The State Of Belief

Have you noticed how Pope Leo's calm, fearless stance is rattling those in power? He’s not just speaking to Catholics; he's challenging the very idea that religion should be silent in times of crisis, whether the topic is war or the treatment of immigrants.

This week, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush welcomes two leading American Catholic voices: religion professor Dr. Anthea Butler and best-selling author Father Jim Martin, SJ. They've got deep insights on the ways race, religion, and political priorities inform the furious responses from the White House and other powerful figures—and efforts to deny the moral authority of the head of one of the world's largest religions.

Dr. Anthea Butler is Geraldine R. Segal Professor of Social Thought and
Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of
Pennsylvania. She's the author of the book White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America.

Rev. Jim Martin is editor-at-large at the Jesuit America Magazine, consultor to the Vatican, and author of many books, including his latest—a memoir titled Work in Progress: Confessions of a Busboy, Dishwasher, Caddy, Usher,
Factory Worker, Bank Teller, Corporate Tool, and Priest.
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Is the tide finally turning on the bigotry, fear-mongering and manufactured division in our society, including on college campuses? The success of a joyful gathering last week at traditionally Baptist Baylor University in Waco, Texas, suggests it might be. This week on The State of Belief, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush brings us with him to the Baylor campus, sharing his own words of welcome from the All Are Neighbors gathering, as well as powerful remarks from two student organizers, Rev. Susie Hayward, an unstoppable faith activist from Minnesota, Dr. Greg Garrett (whom TPUSA has included in its “professor watch list,”) and Human Rights Campaign President Kelly Robinson.

We start things off with a conversation with Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward and a proud Baylor alum. In her words: “What these students showed is that there is a movement afoot, including in places like Waco, and maybe especially in places like Waco.”
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What does democracy truly mean in 2026, and how can we ensure its survival? What hope can the recent election in Hungary offer for reversing the slide of democracy in the US and elsewhere? Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush talks with Dr. Staffan I. Lindberg, founder of the Varieties of Democracy Institute, about V-Dem’s latest global report titled, Unraveling
the Democratic Era?

The report raises crucial questions about the future of democratic governance. It underscores the importance of understanding both the
successes and failures of democratic systems, prompting a reevaluation of what democracy means in different contexts.

Key takeaways include:

- Democracy is Multifaceted: The state of democracy varies significantly across different nations, and understanding local contexts is crucial for promoting democratic values.

- Engagement is Essential: Electoral participation and civic engagement are critical in challenging authoritarian regimes.

- Concession Matters: Accepting electoral defeat is a vital
component of maintaining democratic integrity.
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This week, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush welcomes Rebecca Solnit—prolific writer, best-selling author, activist, and public intellectual. With 25 books to her credit—so far—Rebecca's latest is titled The Beginning Comes After the End: Notes on a World of Change.

In our conversation, she emphasizes collective hope, continuous community
action, and a reevaluation of stories and faiths to inspire resistance and
societal transformation. Rebecca raises up the potential for joy, creativity, and community in activism and advocacy. We also explore the intersectionality of environmental, racial, gender, and spiritual activism, urging us to see these issues as part of a shared fabric of interconnected change—especially when it comes to the true theological underpinnings of our democracy (spoiler alert—it's got a lot more to do ith MLK than DJT.)

Sign up for Rebecca Solnit’s newsletter at https://www.meditationsinanemergency.com/

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What does it mean to be in a war that nobody openly declares? What are the legal and moral boundaries of military force? And what does true courage look like today — especially for ordinary citizens who feel overwhelmed or unsure of how to respond?

With the global impact of the war in Iran growing daily, this week on The State of Belief host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is joined by Retired Lt. Gen. Charles D. Luckey — former head of the US Army Reserve, former JAG officer, and veteran of three combat tours, including in Iraq. He’s also a seminary student at Wake Forest Theological Seminary — and all these identities intersect to provide unique insights and observations.
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