Take a break from the summer heat and sit down inside with Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast State of Belief – to hear some good ol’ fashioned facts about religion and religious freedom in America, an incredible story of how man turned a horrific family tragedy into a call for nonviolence, and a word from Welton about the state of religious liberty.
A “Fortnight of Facts”
There’s been a lot of attention paid to the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops’ “Fortnight for Freedom” – the bishops’ two-week campaign culminating on July 4th to raise the issue of alleged threats to religious liberty. Emotions are running high on both sides of this effort. But what’s been missing from all the attention? Some good ol’ fashioned facts. Dr. Robert P. Jones, CEO of Public Religion Research Institute, joins Welton this week to provide a good snapshot of what Americans are really thinking about the state of religious liberty in this country. You should also check out PRRI’s Fortnight of Facts over at PublicReligion.org. Click here for extended interview video and transcript.
A Call for Nonviolence out of tragedy
Nearly three years ago, Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan killed 13 people and wounded 32 in the horrific massacre at Ft. Hood, Texas. The tragedy provided ample fodder for the voices committed to condemning all Muslims as extremists bent on terrorizing the rest of us. The shootings were a heartbreaking and unfathomable event for the victims’ families, and for the Hasan’s family as well. But on this weeks’ show, you’ll hear about how in the bloody aftermath, a member of Hasan’s family stepped forward to fight this kind of violence in the future – and he’s doing it with a member of one of the victim’s families. Nader Hasan, Nawal Foundation co-founder, is on the show this week to tell his story of how a family tragedy became a call for nonviolence – it’s a story you’re going to want to hear.
A Word from Welton
Religious liberty continues to make headlines. What’s the real threat? What’s strategic hyperbole? And what are the possible long-term consequences of this whole debate? Welton shares his thoughts on the state of religious liberty and takes a look back at the history of religious liberty in our nation. Click here for video and trascript.