Faithful involvement in elections
“You cannot divorce religion from politics or separate Christians from the duties of secular citizenship,” writes Holly Hollman.
Democracy in action
“On a beautiful March evening in the nation’s Capitol building, I experienced a hopeful moment of representative democracy,” writes Amanda Tyler about her experience attending the State of the Union address.
Report from the Capital – 2024 Archive
Archives Magazine Archives Magazine Archives BY YEAR 20242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005 Report from the Capital is our flagship magazine to help you stay current on religious liberty news. Read the current issue Spring...Black Baptists meet in historic convening to address critical issues facing the community
For only the second time in history, the four Black Baptist denominations — the National Baptist Convention USA, Progressive National Baptist Convention, National Baptist Convention in America, and the National Missionary Baptist Convention — held a joint meeting in Memphis, Tenn., from Jan. 22-25, 2024.
S5, Ep. 22: Spring break and religious holidays
There are many religious holidays in the spring, but not all are given the same public acknowledgment – from government-sponsored events to time off from school and work. Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman discuss how Christian privilege shows up in how our country recognizes and accommodates certain holidays, as well as how holidays help us understand and celebrate the religious pluralism in our country.
Chaplains, faith groups, and civil rights organizations oppose public school chaplain programs
In three open letters to state lawmakers, more than 200 individual chaplains, along with dozens of faith groups and civil rights organizations, are speaking out against a wave of proposed state legislation seeking to install chaplains in public schools across the country.
BJC: New rule from nine federal agencies safeguards religious freedom
A new federal rule buttresses the religious liberty protections of beneficiaries of federally-funded social services, according to BJC.
S5, Ep. 18: A chief justice or chief theologian for Alabama?
An alarming ruling from the Alabama Supreme Court is leading to the shutdown of in vitro fertilization clinics, and the concurrence’s use of Scripture and Christian theology is causing additional concerns. Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman look at this troubling ruling, the various religious views on life, and why it’s an issue for a justice to cite the Bible in an opinion.
Is politics today’s biggest threat to faith?
Writing for TIME magazine, author and sociology professor Dr. Samuel Perry makes the case that the growing secularization of America is in part a result of our broken politics.
S5, Ep. 15: Black America’s changing religious landscape
Much is said and assumed about the religious landscape of Black America, but it’s more diverse than the common narratives. Holly Hollman speaks with Dr. Sabrina E. Dent and Dr. Anthony Pinn about misconceptions and how they brought together Black Church leaders and Black nontheists for key conversations. Tune in for this open and honest conversation about how we can work across racial and religious lines to help all communities thrive.
S5, Ep. 14: Faith in elections
What is the role of churches and other houses of worship in protecting democracy? This topic usually comes up because of bad actors that overstep into partisanship, but today’s show looks at how faith communities can help our elections run smoothly. Holly Hollman speaks with Chris Crawford of Protect Democracy – a nonprofit, cross-ideological organization that has a new playbook to help faith communities ensure “all eligible voters can access a ballot and every valid vote is counted.” Learn more about how people of faith can love their neighbors and take active roles in protecting our system of government.
S5, Ep. 13: ‘God Made Trump,’ Biden campaigns at a church, and more news from the campaign trail
Now that the first votes have been cast in the presidential primaries, Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman look at some of the troubling statements and activities on the campaign trail concerning the role of religion and religious freedom – from both Democrats and Republicans. While candidates are – and should be – free to talk about the ways their faith inspires them, there are some red lines when it comes to politicking in houses of worship with tax-exempt resources or using political power as a way to impose religion on others.
