civic duty to show up courageously against injustices – even if one has to do it in circumstances that can sometimes be scary. The episode also includes the comments of Lt. Gen. Charles D. Luckey (Ret.), reacting to the extraordinary gathering of our military's leaders from around the world to hear remarks from Secretary Pete Segheth and the nation's commander-in-chief.  More about Celina Stewart Celina joined the League in 2018 as director of advocacy and litigation, and later served as senior director and chief counsel. Appointed CEO just three months before the 2024 election, she guided the organization through one of the most consequential election cycles in modern history. A creative legal strategist, Celina has led litigation to protect voters from intimidation and disinformation. Before joining the League, she served as chief operating officer and director of philanthropy at FairVote, where she advanced structural election reform and organizational growth. More about Charles D. Luckey Lt. Gen. Charles D. Luckey (Ret.) served in the US Army and Army National Guard for 43 years. He retired from the Army as its oldest Green Beret in uniform after serving as the Commanding General of the United States Army Reserve Command from 2016 to 2020. Charles is a graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Law. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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