Segments
This weekend, tune in to State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast for the answer to the question: is progressive religion really taking over? We’ll also get a first-hand report from Oak Creek, one year after the deadly Sikh Temple of Wisconsin massacre; and learn what causes Ramadan traffic jams in Dubai. 
The Future of Progressive Religion in America
Multiple news reports in recent weeks have touted trends that seem to indicate progressive faith is on track to outstrip the Religious Right in this country. Those reports stem from a comprehensive survey published in July by the Public Religion Research Institute, in partnership with the Brookings Institution. The Economic Values Survey that inspired the discussion is full of fascinating insights regarding the diversity of American beliefs, and the way those beliefs influence attitudes toward the nation and the world. Dr. Robert P. Jones, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute, will discuss both the headline findings and surprises found in the Economic Values survey with Welton on this week’s show. CLICK HERE FOR EXTENDED INTERVIEW VIDEO AND TRANSCRIPT
Revisiting Oak Creek a Year Later
Monday, August 5, marks the one-year anniversary of the massacre at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, where a gunman opened fire, killing six and wounding five others. In the immediate aftermath of this tragedy, Sikh-American activist and filmmaker Valarie Kaur was there to help. Today, Valarie works as the director of Groundswell, a multifaith movement for justice at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City and this weekend, she’s back in Oak Creek for the anniversary. On this edition of State of Belief, we’ll hear from Valarie in Wisconsin, get her impressions and meet one survivor of the shooting, as well as a former white supremacist who had a change of heart years before the tragedy. CLICK HERE FOR EXTENDED INTERVIEW VIDEO AND TRANSCRIPT
“The Politically Incorrect Guide to Ramadan”
Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of prayer and fasting, continues until August 7. To explore the real-life experience of observing this holy month, Religion Dispatches senior correspondent Haroon Moghul wrote the “Politically Incorrect Guide to Ramadan.” Haroon joins Welton this week to discuss the guide, as well as what it’s been like for him to celebrate Ramadan in a Muslim country for the first time, where it sometimes seems that all of daily life this time of year is built around the fasting cycle.
