Donald Trump announced his nomination to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy – and we have questions. On this week’s State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s radio show and podcast, we’ll get expert insight into who exactly Judge Brett Kavanaugh is and what his addition to SCOTUS would mean for religious freedom in this country. Also, this week, we’re launching Whosoever You Love, our new series affirming the worth and full value of LGBTQ persons within and beyond religion.
In an announcement hyped in advance like a pivotal moment on some reality show, Donald Trump put forth Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s name for what Mitch McConnell has promised will be a quick confirmation process. Despite 12 years on the bench with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit Attorney, Judge Kavanaugh’s record on religious liberty is a bit thin. Attorney, author and activist Rabbi Jay Michaelson, will be back on State of Belief with host Rev. Welton Gaddy this week to share what he knows about Judge Kavanaugh, put the nomination in context for us and discuss the religious influences at play in his selection.
When the Supreme Court upheld the Muslim Ban last month, many of us felt deep disappointment and outrage. But what was it like for a young social justice advocate to witness the events as they unfolded? C.J. Wechsler, who completed her internship at Interfaith Alliance through the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism’s Machon Kaplan program this week, was present for the public reaction at the Court – as well as inside the historic building the day before. She’ll join Welton to explain why she camped out at 2:30 a.m. to watch the Supreme Court in action.
In the inaugural installment of our new Whosoever You Love interview series, Welton will speak with the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson, who was the first openly gay man consecrated as a bishop within the Episcopal Church and led the diocese of New Hampshire until his retirement in 2013. A gentle but fearless warrior and inspiring voice for inclusion and respect, Bishop Robinson is the author of numerous books, including God Believes in Love: Straight Talk About Gay Marriage and In the Eye of the Storm: Swept to the Center by God.