Defending churches and other sensitive locations from government intrusion
Holly Hollman: At times, exercising religious freedom requires using the courts and Congress to stop government action that would undermine it, such as a recent change in immigration policy that threatens to make churches a target of wide-ranging expansion of law enforcement.
S6, Ep. 11: African Americans and Religious Freedom
Podcast S6, Ep. 11: African Americans and Religious Freedom Dr. Sabrina E. Dent and Dr. Coery D.B. Walker join Amanda and Holly to discuss the need to expand the narrative of religious freedom African Americans’ knowledge traditions, religious practices, political...S6, Ep. 10: March Madness: Department of Education, school vouchers, and a Supreme Court preview
Actions and rumors of actions in Washington, D.C., are continuing to dominate the news cycle and keep people on edge. On this episode of Respecting Religion, Amanda and Holly discuss the devastation of dismantling the Department of Education and the problematic push for a nationwide school voucher program. They also look at the latest in the battle between faith communities and the Trump administration to protect sensitive locations from immigration raids, and they preview the three religious liberty cases on the Supreme Court’s docket this term.
S6, Ep. 09: Threats to religious freedom from the Trump administration and a look at the growing resistance
In our second show of the second Trump administration, Amanda and Holly run through a list of recent events that point to a gross misunderstanding of what “religious freedom” means. They review the policy announcements made during the National Prayer Breakfast – including the creation of a task force to “eradicate anti-Christian bias” – and they look at how this administration’s accusations and actions are limiting the religious freedom of several Christian groups who serve others. They also discuss the growing resistance, including court challenges and two opportunities for action to share your views with Congress and the Trump administration. In the final segment, Amanda and Holly share how BJC is celebrating Black History Month with a special invitation.
S6, Ep. 08: Ten Commandments and Trump’s first week
In this episode, Amanda and Holly discuss the problems with government mandates to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms, focusing on a case out of Louisiana. BJC and other Christian groups filed a brief in that case to explain why, as Christians, we oppose the Louisiana law and how the government’s decision to choose a religious text to display in a public school setting not only cheapens our faith but also puts the government in a role it is not called to play. Plus, Amanda and Holly talk through President Donald Trump’s first week back in the White House, sharing where they saw concerning signs for religion and religious liberty.
S6, Ep. 05: Secularization and the fracturing of the American left w/ John Compton, Angela Parker, and David Gushee
Today’s Respecting Religion podcast you a special presentation on the politics of secularization, featuring a presentation from Dr. John Compton and responses from Rev. Dr. David Gushee and Rev. Dr. Angela Parker. Given the week after the 2024 presidential election, the lecture and responses explore how rising secularism contributes to the growth of political extremism, how flagging participation in faith traditions correlates to diminishing civic engagement, and the importance of taking a holistic approach to the various issues undermining democracy and dividing progressive movements.
Compton: Rising secularism is problematic for democracy
An increase in the secularization of society does not minimize religious and political tensions; instead it contributes to the growth of political extremism, xenophobia and anti-democratic values, says Dr. John Compton.
Touring the country with ‘How to End Christian Nationalism’
Amanda Tyler’s book tour for ‘How to End Christian Nationalism’ highlights local organizations making an impact
S6, Ep. 01: The Supreme Court is back … and so are we
To kick off season 6 of Respecting Religion, Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman take stock of the Supreme Court. There is no religion case on the docket – yet – for this term, but there are several cases that do impact religion. They review the most important things we saw out of last year’s term – from the “Trump docket” to the abortion cases – and they talk about how the Rahimi decision about a gun regulation illustrates the trouble with the Court’s new “history and tradition” test. Plus, this is the last episode before the release of Amanda’s book “How to End Christian Nationalism,” and they preview the upcoming book tour and how you can participate.
A conversation with Shurden Lecturer Dr. John Compton
Dr. John Compton will talk about the politics of secularization during the 20th annual Walter B. and Kay W. Shurden Lectures on Religious Liberty and Separation of Church and State, held on the campuses of Mercer University in Macon and Atlanta, Georgia, this November.
Difference does not mean division
Efforts to ban books see differences — such as religious differences — as a threat instead of understanding the benefits of lifting and listening to diverse voices and experiences.
