Segments
Tune in this weekend to Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast State of Belief to hear Welton Gaddy dive deeper into what Catholics think about contraceptives, discover what we’re not hearing about Catholics on Capitol Hill, learn about the state of religious freedom in the military and discuss the perils of casually tossing around “religious liberty” with the Right Reverend Gene Robinson.
What Catholics Think About Contraceptives
It’s become obvious that there is a deep gap between the America in which real people live and the America we see political leaders talking about on the news 24/7. Dr. Robert P. Jones, CEO and founder of Public Religion Research Institute, joins us this week to give us a closer look at the PRRI survey out last week that’s been popping up everywhere in the discussion about the contraceptive controversy. The PRRI team found that a majority of Catholics support requiring employers, including religiously affiliated colleges & hospitals, to provide health coverage plans that cover birth control for their employees at no cost. Listen in to find what that means for the debate and if there are any implications for the 2012 elections.
Catholics on Capitol Hill
While the media focused on the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ opposition to the Obama administration contraception mandate, the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development has been working on Capitol Hill to advance economic and social justice goals – including the extension of unemployment insurance. Kathy Saile, director of Domestic Social Development for the USCCB, joins us this week to let us know what the media has been missing.
Religious Freedom in the Military
With the war in Iraq officially over and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” relegated to the history books, the military has become a less-frequently discussed news item. But for men and women on active duty and for the many people of conscience in all branches of our armed forces, there continues to be a grave concern about a pervasive conservative Christian aspect to our military. This week, Rev. Gaddy talks with a leader in exposing and opposing the pervasiveness of conservative Christianity in the military – Michael “MIkey” Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation and author of No Snowflake in an Avalanche: The Military Religious Freedom Foundation, its Battle to Defend the Constitution, and One Family’s Courageous War against Religious Extremism in High Places. Weinstein explores the roots of the religious freedom issues in our military, recounts his personal experiences in the military and forecasts what’s next in the cause of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation.
The Perils of Casually Tossing around “Religious Liberty”
Rev. Gaddy had the exciting opportunity to sit down with the Right Reverend Gene Robinson, Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire, for a wide-ranging and unforgettable hour-long interview. We’ll bring you the full interview on a future edition of State of Belief, but this week, a timely excerpt has Bishop Robinson discussing how the casual use of the phrase “religious liberty” is hurting the separation of the institutions of religions and the institutions of government.
