Segments
This weekend, tune in to Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast State of Belief to meet a scientist who even Koch Foundation funding couldn’t keep in line with climate change skeptics; to find out what happens when religious observance conflicts with Olympic aspirations; to hear what one journalist thinks about Mitt Romney’s trip to Israel; and to learn why one Rabbi thinks all politics is religious.
Conversion of a Climate Change Skeptic
With record-setting heat waves across the country, it’s not difficult to get people talking about climate change. Whether it’s conservatives accusing climate alarmists of being un-American Socialists wanting to ban SUVs or progressives portraying skeptics as slaves to the oil industry, we’ve reached a status of justifiable cynicism that funding sources affect scientific studies. But this week, tune in to hear from Dr. Richard Muller, the director of the Berkeley Earth Surface Temperature Study Group, talk about the findings of their new study that changed him from a climate change skeptic to affirming it as a real and human-influenced concern. It’s worth noting he received major funding from the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation. Hear the extended interview and read the transcript here.
Muslims at the Olympics
How do you balance Olympic ambitions with the faith that supports you? And what happens when they conflict? The London 2012 Summer Olympics falls during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, observed by abstaining from food and drink from sunup to sundown. And then there are religious dress codes. Dr. Sarah Kureshi, a professor at Georgetown University and an athlete of the 2005 Islamic Women’s Games, joins us this week to provide insight into what happens when Olympic dreams conflict with religion observance. Hear the extended interview and read the transcript here.
Romney in Israel
With less than 100 days until the election, all eyes are on the candidates. This past week Mitt went to London, where he insulted their Olympics preparations, and to Israel, where he insulted Palestinians. But did he also reveal insensitivity to the Jewish community? Dr. Shalom Goldman, author of the recent book Zeal for Zion: Christians, Jews and the Idea of the Promised Land, says yes. Find out why this week on State of Belief. Hear the extended interview and read the transcript here.
All Politics is Religious
In recent years, it seems that both religious values and leaders are becoming increasingly political – something we think is a very discouraging development. However, if Rabbi Dennis Ross’ new book title, All Politics is Religious, is an absolute and finite statement of fact, than we may need to rethink the work we do here at State of Belief and at Interfaith Alliance. Of course, a book is more complicated than its title. Rabbi Ross sits down with Welton this week to discuss the meaning behind the title of his new book – and what it means to speak faith to media, policy makers and community. Hear the extended interview and read the transcript here.
