Latest Show Nov. 30, 2013 – Helping Others During the Holidays

Happy Hanukkah! Happy Thanksgiving! This weekend, tune in to State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, for a discussion of how one professor thinks our public policies and private values are misaligned when it comes to immigration. Also, on this week’s episode hear about initiatives to assist those less fortunate, both domestically and through foreign aid – and the need for your voice to be heard.

An Unsure Future Without Immigration Reform
An estimated 11 million people will head into this holiday season unsure of their futures due to the unsettled status of immigration reform. Following a year defined by widespread activism surrounding fixing the system, legislation has yet to be passed. Joining State of Belief this week is Dr. Miguel de la Torre to discuss the frustrating Congressional inaction on immigration, and the misalignment of our public policies and private values. Dr. de la Torre is a professor of social ethics and Latino/a studies at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver and the author of many books, including his latest: Liberation Theology for Armchair Theologians.

Food Insecurity at Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a holiday long associated with food – too much food in some cases – but millions of Americans living with food insecurity are unable to mark the holiday with the traditional feast, especially after drastic cuts to US food aid programs at the beginning of the month. An increase in demand for public aid and the untimely cut in government programs has created a dire food situation in the country. On this week’s State of Belief, Jennifer Bailey, a food stamp outreach specialist at Community Food Advocates in Nashville, joins Welton to talk about this issue and what her organization is doing about it.

Foreign Aid in a Budget-Cutting Environment
At a time when the federal budget has become a national obsession and essential domestic aid programs are under attack, it might be easy to dismiss foreign aid as being beyond our means. However, as debates around budget and deficits continue, it’s important to not lose sight of the whole story and the initiatives that do the most good. One of those true success stories has been the remarkable impact of childhood health programs. The Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World, is on State of Belief this week to help dispel myths around foreign aid and to shed light on the importance of foreign aid programs.

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Thanksgiving: Sharing Our Home, Our Table, and Our Bounty – Next State of Belief!

By Ray Kirstein on November 29, 2013

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Happy Hanukkah and Happy Thanksgiving! Here’s what we’re serving up this weekend on State of Belief Radio.

Still waiting for a place at the table. The frustrating lack of progress on immigration reform: we talk to the Rev. Dr. Miguel de la Torre, who’s Professor of Social Ethics and Latino/a Studies at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver. His latest book is Liberation Theology for Armchair Theologians.

Also, the impact of recent cuts to food aid programs for the poor. You’ll meet the Rev. Jennifer Bailey, who is the Food Stamp Outreach Specialist at Community Food Advocates in Nashville, TN.

And the power of US foreign aid to save and improve lives around the world. Bread for the World President David Beckmann will explain why it’s both a moral imperative – and a very good deal.

Follow us on Facebook for updates and bulletins – and be sure to tune in! Here’s how to listen.

Methodist Marriage, Bible Belt Atheism, and Working on Thanksgiving – Next State of Belief!

By Ray Kirstein on November 20, 2013

circleonlyWhat a show we’ve got planned for you!

Even as the United Methodist Church was preparing for the trial of the Rev. Frank Schaeffer for performing a same-sex wedding ceremony for his own son, Arch Street United Methodist Church in Philadelphia joined in challenging the current position of the denomination by hosting the marriage of two longtime male members on November 9th. And what’s more, over 50 clergy joined Arch Street Senior Pastor, the Rev. Robin Hrynicka, in co-conducting the ceremony. This week, a Methodist jury found Rev. Schaeffer guilty, and sentenced him to a 30-day suspension – a sentence that anticipates his renouncing his commitment to equal blessings for LGBT couples. We’ll talk to Rev. Hrynicka about the trial, about the ceremony at his own church, and about why he considers the risks not only worth it – but necessary.

Earlier this year, two British comedians launched what’s come to be known as an “Atheist Church” in the UK. That’s led to a series of gatherings worldwide under the umbrella of “Sunday Assembly.” It’s been happening mostly in large cities, where diversity of viewpoints and beliefs is part of the atmosphere. But what about a small city in Louisiana – the heart of the Bible Belt? And what if a secular congregation there were led by a former local fundamentalist pastor? It’s not a hypothetical. The city is Lake Charles, the congregation is the Community Mission Chapel, and the founder is Jerry DeWitt, whom you’ll meet on this week’s State of Belief. Jerry’s written a book about his experiences, titled Hope after Faith: An Ex-Pastor’s Journey from Belief to Atheism.

We’ll then head back to Philadelphia to discuss workers’ rights with Bishop Dwayne Royster, Executive Director of POWER - Philadelphians Organizing to Witness, Empower and Rebuild. More stores than ever have announced they’ll be open on Thanksgiving day evening – and even morning, denying employees the chance to celebrate the holiday with their families. Has it really come to this – commerce over all else? What about the values so many of us espouse – is there no hope for our culture to reflect them anymore? We’ll look for answers together.

Follow us on Facebook for updates and bulletins – and be sure to tune in! Here’s how to listen.

A Fast for Families, Evolving Dharma, Climate Change Denial as Sin: Next State of Belief!

By Ray Kirstein on November 15, 2013

circleonlyA Fast for Families, calling for immigration reform. We’ll talk to Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, co-chair of the National African American Clergy Network who’s out on the National Mall in Washington, DC with other activists and faith leaders demanding that Congress act – now.

Then, a conversation with Dr. Jay Michaelson, author of the new book Evolving Dharma: Meditation, Buddhism, and the Next Generation of Enlightenment. Jay has also recently written in The Forward about a strange appearance by George W. Bush at a gathering of Messianic Jewish activists, and will explain why that’s a problem.

And in the aftermath of the Super-Typhoon that has caused so much suffering in the Philippines, Susan Thistlethwaite says that denial of global climate change is nothing less than – a sin. She’ll be here to explain.

And you’ll hear a few words from Welton about compassion in the face of unimaginable human suffering.

That’s all coming up this weekend on State of Belief! Here’s how to listen.