The State Of Belief

• The Power of Faithful Non-Violent Resistance with Maria Stephan

  This week on The State of Belief, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is joined by Dr. Maria J. Stephan, co-lead and chief organizer at the Horizons Project. In the conversation, we get her expert take on the pressing issues of authoritarianism, democracy, and the vital role of faith in social movements. A key component of that is faithful, nonviolent resistance, which Maria has observed and supported in different parts of the world. The ground covered includes: The Subtle Erosion of Democracy: Maria emphasizes that democracies are not always dismantled through overt military coups; rather, they often face a slow, insidious decline. Authoritarian leaders can undermine democratic norms and institutions by eliminating checks and balances, weaponizing government agencies, and suppressing dissent. The Power of Faith in Resistance: Throughout history, religious communities have played a pivotal role in resisting authoritarianism. Maria highlights how faith leaders and congregations are stepping up to provide moral support and physical presence in protests and acts of civil disobedience. Courage in Action: Courage manifests in various forms, from speaking out against injustice to putting one’s body on the line for the sake of others. Maria reminds us that courage is contagious; when individuals see others taking a stand, it inspires them to do the same. This ripple effect is vital for sustaining movements and fostering a culture of resistance. We encourage you to listen to this meaningful and timely episode, and reflect on how we can each contribute to the fight for democracy and justice. About Dr. Maria J. Stephan Maria is co-lead and chief organizer at the Horizons Project, which works on building inclusive democracy and dismantling tyranny through nonviolent action. She is a political scientist and co-author of the award-winning book Why Civil Resistance Works. Previously, Maria served as Director of the Program on Nonviolent Action at the U.S. Institute of Peace and held foreign affairs roles in the U.S. State Department. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• What the Separation of Church and State Means Today with Rev. Dr. Randall Balmer

  The latest episode of The State of Belief features the esteemed historian and author, Rev. Dr. Randall Balmer. We go in-depth with his latest book, America's Best Idea: The Separation of Church and State, and explore the critical importance of this principle in today's America. Here are three key takeaways: The Historical Roots of Separation: Randall emphasizes that the concept of separation of Church and State is not just a recent source of concern, but a foundational principle rooted in the diverse religious landscape of early America. The Founding Fathers, aware of the religious conflicts in Europe, sought to create a nation where no single religion would dominate. The Threat of Majoritarianism: One of the most striking points Randall makes is the current Supreme Court's tendency to favor majoritarianism, particularly in matters of religion. He argues that the court's decisions often reflect the beliefs of a Christian majority, sidelining the rights of minority faiths and non-religious individuals. The Call for Courage and Hope: In a time when religious freedom is under attack, Randall encourages us all to embrace small acts of resistance and to remain hopeful. He reminds us that courage can manifest in various forms, from participating in rallies to engaging in meaningful conversations about faith and democracy. It’s an enlightening conversation with Dr. Balmer, as we navigate the complexities of faith, politics, and the future of our democracy. Together, we explore how we can uphold the separation of Church and State and ensure that all voices are heard in our society. More about Randall Balmer A prize-winning historian and Emmy Award nominee, a New York Times best-selling author, Randall Balmer holds the John Phillips Chair in Religion at Dartmouth, the oldest endowed professorship at Dartmouth College. He's also an Episcopal priest, and as early as 1989, he was publishing books like Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: A Journey into Evangelical Subculture in America, and Thy Kingdom Come: How the Religious Right Distorts Faith and Threatens America. Most recently, Dr. Balmer published America's Best Idea: The Separation of Church and State, addressing some of the most foundational and endangered principles of our history and national identity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• "Courage is the New Currency": Skye Perryman and Democracy Forward

  In this episode of The State of Belief, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush dives deep into some critical issues facing our nation with Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. They discussed the legal battle to restore SNAP food benefits during the government shutdown; challenges facing the Supreme Court and our legal system; how faith communities are stepping up to protect vulnerable populations; and the critical role of courage in defending democratic institutions. With 42 million Americans, including children, veterans, and working families, at risk of losing food benefits – ostensibly due to the government shutdown, a coalition led by the Rhode Island Council of Churches and Democracy Forward sued the administration to restore these benefits – and won. Skye's message is clear: We can't wish our way out of challenging times - we must go through them, together, with courage and community. She stresses that “Courage is the new currency" for creating positive change, and legal action remains a powerful tool for protecting citizens' rights. The episode begins with a short visit with Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison, Senior Pastor at Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas. With the philosophy "Silence is not love", her congregation painted their church steps as a rainbow flag in an act of sacred resistance to Governor Abbott’s decree that rainbow-colored crosswalks must be removed from the state. This simple but powerful act can serve as inspiration for each of us to take action where we are, how we can.   About Skye Perryman and Democracy Forward: Skye Perryman is a lawyer and the President & CEO of Democracy Forward, a non-partisan national legal organization. Under her leadership, Democracy Forward uses litigation, regulatory engagement, and policy work to defend democracy, protect civil rights and social progress, and challenge unlawful executive action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• 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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