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State of Belief
Democracy and Faith Hit the Road
This fall, multiple faith-driven tours are crossing the country, bringing messages of hope, justice, and democracy to communities nationwide. These movements, such as the Revolutionary Love Tour, the Faith & Democracy Tour, the Vote Common Good Confronting Christian Nationalism Tour, Nuns on the Bus & Friends Vote Our Future Tour, and Interfaith Alliance's The Vote is Sacred Tour, aim to foster unity and civic engagement. This week on The State of Belief podcast, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush catches up with some of the leaders behind these impactful initiatives and unveils the itinerary for Interfaith Alliance’s own The Vote Is Sacred Tour.
Valarie Kaur, a civil rights leader and founder of the Revolutionary Love Project, reflects on her six-week journey across the South, where her team has been sharing a vision for a new level of connection and hope. “Hold fast to those visions,” Valarie urges. Her goal is for future generations to inherit a legacy of courage and joy, not fear.
Rev. Doug Pagitt, co-founder of Vote Common Good, is traveling to confront the rise of Christian nationalism, emphasizing the need for democratic resilience. He highlights the importance of bridging divides and fostering inclusive democratic values, especially in faith-based communities.
Historian Dr. Kristin Kobes Du Mez joins with insights from stops on the Faith & Democracy Tour, underscoring the power of focused, hopeful action for justice. She also updates Paul on her documentary, For Our Daughters, which sheds light on stories of abuse, resistance and resilience within the Evangelical Church.
Finally, Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons from Interfaith Alliance discusses The Vote is Sacred Tour, which seeks to encourage community involvement and voter protection.
These leaders and their tours remind us all that democracy and justice require active, hopeful participation—a sentiment echoed powerfully throughout this episode.
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Hear this week’s episode below:
Ray Kirstein is the Producer of the State of Belief podcast.
A Pastor Reports from the Frontlines In Los Angeles: Faith and Immigration
This week on The State of Belief, an inspiring conversation with Rev. Noel Andersen, the National Field Director for Church World Service and a dedicated advocate for immigrant rights. In this episode, he joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to delve into the pressing issues surrounding immigration enforcement, the role of faith communities, and the ongoing fight for justice in the face of adversity. Here are three key takeaways that stand out:
Leah Greenberg, Indivisible, and No Kings: "You do not need permission to get started"
This week on The State of Belief – getting ready for No Kings Day on June 14th, an initiative of the national grassroots organization Indivisible. Co-founder Leah Greenberg explains that No Kings Day is a forceful nationwide response to the royal pretensions on display in Donald Trump's demand for a multi-million dollar military parade on his 79th birthday. Leah joins Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss the importance of getting involved rather than discouraged, share past Indivisible successes and lessons learned, and the essential role faith leaders and communities play in giving credibility to public actions like this.
Jim Wallis and a Moral Budget: The June 10th Procession at the Capitol
A powerful conversation with Rev. Jim Wallis. We dive deep into his upcoming event on June 10th at the Capitol, A Pentecost Witness for a Moral Budget, which aims to address critical issues surrounding the Reconciliation Bill and its potential cuts to vital programs like Medicaid and SNAP.