In 2014

This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, Welton dives into the latest data on America’s changing religious and political trends and checks in on two of the newest fronts in the long struggle for equality for the LGBT community. Tune in to hear from Evangelical activist Matthew Vines about his work to build a bible-based movement for marriage equality, and Dr. Austin Dacey about social conservatives’ attempt to build an anti-LGBT caucus at the United Nations. And don’t miss a special look into the 2014 American Values Survey with Public Religion Research Institute’s Dr. Robert P. Jones. Download Icon

Economic Insecurity, Rising Inequality and Doubts About the Future
Every year the Public Religion Research Institute puts out an excellent snapshot of America’s political and religious mood called the American Values Survey. This year’s report, released last week, offers a stark look at many America’s despair about individuals’ – and the country’s – economic situation and the precariousness of the future. Additionally, the report uncovers some truly fascinating trends in American perceptions of religious freedom. This week Welton invites back Dr. Robert P. Jones, CEO of PRRI, to walk us through the survey and share what he found the most surprising about this report.

Exporting the Religious Right to… The United Nations?
We’ve recently brought you several stories about how the Religious Right, having lost many of its battles here at home, is setting its sights on projecting its culture war agenda abroad. Now they’ve set their sights on the UN Human Rights Commission, where no protections for LGBT persons have been adopted. So the strategy is to get there first with a “Declaration on the Rights of Children and Their Families.” Kids deserve a married mom and dad as a fundamental right. Sound like they’re leaving something out, doesn’t it? Dr. Austin Dacey wrote about this sneaky initiative for Religion Dispatches, and joins us to expose the so-called UN Family Rights Caucus and their attempt to pass a rabidly anti-LGBT “Declaration on the Rights of Children and Their Families.” CLICK HERE FOR EXTENDED INTERVIEW VIDEO AND TRANSCRIPT

A Sneak Peak at the Upcoming Reformation Project Conference
We last hosted openly gay Evangelical Christian activist Matthew Vines when he published his book, God And The Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-sex Relationships. Matthew continues to work building a movement of Evangelical Christians in support of LGBT rights, and this week we’re thrilled to bring him back with an update on his important work. Vines’ organization – the Reformation Project – will be holding a regional training conference in Washington, D.C. this November to help equip Christians with the materials to be strong advocates. Welton and Matthew will discuss the exciting line-up of speakers at the upcoming conference and the next steps in this remarkable movement. CLICK HERE FOR EXTENDED INTERVIEW VIDEO

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