State of Belief
Whither America? July 4th with Dr. Robert P. Jones
What does falling off a bike have to do with the state of our nation? Is America going through an identity crisis - just like a seventeen-year-old? This week on The State of Belief, these parallels are part of the conversation with host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush and Dr. Robert P. Jones on America's first 249 years, and what's to come as the country approaches 250. All while they ask themselves the question: “How Bad Is It?”
On this Independence Day episode, Paul and his guest, who is president and founder of Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), explore:
- PRRI’s recent polling on the Trump Administration: “Democracy at Crossroads: How Americans View Trump’s first 100 Days in Office,” and some of the misconceptions that have arisen.
- From De Tocqueville to Trump, how the notion of “creed” has developed over time, shaping the current state of religious freedom in America.
- How we can meaningfully celebrate Juneteenth and July 4th together - and why we should!
Towards the end of the episode, Robby leaves us with a powerful reminder of civic responsibility: “... whether it's inside a home, inside a business, inside a church or a synagogue or a mosque, there are roles for all of us to play because there is a fight going on, for - I know Biden used this term maybe a little too much, but I do think it's true - this kind of the soul of America really is, in many ways, at stake right now.”
Where to find Robby Jones:
- Bookmark the PRRI website, where a wealth of invaluable research is regularly posted for free.
- Check out Robby’s bestselling books, The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy, and the Path to a Shared American Future; White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity; and The End of White Christian America.
- Subscribe to his Substack, White Too Long, where he frequently posts on religion, White Christian Nationalism, and protecting a pluralistic democracy.
Have you heard these recent episodes of The State of Belief?
- June 24, 2024: On Diversity and Democracy with Wajahat Ali
- June 14, 2025: A Pastor Reports from the Front Lines in Los Angeles: Faith and Immigration
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On Diversity and Democracy With Wajahat Ali
This week on The State of Belief, Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush talks with author, commentator and attorney Wajahat Ali, who maintains that everybody has a superpower. Waj lists some of them, and stresses how important it is not to throw up our hands in the face of massive challenges and threats from the current administration and its supporters.
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.