The State Of Belief

Can a family be radical, and radically ordinary, at the same time? The question came up as I interviewed my guest this week – author Brad Gooch, who happens to be married to host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, and the other dad to their two kids. Brad has written a book, Good Morning Moon: A Snapshot of an American Family, that’s both a personal memoir and a loving telling of their family’s story. During Pride Month, as same-gender families are being challenged on religious and political grounds, it’s wonderful to step away from the struggles and celebrate just how beautifully ordinary this radical life has turned out to be. It’s also wonderful to celebrate how marriage equality, the law of the land since 2015, has turned out not to be the affront to religious freedom and traditional values despite all the fearmongering we’ve all endured. Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons authored a comprehensive new Interfaith Alliance report, Same-Gender Marriage and Religious Freedom, and he joins me to share some highlights. More about our guests: Brad Gooch is a best-selling poet, novelist and biographer whose books include biographies of Keith Haring, Frank O’Hara, Rumi, and Flannery O’Connor. His latest book is titled Good Morning Moon: A Snapshot of an American Family. It’s part memoir, part mystery, and a profile of the way many of us have been living, particularly since marriage equality became the law of the land. Dr. Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons is Senior Vice President of Programs and Policy at Interfaith Alliance. Also living in a same-gender marriage, Guthrie is the author of Just Faith: Reclaiming Progressive Christianity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does courage look like on the ground? For many faith leaders and everyday citizens, it involves showing up despite risks, discomfort, or opposition. Dr. Simran Jeet Singh, scholar and activist, describes courage rooted in love and fearlessness—values encoded in Sikh teachings like nirpo (fearlessness) and nirvad (without hatred). Simran reflects that true bravery is not about bravado or self-assertion but about steadfastly choosing love over hatred, even when faced with hate or violence. For example, during a clergy-led protest in Minnesota, ordinary people—clergy, community members, and even those with vulnerabilities—stood on the front lines, committed to protecting their neighbors and advocating for justice. Their actions exemplify that small, consistent acts of love and solidarity are the most powerful resistance to authoritarian tactics. This kind of courage asks us to stand with neighbors in difficult moments, practice humility and listen deeply, and act lovingly in the face of fear. The author of the best-selling book The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life, Simran shares a story from Sikh tradition that struck me: a tiny lantern flickering in the darkness, not to fix everything but to let a little light shine. When enough of those lanterns light up, the darkness begins to lift. It’s a simple, powerful lesson: humility, love, and perseverance are acts of courage. Thursday, Feb. 5th was the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC. This purportedly apolitical event has turned into a “partisan farce,” in the words of US Rep. Jim Clyburn. He spoke with us exclusively about his reasons for not attending the breakfast, and you’ll hear that along with the comments of other members of Congress who have also made the difficult decision to absent themselves: Rep. Jared Huffman, Rep. Lucy McBath, and then Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, who is also an ordained minister. Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush was invited to share thoughts about the Christian Nationalist takeover of the National Prayer Breakfast on C-Span, and you’ll hear an excerpt of that on this week’s show, as well. More about Simran Jeet Singh Dr. Simran Jeet Singh is a scholar, educator, writer and activist, who focuses on religion and racism. Simran is a professor at the historic Union Theological Seminary and Senior Advisor for the Aspen Institute’s Religion & Society Program, a columnist for the Religion News Service, and a contributor for TIME Magazine. A Texas native, Simran is the author of several important books, including the national best-seller The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life, and his Substack is titled, More of This, Please. Simran also hosts Wisdom & Practice, a new podcast by The Aspen Institute and PRX. He's working on a new television series titled Undivided. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this edition of The State of Belief, Democracy Forward President and CEO (and one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World 2025) Skye Perryman is back to talk about the first year of this presidency. Democracy Forward has filed hundreds of court challenges to the administration’s unconstitutional power grab and has been remarkably successful in winning most of them. She stresses that not even the conservative Supreme Court has always sided with this administration and that lower court judges rejecting executive branch policies are sometimes Trump appointees themselves. Skye and host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush talk about the essential role for people of all faith traditions and belief systems to hold fast to their values and teachings regardless of the forces buffeting society, and how important maintaining community connections is to get through the enormous challenges we are all facing right now. "Courage is the new currency," Skye often says, and stresses that there are many, many ways for people of good conscience to get involved in the work of defending and rebuilding our democracy - including, admittedly, options that do involve personal risk. Democracy Forward has just released its 2025 Impact Report, documenting how the power of people in courts and communities has, again and again, been victorious over the relentless power grab of this administration. Skye stresses that these successes have come, in great part, thanks to the intense preparation that was done ahead of the election, and that a proactive stance regarding what may come next continues to be essential. It’s available at https://democracyforward.org/work/research/2025-impact-report/ More About Skye Perryman: Skye L. Perryman is the President and CEO of Democracy Forward, a nonpartisan, national legal organization that promotes democracy and progress through litigation, regulatory engagement, communications, policy education, and research. Named as one of the 2025 100 Most Influential People in the World by TIME Magazine, Skye took the helm at Democracy Forward a few months after January 6, 2021, in the midst of rising extremism in communities and courts across the country. Skye has testified before the U.S. Congress and other expert bodies, and her legal work has been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court as well as state supreme courts. She is a frequent guest on network and cable television news programs, and her work and commentary are routinely covered in national newspapers, newsmagazines, and radio broadcasts. Skye Perryman is also an invaluable member of the Interfaith Alliance board. More about Democracy Forward: Since January 2025, Democracy Forward has played a leading role in inspiring courage and in protecting the American people from harmful and unlawful federal executive action. The organization has filed hundreds of legal actions, launched hundreds of investigations, and, through its Democracy 2025 initiative, has organized the largest, most successful affirmative litigation effort against executive branch excesses in United States history. ‍ Please forward this episode of The State of Belief to one person who would enjoy hearing this conversation - and thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest episode of The State of Belief, we dive into the vital theme of religious freedom as portrayed in the new film, The Testament of Ann Lee. Joining host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush for this enlightening discussion are Interfaith Alliance colleagues and film fans Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons and Alyssa Klein.Here are three key takeaways from the conversation that will resonate with many: The Intersection of Faith and Feminism: One of the most compelling aspects of The Testament of Ann Lee is its portrayal of a strong female figure in a religious leadership role. Alyssa notes that Ann Lee's story highlights how Christianity and feminism can coexist, challenging the often male-dominated narratives within religious traditions - but also illustrate the unfair gender-based challenges that she faced, and that continue to dominate much of organised religion today. The Ongoing Struggle for Religious Freedom: Guthrie emphasizes the historical context of Ann Lee's journey, illustrating how her quest for religious freedom in the 1700s mirrors the ongoing struggles many face today. The film serves as a reminder that the fight for true religious freedom is not just about the freedom to practice one's faith but also about ensuring that this freedom extends to all, regardless of their beliefs. This is particularly relevant as we approach Religious Freedom Day on January 16th, a time to reflect on what religious freedom truly means in a diverse society. Courage in the Face of Adversity: Both guests highlight the courage displayed by Ann Lee and her followers as they faced persecution for their beliefs. This theme of courage is not only relevant to the historical context of the Shakers but also resonates with contemporary movements advocating for social justice and equality. Listen to this episode and reflect on how these themes of faith, feminism, and freedom can inspire us in our own lives and communities. Let's continue the conversation about what it means to truly embrace religious freedom for everyone. More About Our Guests:Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons is vice president of program and strategy at Interfaith Alliance. Author of the book Just Faith: Reclaiming Progressive Christianity, Guthrie holds an MDiv from Union Theological Seminary in New York City and is a fellow at the Center for American Progress Faith and Progressive Policy Initiative. Read Guthrie's column on The Testament of Ann Lee here.Alyssa Klein is a journalist and the creative force behind Interfaith Alliance's social media strategy. With a focus on art, advocacy, and social change, she's worked for prominent causes including the Women's March on Washington. Her writing has appeared in Vice, among other periodicals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest episode of The State of Belief features two incredible guests: attorneys Mary Bonauto, a trailblazer in the fight for marriage equality who serves as Senior Director of Civil Rights and Legal Strategies at GLADLaw, and Ben Marcus, Senior Constitutional Law Fellow at GLADLaw. Together, they share invaluable insights on the current landscape of LGBTQ+ rights, particularly in the wake of recent legal challenges. Here are just three of the themes that stood out: The Resilience of Marriage Equality: Mary reflects on the recent Supreme Court decision regarding Kim Davis's attempt to challenge Obergefell v. Hodges (which Mary argued before the high court in 2015). Despite the fears surrounding the potential reversal of marriage equality, the unanimous decision from the Court signals a strong commitment to protecting the rights of same-sex couples. Mary emphasizes that the societal benefits of marriage—providing stability and protection for families—are too significant to overlook. This reinforces the idea that marriage equality is not just a legal issue but a fundamental aspect of human dignity and community well-being. The Role of Religious Communities: Ben highlights that not all religious individuals oppose LGBTQ+ rights. In fact, many religious communities are allies, advocating for equality and inclusion. This challenges the narrative that LGBTQ+ rights and religious freedom are inherently oppositional. By fostering dialogue within religious spaces, we can create a more inclusive environment that respects diverse identities and beliefs, ultimately enriching our communities. The Urgent Need for Advocacy in Education: Both Mary and Ben stress the critical situation facing LGBTQ+ youth, particularly transgender individuals, in schools. With increasing hostility and discrimination, many students are forced to seek education outside of traditional settings. This underscores the need for robust anti-discrimination policies and supportive educational environments. As advocates, we must work tirelessly to ensure that all students feel safe and valued in their schools, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This episode is a must-listen for anyone concerned with understanding the complexities of LGBTQ+ rights in today's society. Join us as we explore these pressing issues and discuss how we can all contribute to a more equitable future. More about the guests: Attorney Mary Bonauto has been with GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLADLaw) since 1990. She first fought for marriage equality in Massachusetts, as lead counsel in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health. She won, making that the first state to allow same-sex couples to marry, in 2004. In 2015, Mary was one of three attorneys who successfully argued before the Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges, leading to the expansion of the right to marry to all 50 states. Mary is a 2014 MacArthur Genius Grant recipient, and this past January, she received the Presidential Citizens Medal in a White House ceremony. Ben Marcus is an attorney and Senior Constitutional Law Fellow at GLADLaw, the leading LGTBQ+ legal services and civil rights organization. Ben has a deep interest in the relationship between religion and law, with a JD from Yale Law School and a master’s from Harvard Divinity School. Ben has held multiple positions at the Freedom Forum since 2015. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices