This weekend on State of Belief, Christian evangelicalism and the United States military. Are some fundamentalists in uniform ignoring the First Amendment? Plus, an inside look at President Obama’s faith-based advisory council from the perspective of the group’s only Hindu member. And, one aspiring journalist goes undercover at Reverend Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University. He’ll tell us what he learned about being young and evangelical.
Host Welton Gaddy speaks with journalist Jeff Sharlet about his article, “Jesus Killed Mohammad: The Crusade for a Christian Military,” appearing in Harper’s Magazine. Jeff Sharlet is also the author of The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power.
Don’t miss our intersection awards with stories about the National Day of Prayer and a surprising admission from a former McCain campaign staffer.
Plus, one of the newest members of President Obama’s Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships speaks with Welton about which faith groups she will represent as the only Hindu appointed to the board. Anju Bhargava was named to the council in early April. She is Principal Director at Global Synergy Associates, an international management consulting firm. She is also the founding president of a New Jersey based non – profit Asian Indian Women of America and she is an ordained ‘pujari’ (or priest).
And, what happens when a liberal student from Brown University spends a semester at Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University, a place also known as Bible Boot Camp? Author Kevin Roose tells us about his experience as an undercover evangelical co-ed. Kevin’s new book is called The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner’s Semester at America’s Holiest University.
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*WEB EXTRA* Hear more from Kevin Roose:
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Religion and radio done differently – this weekend on State of Belief.
