In 2018

Almost immediately after being sworn into office last year, Donald Trump didn’t waste any time attempting to enact his campaign promise to restrict US entry of people from a number predominately Muslim countries. The ban has been tied up in courts, working its way to the highest court in the land. This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s radio show and podcast, we will hear voices from the steps of the Supreme Court in support of Muslims, immigrants and refugees as the justices inside heard arguments for and against the Trump Administration’s Muslim ban.

Not even a year after Nazis and white supremacists marched through the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia, a group of Nazis rallied in Newnan, Georgia, before moving to Draketown where they burned a large swastika. The symbol of hate burned only 40 miles away from the pulpit from which the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., once spoke. This week, Welton will speak with the Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock, who has been the senior pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church since 2005, about the rally and about the role of the church in pushing back against racism, anti-Semitism and bigotry.

We often talk on State of Belief about how the religious right is slowly and successfully expanding their reach into the U.S. government, blurring the line between Church and State. However, there are well-funded groups also exporting their particular brand of so-called biblical values around the world. People like Scott Lively and organizations like the World Congress of Families and Capitol Ministries bring money, Bibles, and homophobia to countries ripe for this kind of proselytizing. Peter Montgomery, senior fellow at People for the American Way, recently reported about the international proliferation of these organizations and “ministries” like that of Ralph Drollinger, and will join Welton this week to discuss his findings.

This past Wednesday, the Supreme Court heard arguments on the constitutionality of the Trump Muslim ban. A diverse group of activists and advocates – many of them faith-inspired – was on hand to call for a decision that’s moral and constitutional. Interfaith Alliance President Rabbi Jack Moline was on the steps of the Supreme Court and gathered voices from the activists and advocates he met. Jack will also share his reflections and experience at the rally in support of Muslims, immigrants and refugees.

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