The State Of Belief

• Black History Month In the Time of Trump: Rev. Jacqui Lewis

  This week, activist and theologian Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss the celebration and reflection of Black history, and the intersection of faith and activism. Together, they explore the ongoing fight for racial equality, the powerful influence of Black history on contemporary social justice movements, and the role of spiritual and community leaders in challenging systemic injustice. Rev. Jacqui, renowned for her deep faith-based commitment to social justice, shares her personal history of activism, rooted in her family's involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. She highlights the lessons we can draw from Black history and the Black Church to help foster unity, equity, and love, emphasizing the power of faith to overcome the forces of division and oppression. "When asked about what you're doing about immigrants, lean on your faith: that our faith compels us to care for the stranger, because we were once strangers in a strange land. In fact, the Hebrew scriptures say thirty-some odd times you should love the stranger, and one time love your neighbor. The whole idea of loving your neighbor as yourself means loving the alien, loving the stranger, loving the immigrant, loving the widow, loving the child. And I think, for as long as we can say those things as part of our creed, as part of our call to ministry, if you will, that stands well for us.”  - Rev. Dr Jacqui Lewis is the senior minister at Middle Collegiate Church in New York City, a diverse and inclusive congregation. Believing faith communities can lead the way to racial reconciliation, Rev. Jacqui co-founded The Middle Project and The Revolutionary Love Conference with her spouse, The Rev. John Janka, which train leaders to create a more just society. She holds an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary and a PhD in psychology and religion from Drew University. Her next book, The Just Love Story Bible for children and families is due out in September.

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• Money, Lies, and God: Katherine Stewart Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy

  This week, author and journalist Katherine Stewart joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss the rise of Christian Nationalism, Trump’s authoritarian tendencies, and the weaponization of faith for political gain. Together, they dive into the current political climate, the deep divisions within American society, and how knowledge and organizing are key to defending democracy. Katherine’s latest book, out on February 18th, Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy, explores the Christian Nationalist movement, which is fueled by the ultra-wealthy to protect their fortunes at the expense of democracy. Building on the foundation of her previous work, The Power Worshippers, Katherine’s new book reveals how these powerful forces exploit religious narratives to erode democratic institutions. “Extreme levels of inequality are eroding our democracy. This is something that we need to understand. I think there was nothing more stark than to see perhaps the group of the richest men in the world attending Trump's inauguration. You had Bezos there, you had Musk there with his salute, whatever. I mean, you have these tech billionaires there. And here's Trump promising to work for you when he's speaking to the right: 'When they come for you they're coming through me!' And you really think that he's going to serve you, when he's got these billionaires that he's really serving and who are basically paying him bribes by any other name to get policies that they want.” - Katherine Stewart, an author and journalist who has been covering religious nationalism and the assault on American democracy for over 15 years. Her book, The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism, was awarded first place for Excellence in Nonfiction Books by the Religion News Association, and a Morris D. Forkosch award. Katherine writes for The New York Times Opinion, New Republic, and many others, and has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, and NPR.

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• Can Religion Save Democracy? Maggie Siddiqi on Pluralism, Policy, and Resistance

  This week, Maggie Siddiqi, new senior fellow at Interfaith Alliance, is with host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush discussing Donald Trump’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, Bishop Budde’s model of faithful resistance, and the importance of coalition-building to stand up for democracy and religious freedom. Maggie joins Interfaith Alliance following a distinguished tenure with the Biden administration at the Department of Education, directing the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Prior to that, she served as senior director of the Religion and Faith team at the Center for American Progress, where she led the organization’s work on religious liberty. Maggie also spent nearly a decade in national organizations serving American Muslim communities, focusing on interfaith relations and faith-based advocacy. "Religious freedom is a matter of equity. I'm not sure how the Trump administration thinks they can tout efforts to address religious freedom and antisemitism while undermining the very means through which those efforts happen. They cannot have it both ways. Equity is about fairness, right. That is what equity means, and we want students of all religious and non-religious backgrounds to be treated fairly and welcomed into class without having to hide a critical part of who they are and what they believe. That's a matter of equity and inclusion."  - Maggie Siddiqi, senior fellow at Interfaith Alliance, where she focuses on building partnerships across the religious landscape. Maggie has a master’s degree in Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations from Hartford Seminary and a bachelor’s degree in religion from Wesleyan University. She also earned graduate certificates in Islamic chaplaincy from Hartford Seminary and in nonprofit management from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. Please forward this episode of The State of Belief to one person who would enjoy hearing this conversation and thank you for listening!

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• Skye Perryman: There's No Way Out of This But Through

  This week, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush reflects on the courage of Episcopal Bishop Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde, who spoke faithfully on behalf of the victims of the incoming administration’s policies at the inagural prayer service, attended by the president and vice president. Then Paul is joined by Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward, to discuss the ongoing challenges to American democracy, particularly the weaponization of government, the politicization of civil servants, and the important intersection of faith and politics. Together, they examine how Trump’s executive actions, which often seem performative, are part of a broader strategy to reshape government and remove protections for vulnerable communities. As the CEO of Democracy Forward, Skye discusses her organization's legal and advocacy work and mission to hold powerful entities accountable, protect democracy, and serve the public good. Together, Interfaith Alliance and Democracy Forward are on the frontlines, combatting extremism and Christian nationalism. "I do think there's no way out of this but through it. And so my advice is the community and connection. We're going to get through it together. When you see someone seeking to tear you apart, to try to sow division, to try to make you feel like you're the only one or that your belief in justice and your belief in a better tomorrow is somehow naive or somehow radical or somehow audacious, you can ignore that. And I think that we can get through it together and to remember our history and how many people have done hard work against great odds at great risks to themselves in order to create a future that we have inherited, and that it's really our job, now, to be good stewards of that." Skye L. Perryman is a board member of Interfaith Alliance and the President and CEO of Democracy Forward, a nonpartisan, national legal organization that promotes democracy and progress through litigation, regulatory engagement, policy education, and research. She has built a visionary team of legal, policy, and communications experts to confront anti-democratic extremism head-on while also using the law to advance progress and a bold vision for the future. Known for her strategic insight and impact-oriented leadership, Skye has a track record of winning tough legal and policy battles, uniting diverse coalitions, and elevating voices that represent the fabric of our country to deliver results that improve the lives of millions.

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• King's Non-Violence Trumps Christian Nationalism

  This week, we focus on the confluence of the inauguration of Donald Trump on the day we observe Martin Luther King Day, January 20th. Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush brings attention to the dichotomy of these two pivotal events, reflecting on the contrasting paths that America finds itself on—one leading towards justice, equality, and liberation, as exemplified by Dr. King, and the other toward Christian Nationalism, which advocates for privilege, power, and exclusion. He also offers some suggestions for how we can all respond to this moment by taking action in our local communities.Paul is then joined by Jeanné Lewis, CEO of Faith in Public Life, to discuss the need for moral clarity and compassion in the face of division, particularly in the context of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy. In this deeply reflective and insightful conversation, Paul and Jeanné touch on themes of faith, social justice, interfaith collaboration, self-care, and the ongoing struggle for racial and economic equality. "I think a big part of what we're facing right now as a nation is that question, why should I still love my neighbor as I'm called to do? And for folks who are listening, I think the answer is we must do that because that is who we are. And we have to listen and understand as much as we can where people are coming from, why they hold the beliefs they do, and why they're making the choices they do… When we listen, we hear that a lot of people are voting for nationalist ideals or authoritarian ideals because they feel unheard, because they feel unseen, and because they are afraid. And that fear is very, very powerful. And when we listen to leaders like Dr. King and John Lewis and other folks who came before us, we see very much that engaging people's fear with compassion while still speaking the truth about another vision and what needs to happen can be very transformative." - Jeanné Lewis, CEO at Faith in Public Life. She is a nonprofit executive, faith-based organizer, and authority on creating empowered communities. Jeanné has dedicated her career to building bridges, closing equity gaps and creating policies that lead to strong, thriving and self-determined cities.

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