In 2012

This weekend, tune in to Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, State of Belief, to meet a Methodist pastor who celebrated the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, to hear insightful commentary about the recent controversy stemming from Missouri Congressman Todd Akin’s comments on rape, to get more information on getting Thomas Jefferson right, and to learn about what President Obama and Governor Romney told the Washington National Cathedral about their faiths.

Rep. Akin’s Bad, Bad Science
A week ago, six-term Republican Congressman Todd Akin of Missouri sparked a firestorm with comments he made about rape and abortion on a St. Louis television station. Since Akin opened his mouth, pundits are speculating on what his comments mean for his race against Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill, and fellow Republicans (including VP nominee Paul Ryan) have called for him to drop out of the race. Sarah Posner, Religion Dispatches senior editor, has written insightfully about both the controversy and the origins of Akin’s beliefs – which aren’t that out of step with the GOP’s 2012 platform. Click here for extended interview and transcript.

Getting Jefferson Right
In an age when even historical truth seems to have become relative, historical revisionist David Barton has hit a wall. His publisher took the unprecedented step of withdrawing his book, The Jefferson Lies. Joining Welton on State of Belief again this week is Dr. Warren Throckmorton, co-author of the book, Getting Jefferson Right: Fact Checking Claims about our Third President. You’ll hear Dr.Throckmorton, associate professor of psychology at Grove City College in Pennsylvania, talk about getting Jefferson right and the lies within The Jefferson LiesClick here for extended interview and transcript.

A Methodist Pastor’s Ramadan Fast
When Rev. Dr. Wes Magruder, senior associate pastor at First Rowlett United Methodist Church in Rowlett, Texas, decided to join his longtime friend, Imam Yaseen Shaikh of Plano, in observing the Ramadan fast, he couldn’t have foreseen the spiritual growth it would offer – but neither did he foresee the noisy objections that arose from within his own congregation. Rev. Magruder is on State of Belief to share his story – a story you won’t want to miss. Click here for extended interview and transcript.

In their Own Words: Obama and Romney on Faith
Since 1925, the Washington National Cathedral has published a quarterly magazine, Cathedral Age. Last week the magazine scored a headline-making exclusive when it printed interviews with President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney focusing on the candidates’ relationships with their faiths. Welton talks to the interim dean of the Cathedral, the Rev. Dr. Francis Wade, about the interviews, which you can read online at the Cathedral’s websiteClick here for extended interview and transcript.

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