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
Please share this episode with one person who would enjoy hearing this conversation, subscribe, and thank you for listening!
Transcript
Courage in Community: Minnesota Faith Leaders Respond to ICE Crisis
Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush talks with four Minnesota faith leaders on the ground defending their communities against ICE attacks: Rev. Susie Hayward, Rev. Dr. Rebecca Voelkel, Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs, and Rev. Dr. Jia Starr Brown.
Dancing with the Divine: Exploring Religious Freedom in 'The Testament of Ann Lee'
Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is joined by Interfaith Alliance colleagues Alyssa Klein and Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons to discuss religious freedom in America today through the lens of a new film celebrating the history of the Shaker faith in this country, "The Testament of Ann Lee." Religious Freedom Day is January 16th.
What Happened? Top Religion News Stories of 2025 with RNS, and Looking Ahead to 2026
Religion News Service reporters Adele Banks and Jack Jenkins reflect on a pivotal year in which faith communities played a visible role in responding to political, social, and economic upheaval, from immigration advocacy to support for federal workers and marginalized groups.