It has been one year since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, and though the end is on the horizon, we will continue to deal with its impact for months to come. As we grapple with this public health crisis, our pursuit of religious freedom, justice, and equity remain as important as ever. This week Rabbi Jack Moline, president of the Interfaith Alliance, will be filling in for Rev. Welton Gaddy on State of Belief, the Alliance’s weekly radio program and podcast, for a conversation about our changing country and the role that people of diverse faith backgrounds are playing in the ongoing struggle for equality and justice.
People of faith are playing a critical role in pushing our country forward toward equity. Bishop Richard D. Howell, Jr., the longtime leader of Shiloh Temple International Ministries in Minneapolis, will join us to discuss how traditionally Black churches are being invited to lead the conversation around race and racism as the Twin Cities continue to respond to the killing of George Floyd, whose murder one year ago unleashed nationwide protests in defense of Black lives.
Jack will sit down with Dr. Robert Jones, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute, to dissect his research into changing attitudes among people of faith on issues ranging from LGBTQ+ equality to the ongoing fight for religious freedom and racial justice. A frequent guest, Robby is a leading expert on how the American public thinks about religion, values and the role of government.
Finally, we’ll take a look at Interfaith Alliance’s new web series The American Purpose, which asks influential leaders, scholars, and activists about who we are, where we are headed, and where we should be headed. Jack will discuss his ongoing conversations around the state of our country, our values and the choices we face as we create our collective future. The series is available at Americanpurpose.org.
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