This weekend on State of Belief, a look at the role religion can or should play in helping to resolve the conflict in the Gaza Strip. Plus, a new lawsuit hopes to keep God out of the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. And, could new “midnight” regulations from the Bush administration pit a doctor’s religious freedom against a patient’s right to controversial medical procedures?
Host Welton Gaddy speaks with William F. Vendley, Secretary General of the World Conference of Religions for Peace, about the recent violence in the Gaza Strip and the role religion can play in negotiating peace. Dr. Vendley has negotiated peace settlements in areas as diverse as Iraq, Indonesia, Sierra Leone and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
And, the man who challenged the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance joins Welton to talk about his latest court case. Dr. Michael Newdow is a California physician who joins a number of aetheist organizations in a federal lawsuit to keep mentions of God and prayer out of the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.
Listen to Michael Newdow’s previous appearance on State of Belief.
Plus, hear Welton’s conversation about the new, last-minute regulations issued by President Bush’s head of Health and Human Services. Some say the new regulations could pit doctors against patients when it comes to controversial procedures. Dr. Farr Curlin from the MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics at the University of Chicago weighs in.
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Religion and radio done differently – this weekend on State of Belief.