Podcasts about american religion

Send us a textToday, we welcome a conversation with Dr. Christian Smith, one of America's leading sociologists of religion. He studied at Wheaton and Gordon College, earned an M.A. and PhD at Harvard, and serves currently as the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Sociology at the University of Notre Dame. You may know him from his groundbreaking research on adolescent spirituality, but in this episode, we dive into the sweeping themes of his current book, Why Religion Went Obsolete: The Demise of Traditional Faith in America, released in April 2025 from Oxford University Press.We examine the profound cultural and generational shifts that have contributed to the decline of religion in America—what Dr. Smith refers to as a slow but steady obsolescence. From the rise of the “nones” and the “spiritual but not religious,” to the scandals, the loss of clergy credibility, and the overwhelming politicization of faith, especially within evangelical circles, we unpack it all. Dr. Smith is data-driven, deeply thoughtful, and committed to honesty—he doesn't just describe the trends; he interprets them with nuance and care.We also talk about the fears that drive some religious communities to build protective bubbles—Christian schools, worldview camps, media silos—and how those moves may be accelerating the very decline they fear. This is a conversation about cultural change, generational transitions, science, sexuality, and what it means to seek moral grounding in a rapidly shifting world.This episode invites us to ask: When has religion truly been good? And can it be good again? As James Baldwin once said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” SHOW NOTESSupport the showBecome a Patron - Click on the link to learn how you can become a Patron of the show. Thank you! Ken's Substack Page The Podcast Official Site: TheBeachedWhiteMale.com

Journalist and author Claire Hoffman joins Painful Lessons to explore faith, scandal, and survival. From growing up in the Transcendental Meditation movement to writing Sister Sinner, Claire shares the incredible true story of Amy Semple McPherson, the most famous woman in 1920s America—who vanished into the ocean and reappeared in the desert 35 days later.She and host Tyler Ramsey also dive into spirituality, modern cult dynamics, Claire's investigation into abuse in media empires, and her deeply personal moments around death, doubt, and redemption.

Holy smokes, theology nerds – buckle up for a prophetic ride through Black Christology that'll completely recalibrate your understanding of Jesus and faith in times of empire. I am joined by Dr. Adam Clark as he traces the revolutionary lineage from Howard Thurman's mystical Jesus who refuses the "hounds of hell" (after being called a traitor to dark peoples for following Christianity), through Albert Cleage's literal Black Messiah who'd be riding in the colored section of Jim Crow buses, to James Cone's God who shows up at the lynching tree. At a moment when Christian nationalism weaponizes the gospel to enforce xenophobic authoritarianism, this prophetic tradition reminds us that authentic Christian witness is found in loving solidarity with the crucified of today. This isn't polite reflection, friends – it's resistance theology that exposes how God deliberately identifies with the oppressed, choosing foolishness to shame the wise and weakness to shame the strong. This episode might flip your theological world upside down, but that's precisely what good theology should do. To get Adam's lecture and four more, join the class,⁠⁠The Many Faces of Christ Today⁠⁠. You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube Dr. Adam Clark is Associate Professor of Theology at Xavier University. He currently serves as co-chair of Black Theology Group at the American Academy of Religion, actively publishes in the area of black theology and black religion and participates in social justice groups at Xavier and in the Cincinnati area. He earned his PhD at Union Theological Seminary in New York where he was mentored by James Cone. Previous Episodes w/ Adam: Thinking Liberation From Contemplation to Liberation The Living & Liberating Mystery Cancel Culture, Rogan, Whoopi, Chappelle, & the NFL Gary Dorrien & Adam Clark: James Cone and the Emergence of Black Theology Serene Jones & Adam Clark: Theology Matters and the Legacy of James Cone The Crisis of American Religion & Democracy: 1/6 a year later Christmas, BLM, Abortion, & the War on White Evangelicalism Jan 6th Theological Debrief: Adam Clark and Jeffrey Pugh Adam Clark: What is Black Theology? From Lebron James to the Black Panther: Black Theology QnA w/ Adam Clark Adam Clark: James Cone was right Upcoming Online Class:⁠ Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, & the Holy Ghost⁠ "⁠Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, and the Holy Ghost⁠" is an open-online course exploring the dynamic, often overlooked third person of the Trinity. Based on Grace Ji-Sun Kim's groundbreaking work on the Holy Spirit (pneumatology), this class takes participants on a journey through biblical foundations, historical developments, diverse cultural perspectives, and practical applications of Spirit theology. Moving beyond traditional Western theological frameworks, we'll explore feminist interpretations, global perspectives, and innovative approaches to understanding the Spirit in today's world. Whether you've felt the Spirit was missing from your faith journey or are simply curious to deepen your understanding, this class creates space for thoughtful discussion, personal reflection, and spiritual growth. ⁠As always, this class is donation-based, including 0. To get class info and sign up, head over here. ⁠ _____________________ ⁠⁠⁠Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN. ⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is a ⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠ production. Follow ⁠⁠⁠the Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠The Rise of Bonhoeffer⁠⁠⁠ podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our⁠⁠⁠ Substack - Process This!⁠⁠⁠ Get instant access to over 45 classes at ⁠⁠⁠www.TheologyClass.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Follow the podcast, drop a review⁠⁠⁠, send ⁠⁠⁠feedback/questions⁠⁠⁠ or become a ⁠⁠⁠member of the HBC Community⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The pope dies and R wants to know why people are excited about it. Beave suggest lowering the alter boys age to win pope election. Beave brings us the greatest song ever written by Ye aka Kanye West. We end with how to make America more American. Enjoy the show!!!Discord link: https://discord.gg/UZfnemNzN8If you're enjoying the show and want to let us know how much you adore us, hate us, have an idea for a topic or think yourself or someone you know would make a great guest then contact us at thembmachinepodcast.com or email us at mbmachinepod@protonmail.com. You can also, subscribe to make sure you never miss a new episode, leave a comment on Spotify or just "like it" on whatever platform you're listening on! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 In this episode, our wide-ranging discussion covers the size of the Orthodox and Modern Orthodox community, how and why the Orthodox have become a minority, the cost and standards of living of Orthodoxy, some under-valued benefits, and even some sport trivia! Our guest, Rabbi Zev Eleff received his Ph.D. from Brandeis University and M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University. At Yeshiva University, Eleff graduated from Yeshiva College and received ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He is a past Wexner Graduate Fellow/Davidson Scholar, a prestigious program for Jewish leaders and professionals. Zev Eleff is the president of Gratz College. One of the youngest presidents in American higher education, Eleff, at 35 years-old, was elected by the College's Board of Governors in 2021. He was previously chief academic officer of Hebrew Theological College and vice provost of Touro College Illinois. A prolific scholar, Eleff holds an international reputation for academic rigor and sophistication. He is the author or editor of 14 books and more than 120 articles in the fields of Jewish Studies and American Religion. Eleff's research in American Jewish history has received numerous awards, including the American Jewish Historical Society's Wasserman Prize and the Rockower Award for Excellence by the American Jewish Press Association. He is also a two-time finalist for the National Jewish Book Award, a member of the Academic Council of the American Jewish Historical Society, and one of the youngest faculty members promoted to full professor in Touro College's history. Eleff resides in Merion Station, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Melissa, and their three children. In this episode, we mention community feedback on a very wide range of Jewish topics that people want to learn. Here is a LINK to the community feedback on this topic.   

Tazeen M. Ali (she/her) is assistant professor of Religion and Politics at Washington University in St. Louis. Her research and teaching focus on Islam and gender, US Islam, and race and religion in America. She is the author of The Women's Mosque of America: Authority & Community in US Islam (NYU Press, 2022). She has also published in Religion & Politics (now ARC Mag), The Conversation, The Maydan, and Middle East Eye. Ali is currently writing her second book, Muslims on Screen: Racism and Sexuality in Anglo-American Islam, which analyzes entertainment media projects produced by British and American Muslims. She also serves on the advisory board of the National Museum of American Religion. Ali earned her PhD in Religious Studies from Boston University in 2019. Visit Tazeen Ali Visit Classical Ideas Visit Sacred Writes  

This hour, Ian Hoch continues his Good Friday discussion about the intersection of religion, racism, and violence with the WWL callers and texters.

It's time to check in on the state of religion and Christianity. We've gathered key data-backed trends shaping this decade, including the one denomination that's growing, the strongest force in American religion, and the most common words in new church names. Let's dive in.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:30 - Trend #1: Church Names 9:40 - Trend #2: The One Denomination That's Growing 16:07 - Trend #3: Young Men Are Now As Religious As Young Women 27:19 - Trend #4: The Strongest Force In American Religion   IMPORTANT LINKS - Ryan Burge: https://www.drburge.com/ - Ryan Burge | Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ryanburge - Graphs about Religion: https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/ - What's In a Name? Trends in Non-Denominational Church Branding: https://bit.ly/4iJfQL9 - The Assemblies of God: A Denomination That May Be Growing: https://bit.ly/43JmYD1 - Are Young Women Leaving Religion Faster than Young Men?: https://bit.ly/4iLkk3N - Non-Denominationalism Is the Strongest Force in American Religion: https://bit.ly/41Zvj47 - The American Religious Landscape: Facts, Trends, and the Future: https://amzn.to/3XMZ1a2   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

In this week's conversation between Dr. James Emery White and co-host Alexis Drye, they discuss the recent release of Pew Research Center's Religious Landscape Study. Last conducted in 2014, the 2023-24 study surveyed more than 35,000 Americans concerning their religious affiliations, their beliefs, and their practices. It is simply the largest and most significant study of its kind in terms of getting a snapshot of where our country is on all things spirituality and religion, and the current health of the American Church. The findings go far beyond what some of the headlines from this study would suggest. Episode Links Dr. White released a recent blog on this topic titled “The Stall of the Nones” - the “nones” being the group who identifies as having no religious affiliation. Their numbers have been rising for decades, yet seem to have reached a leveling-off point. (We'd encourage you to check out his book on this subject that was discussed in today's episode titled The Rise of the Nones.) Dr. White mentioned a recent New York Times article titled “Christianity's Decline in U.S. Appears to Have Halted, Major Study Shows” which latches onto that finding from the study. The more notable takeaway from the study that seems to have been overlooked is the fact that the number of people who would identify as Christian continues to decline - from 78% in 2007 to 62% in 2024. That decline is stunning. As Dr. White noted from the Christianity Today article titled “Pew: America Is Spiritual but Not Religious,” six people have left Christianity for every one who has joined. That is certainly not sustainable. Dr. White stressed the importance of reaching the younger generations for Jesus, and the fact that a solid children's ministry is a vitally important component. He wrote a blog on this topic titled “The Most Important Sub-Ministry In Your Church” that would be worth reading if you missed it. For those of you who are new to Church & Culture, we'd love to invite you to subscribe (for free of course) to the twice-weekly Church & Culture blog and check out the Daily Headline News - a collection of headlines from around the globe each weekday. We'd also love to hear from you if there is a topic that you'd like to see discussed on the Church & Culture Podcast in an upcoming episode. You can find the form to submit your questions at the bottom of the podcast page HERE.

Episode 91.    In this episode, I delve into the complex intersection of personal faith and public roles. I reflect on my recent conversation with Chris Stevenson, founder of the National Museum of American Religion, who chooses to leave his Mormon faith outside the museum to maintain an inclusive environment. I also explore the balance between personal religious identity, intention, and situational appropriateness, sharing my experience of being Jewish in Germany and interacting with diverse cultures and traditions. I highlight the importance of respectful dialogue and awareness, drawing connections to the observance of Ramadan and the values it emphasizes, such as mindfulness and community. Bio:I am a public scholar and interreligious leader with a keen interest in understanding the nature of similarities and differences––especially religious and cultural.  The Talking with God Project is currently my main focus, and I am actively expanding its reach through workshops, articles, panels, talks and a podcast.  ​Raised in the Boston area, I have lived in Seattle, WA and Berlin, Germany, before returning to Boston in 2017.  Carving out a varied educational and professional path, I hold a B.A. in Fine Art from Oberlin College (1984), an M.B.A. from Northeastern University (1997), a Certificate in Coaching from the International Coach Academy (2015), and a Master of Jewish Liberal Studies (MJLS) from Hebrew College with a focus on Global Interreligious Studies (2019).  Professionally, I have worked as a business manager, an art dealer and founder of Solomon Fine Art gallery, language trainer, text editor, business coach and now public scholar and podcaster. ​Though raised in an interfaith non-observant home. my Conservative Jewish practice and wide range of personal and professional experiences inform my research and life.Resources:Chris Stevenson podcast episodeNational Museum of American ReligionZeyneb Sayilgan blog The Big Kahuna movieTranscript on BuzzsproutSocial Media links for Méli:Website – the Talking with God ProjectMeli's emailLinkedIn – Meli SolomonFacebook – Meli SolomonFollow the podcast!The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project.

Episode 90.   Are you a museum goer? Are you interested in the history of religion in America? Is religious freedom in America important to you?  If you answered yes to any of those questions, today's episode will speak to you. Chris Stevenson has been developing the National Museum of American Religion for 15 years. Currently a digital-first project, Chris and his team began the Religion in the American Experience podcast as a stepping-stone to exhibits. They are also talking about a traveling exhibit. The key questions underlying all of these endeavors are: What has America done to religion and what has religion done to America? Highlights: ·       Religious freedom in America·       the National Museum of American Religion project·       Religion in the American Experience podcast·       Smithsonian vs. private structure ·       Mobile museum: religion's pandemic journey·       Exploring positive lived religionBio:  Chris Stevenson has worked as a teacher, systems engineer, and consultant. He has a B.S. in applied physics and Masters degrees in education and agricultural engineering. His overriding interest is buttressing civil society, and in 2000 he founded the non-profit Community Levee Association. Shortly thereafter he founded America's Quilt of Faith and then Faith2SelfGovern. The National Museum of American Religion project followed. Mr. Stevenson is the author of Letters from an American Husband and Father: Championing Virtue as the Most Durable Empire, a compilation of his letters to the editor and essays written between 1998 and 2012.References:Harvard University Pluralism Project, founded by Prof. Diana EckArticle 6 of the US Constitution 1st Amendment of the US Constitution Social Media links for guest: National Museum of American ReligionFacebookInstagramX (Formerly Twitter)LinkedInTranscript on BuzzsproutMore Episodes with Mormons:Margaret AgardZachary DavisRick BennettSocial Media links for Méli:Website – the Talking with God ProjectMeli's emailLinkedIn – Meli SolomonFacebook – Meli SolomonFollow the podcast!The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project.

Thee stars aligned and we immediately blasted off and met with a highly educated and passionate human!  Doctor Felipe Hinojosa: Bachelors degree in English, Fresno Pacific University, 1999  Masters degree in history, University of Texas Pan-American, 2004  PhD in history, University of Houston, 2009 Dr Hinojosa has 2 books currently available and a third one en route!  His research areas include Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies, American Religion, Comparative Race and Ethnicity, and Social Movements. Felipe Hinojosa is the John and Nancy Jackson and Endowed chair in Latin America and professor of history at Baylor University. Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, he joins at thee magical 93 studios with Roman Villarreal and fellow artists Traz, Cortez, and Shapeless!  We discuss the Chicano movement, from Texas - Chicago and throughout the country during the inception and current times. We probe what it is to be Chicano and how to empower ourselves to learn more because "knowledge is dangerous"

Are we entering a new era in American religion? Current data shows we are at an inflection point. Over the last 30 to 40 years, the share of Americans who had no religious affiliation has dramatically increased. That period is over, and something new is on the horizon. Ryan Burge joins the show to discuss what this new era in American religion may look like in the next ten years. The post The Burge Report: The New Era in American Religion Begins Now (What’s Happening?!) appeared first on Church Answers.

Send us a textWhen you and your family have spent your lives rooted in a particular religious tradition only to realize that your tradition does not openly welcome, support, and affirm your LGBTQ+ child or family member, it can be devastating. As a result, many parents end up leaving church. Some leave because of a lack of support, some because the church leaders and community shunned them or turned against them, some because they have a complete crisis of faith, unable to reconcile their love and support of their queer kids with the theological teachings of the church, leaving religion and faith behind altogether. Then the holiday season comes around, with various celebrations and traditions combining family and religion, and it can be overwhelming, confusing, and frustrating to know how to honor these traditions and engage in celebrations with a sense of meaning and authenticity. This week In the Den, Sara talks with Brittney Hartley, author of No Nonsense Spirituality, about possible ways to reframe the holidays beyond religion. Special Guest: Brittney HartleyBrittney Hartley is an Atheist Spiritual Director at No Nonsense Spirituality. She has a Masters Degree in Theology with a focus in the Future of American Religion. She is the author of the book No Nonsense Spirituality: All the Tools No Faith Required. Links from the Show:Get No Nonsense Spirituality here: https://nononsensespirituality.com/book Find Britt's resources here: https://stan.store/nononsensespirituality Britt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/nononsensespirituality/ No Nonsense Spirituality on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nononsensespirituality Join Mama Dragons today: www.mamadragons.org In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at mamadragons.org. Connect with Mama Dragons:WebsiteInstagramFacebookDonate to this podcast

My guest for this episode is historian and author Timothy Grieve-Carlson. Tim's work focuses on the intersection of esotericism, ecology, American religious history and the paranormal and his writing has appeared in magazines like Hellebore and in academic journals such as American Religion, Correspondences: A Journal of Esotericism, and Magic, Ritual, and Witchcraft. 2024 saw the publication of his first book, American Aurora: Environment and Apocalypse in the Life of Johannes Kelpius – which is the subject of this episode. Johannes Kelpius is an enormously influential but comprehensively misunderstood theologian, born in what is modern-day Romania in 1667. His time studying at university would expose him to esoteric ideas and religious practices that would prove influential in his life, leading him to eventually settle outside of Philadelphia from 1694 to 1707. By the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, his legacy began to warp under the scrutiny of both enlightenment historians and antiquarian authors, entangling him in the legacies of nineteenth century Rosicrucianism and the occult revival. In the interview I talk with Tim about how he first became aware of Johannes Kelpius and what led him to write a book about the man. From there we discuss the environmental, political and theological upheaval that was happening in Europe in the time Kelpius lived and the esoteric ideas made available to him at university that would pique his spiritual curiosity  and deeply influence the religion he practiced. Tim also talks about some of the paranormal phenomena Kelpius witnessed in his lifetime, the events that would lead him to travel across the Atlantic Ocean to live a hermit-like existence in the wooded wilderness of Pennsylvania, and how we should view Kelpius' legacy today. Further details about American Aurora are available on the Oxford University Press website here and you can find out more about Tim and his work at https://www.timothygrieve-carlson.net/. If you enjoy what I do with Some Other Sphere and would like to support its upkeep you can make a donation via Ko-fi. To buy the podcast a coffee go to https://ko-fi.com/someotherspherepodcast. Thank you!   The Some Other Sphere theme is provided by Purple Planet Music - 'Hubbub' by Geoff Harvey and Chris Martyn.  

The unique historical nature of "American" Religion

In this episode, Tripp is joined by Dr. Jeffrey Pugh to introduce an eight-part audio documentary series on Dietrich Bonhoeffer, exploring his life, theology, and the rise of Nazi Germany. They discuss their personal journeys with Bonhoeffer, the complexity of his thought, and the historical context of his resistance to Hitler. They also highlight the accompanying class at www.RiseOfBonhoeffer.com, featuring interviews with Bonhoeffer scholars, live streams, and in-depth discussions to provide a nuanced picture of Bonhoeffer beyond the idealized hero. Engage with this comprehensive exploration of faith, resistance, and history, and understand the ongoing relevance of Bonhoeffer's legacy. You can WATCH this conversation on YouTube Join our upcoming class - THE RISE OF BONHOEFFER, for a guided tour of Bonhoeffer's life and thought. JOIN ME at PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY for an EVENT + LIVE PODCAST The Church, The Pastor, And Resonance In An Accelerated Age Theological Conversations With Hartmut Rosa September 23–24, 2024 · Hybrid Conference · Stuart Hall, Princeton Theological Seminary In a partnership between Luther Seminary and the Aberdeen Centre for Protestant Theology at the University of Aberdeen, the Center for Barth Studies at Princeton Theological Seminary would like to invite you to a conference honoring the work of eminent philosopher Hartmut Rosa in the fall of 2024 at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. Over the course of three days, noted theologians and scholars will engage Rosa's work on the topics of acceleration and resonance in the modern world. A range of leading scholars in the fields of practical and systematic theology will speak at the conference such as Andrew Root, Mirsolav Volf, and Philip Ziegler. The format will be a hybrid event so that participants can attend either in-person or virtually, which will allow for greater international attendance and participation. The Princeton Theological Seminary LIVE PODCAST will take place in Mackay dining hall @8pm on Monday, September 23rd. Previous Episodes with Dr. Pugh 5 Reasons we need Bonhoeffer now! Bonhoeffer's Religionless Christianity The Crisis of American Religion & Democracy: 1/6 a year later Jan 6th Theological Debrief: Adam Clark and Jeffrey Pugh The Secret Chart to the END OF TIME (kind of) with Jeffrey Pugh and Daniel Kirk God Loves Science (Fiction) with Jeff Pugh and Will Rose Jeffrey C. Pugh: Why Go Bonhoeffer? _____________________ Join my Substack - Process This! Join our upcoming class - THE RISE OF BONHOEFFER, for a guided tour of Bonhoeffer's life and thought. Come to THEOLOGY BEER CAMP. Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 600-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad dives into PRRI's 2023 Census of American Religion with Dr. Robert P. Jones, author of The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy. Together, they break down the ongoing decline of White Christian America, the growing number of younger people who are religiously unaffiliated, and the stark differences between the religious demographics of the Democratic and Republican parties. They dig into how these demographic shifts are shaping the culture and politics of the country, offering key insights into the religious and racial trends transforming the U.S. today. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/RC and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this minisode, I talk about the 2023 Census of American Religion published by PRRI. This is an adaptation & expansion of my latest post at The Post-Evangelical Post. Exvangelical & Beyond comes out in under a month! Pre-order now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://www.postevangelicalpost.com/about

In this episode of the Dialogue Out Loud podcast, host Taylor Petrey interviews Nicholas Shrum about his thought-provoking essay, “Materializing Faith and Politics: The Unseen Power of the NCCS Pocket Constitution in American Religion,” featured… The post Faith and Politics: A Conversation with Nicholas B. Shrum appeared first on Dialogue Journal.

In this episode of the Dialogue Out Loud podcast, host Taylor Petrey interviews Nicholas Shrum about his thought-provoking essay, “Materializing Faith and Politics: The Unseen Power of the NCCS Pocket Constitution in American Religion,” featured… The post Faith and Politics: A Conversation with Nicholas B. Shrum appeared first on Dialogue Journal.

Brittney Hartley is an Atheist Spiritual Director through the Center of Nonreligious Spirituality. Her book is entitled No Nonsense Spirituality: All the Tools, No Faith Required. She has a Masters Degree in Theology with a focus in the Future of American Religion. In this podcast interview, John Pinna and Britt Hartley discuss Hartley's journey from Mormonism to atheism and her work as a secular spiritual director and nihilism coach. They explore themes of religious deconstruction, brain biases in faith, the role of women in spirituality, and the concept of evil from an atheist perspective. Hartley shares her views on experiencing spirituality without religious beliefs, the importance of facing existential fears directly, and her approach to helping others find meaning and connection outside of traditional religious frameworks. The conversation also touches on the historical shift from matriarchy to patriarchy in religious systems and its impact on society. Throughout the interview, Hartley emphasizes the value of critical thinking, compassion, and personal exploration in developing a secular spiritual practice. You can find Britt on social media under the handle No Nonsense Spirituality. Special Guest: Brittney Hartley.

Brittney Hartley is an Atheist Spiritual Director, Author of No Nonsense Spirituality, and has a Masters Degree in Theology with a focus on the Future of American Religion. https://nononsensespirituality.com/ Karl Forehand is a former pastor, podcaster, and award-winning author. His books include Out into the Desert, Leaning Forward,  Apparent Faith: What Fatherhood Taught Me About the […]

Kristin Kobes Du Mez talks about the role of Christian pop culture in reshaping evangelical attitudes about gun rights, gender, and demographic changes sweeping across the country.

Jeanne Lewis reflects on how faith-rooted work differs from the organizing of previous eras and rejects the notion that the progressive movement has lost religion.

Women don’t always feel welcome in American mosques. They’re sometimes turned away, sent to basements to pray, or discouraged from serving on the boards of directors. Aisha al-Adawiya has devoted her life to changing that.

The issue advocacy campaign to urge voters in Michigan to cast an uncommitted ballot as a protest vote exceeded organizers' expectations and has sparked a movement spreading to other primary states.

This series is sponsored by Joel and Lynn Mael in memory of Estelle and Nysen Mael.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we begin our Denominations series by talking to Zev Eleff—historian, author, and the president of Gratz College—about the development of the denominations of Judaism we have in America today. We've been occupied for months with defending our right to be Jews in America, so perhaps this is the right time to return to considering the purpose of the Jewish lives we want to live. In this episode we discuss:How did America's Jewish “denominations”—better termed “movements”—as we know them come to be?What have the different Jewish movements each contributed to American Jewish life?How can we get back to not just fighting antisemitism, but uncovering the meaning of our Judaism?Tune in to hear a conversation about how previous generations of American Jews have handled the issues that, to one degree or another, threatened to divide us. Interview begins at 49:36.Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff is the president of Gratz College. Zev is the author and editor of nine books and more than 50 scholarly articles in the fields of Jewish Studies and American Religion, including Modern Orthodox Judaism: A Documentary History, Dyed in Crimson: Football, Faith, and Remaking Harvard's America, and Authentically Orthodox: A Tradition-Bound Faith in American Life. Zev's research focuses on American Jewish history, sports, and Modern Orthodox history. References:Jonathan Haidt on The Daily ShowAmmi Hirsch on Campus Chaos“Failure Goes to Yeshivah: What I've Learned From the Failure Narratives of My Students” by David BashevkinAuthentically Orthodox: A Tradition-Bound Faith in American Life by Zev EleffThe Birth of Conservative Judaism by Michael CohenAmerican Judaism by Jonathan D. SarnaThe Jews of the United States, 1654 to 2000 by Hasia R. DinerJew Vs Jew: The Struggle For The Soul Of American Jewry by Samuel G. FreedmanThis Is My God by Herman WoukJewish Continuity in America by Abraham J. Karp18Forty Podcast: “Halacha as a Language”

Samira Mehta discusses how words like “sacred,” “ensoulment,” “mother,” and “baby” have been used by both sides of the culture war over reproductive rights and how they have changed our perception of pregnancy.

Author Ann W. Duncan describes the “sacred pregnancy movement” and examines three major organizations involved. Their services range from sacred belly painting in luxurious retreat settings to helping process pregnancy loss.

A group of public health workers in North Carolina worked to foster trusting relationships to tackle vaccine hesitancy among Native Americans.

This special segment was produced by NPR’s Code Switch, co-hosts B. A. Parker and Gene Denby explore the curious twists and turns in the relationship between freedom-seeking activists across oceans and borders. 

Dr. Toni Pressley-Sanon's latest book, Lifting As They Climb: Black Women Buddhists and Collective Liberation explores how a growing number of Black women have integrated Buddhist practices into their spiritual lives.

A college student shares what it is like to be a religious Jew who rejects Zionism

Bob Otis, founding pastor of Sacred Garden Community Church, outlines its beliefs and practices. Then, the author of God on Psychedelics describes how psychedelic worship communities are proliferating.

Pastor Bob Otis describes his faith journey from a Christian home in Tennessee to a psychedelic church in Berkeley. Then, Chief Phillip Scott discusses the fine line between respectful use and cultural appropriation.

In 2023, the Religion News Service hired Richa Karmarkar as the first national religion reporter covering the Hindu beat. She hopes the growth of the Hindu community sparks interest and curiosity about the diversity of a religious tradition that is not well understood.

A trailblazer in Christian feminist theology, Dr. Mary Hunt, joins to reflect on how the world for women in religion has changed and how groups like hers are adapting. 

Dr. Connie Zweig discusses why spirituality—however it may be defined—is crucial to a fulfilling old age.

Cultural anthropologist Lynsey Farrell, co-founder of The Grandmother Collective, is building community by connecting older women with adolescent girls.

Carolina Nieto, director of Ashoka's Mexican, Central American, and Caribbean office–established a "council of elders" drawn from Spanish speakers across Latin America, hoping to tap into its members' wisdom, patience, and spirituality.

The leader of Word and Way, a Christian media company, is focused on building conversation spaces for Christians to deal with the MAGA version of Christianity and confront the political manipulation of scripture.

A new poll released by the Pew Research Center reinforces one key finding: Americans believe religion is a force for good in society.

What role does politics play in the mission of God? How do we navigate the political field without stepping on a cultural landmine? What should our political engagement look like? And what do we do with things like Christian nationalism? Today's guest is Cherie Harder, President of the Trinity Forum. Cherie Harder serves as President of the Trinity Forum. Before joining the Trinity Forum in 2008, Ms. Harder served in the White House as Special Assistant to the President and Director of Policy and Projects for First Lady Laura Bush.Earlier in her career she served as Policy Advisor to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, advising the Leader on domestic social issues and serving as liaison and outreach director to outside groups. From 2001 to 2005, she was Senior Counselor to the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), where she helped the Chairman design and launch the We the People initiative to enhance the teaching, study, and understanding of American history. Before that, Ms. Harder was the Policy Director for Senator Sam Brownback and also served as Deputy Policy Director at Empower America.She holds an Honors B.A. (magna cum laude) in government from Harvard University and a post-graduate diploma in literature from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, where she was a Rotary Scholar. She is also a Senior Fellow at Cardus, an Editorial Board member of Comment magazine, a past board member of Gordon College and the C.S. Lewis Institute, a current board member of the Convergence Center for Policy Resolution and Faith and Law, and an advisory board member of the National Museum of American Religion.Check out The Trinity Forum Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help water-thirsty souls by partnering with Apollos Watered!

Dr. Kameelah Mu’Min Oseguera joins us to explain why she sees interrogating the Western narrative of the enslaved as interconnected to Black Muslim mental health today.

Dr. Robert P. Jones, President and Founder of PRRI, discusses the latest research documenting the rising influence of Christian Nationalism in some segments of American politics.

As the United States vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, a group of multifaith peace activists began a journey from Philadelphia heading for the White House.

Emgage Action Michigan interim executive director Hira Khan joins to explain why her organization and volunteer network worked with partners to encourage voters to use the ballot to send a message instead of disengaging.

Women don’t always feel welcome in American mosques. They’re sometimes turned away, sent to basements to pray, or discouraged from serving on the boards of directors. Aisha al-Adawiya has devoted her life to changing that. She’s inspired a national campaign — and a fatwa — that’s persuading the men who control mosques to share space and power. Our partners at "The Spiritual Edge" brought this story to us.

On today's episode of the SSPX Podcast, we continue with the “Why Not” questions about what is reasonable to believe. In this episode, we examine Mormonism or, as it is officially known, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. On the surface, there are many similarities between Mormon families and traditional Catholic families. Their values seem to match up. But even though the surface is similar, there are substantial differences between Mormon beliefs and Christianity.