On Monday, October 4th, the Supreme Court officially began its new term. This year’s docket could fundamentally change how accessible reproductive health care is, how accessible guns are, as well as campaign finance, religion in public life, and so much more. This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, we preview the what’s likely to be coming from SCOTUS. We also discuss the role of faith in Monday’s National Coming Out day, and mark a victory for religious freedom for Muslims in America.
From reproductive rights to keeping public money in public schools, the new High Court term will be consequential for the future of religious freedom. Jay Michaelson will join Rev. Welton Gaddy, host of State of Belief, for a big-picture view of what will likely be an unprecedented Supreme Court session. Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson is a columnist for New York magazine and a meditation teacher and podcast host at Ten Percent Happier. He has written about the Supreme Court for the last eight years, first for the Daily Beast and now for New York, and before that worked as a religious LGBTQ activist for ten years.
For many LGBTQ+ people, coming out is a process of exploring their identities and sharing those identities with others. National Coming Out Day, October 11, celebrates LGBTQ+ people through visibility and recognition of their diverse identities. Welton will sit down with Maureen O’Leary — Interfaith Alliance’s director of field & organizing — to discuss how the organization is marking the day with its #FaithfullyLGBT campaign.
It’s been twenty years since the start of the so-called “War on Terror,” and with it heightened anti-Muslim bigotry and violence. As a result, Muslim Americans have been forced to fight for their human dignity for decades – making it all the more important to celebrate victories when they arise. Stephanie Correa, an attorney with Muslim Advocates, will join Welton to discuss the latest legal win in the fight for true religious freedom.
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