This weekend, tune in to State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, to get a rabbi’s perspective on the History Channel’s hit miniseries “The Bible;” to learn about how interfaith marriage is changing America; and to hear one scholar’s case against religion and for humanism.
“The Bible”
With record-breaking ratings and a considerable buzz among viewers, the History Channel’s ten-hour miniseries “The Bible” brought some of the stories of scripture to today’s religiously and culturally diverse audience. For many non-Christians viewers (or perhaps all American viewers if a new survey on the state of the Bible is believed), the series exposed them to Bible stories for the first time – and it did it from a very Christian perspective. Rabbi Michael Bernstein, author of the insightful Huffington Post column “Sharing Scripture: Interfaith Thoughts About ‘The Bible’,” speaks with Welton about the implications of the documentary and some of the missed opportunities he found in the series.
‘Til Faith Do Us Part
Today, most people of faith recognize the immense value of sharing and learning the teachings of different religious traditions. Although we are beginning to better understand the colorful tapestry of faith represented by members of our diverse community, an interfaith household brings its own set of challenges. A new book, ‘Til Faith Do Us Part: How Interfaith Marriage Is Transforming America, explores joys and challenges of interfaith marriage in a sensitive and respectful way. The book’s author, Naomi Schaefer Riley, joins Welton to discuss how interfaith marriages and relationships are positively transforming our nation.
A Case for Humanism
Philosophers and scholars have long tried to grasp the interconnectedness of beliefs and human society. One author and professor has delved deeply into what he sees as the reasons for the very existence of religion, and provocatively argues that in modern times, much of those reasons can be satisfied by science. A.C. Grayling, a leading voice in the Humanist Movement in the United Kingdom and author of The God Argument: the Case Against Religion and For Humanism, joins Welton this week on State of Belief. Professor Grayling explains the inevitable societal struggles between religion and secularism, and affirms that he’s not trying to convert anybody.
