Zealots at the Gate

When Michael Wear briefed senior political leaders, he always included a simple slide showing how many Americans identify as religious. Once, one of them looked at it and said out loud, "Oh my God, there are that many of them?" Michael tells that story to make a point Christians often miss: When Democrats seem cold toward people of faith, it isn't always hostility. Sometimes it's just ignorance. Recorded at the Center for Christianity and Public Life's summit in Washington, DC, this conversation with Wear, CCPL's founder and former Obama faith adviser, asks why the Democratic Party keeps forgetting how to talk about faith. Links: Matthew Kaemingk and Shadi Hamid, Can Religion Save Democracy?: https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781587436895_can-religion-save-democracy Center for Christianity and Public Life:  https://www.ccpubliclife.org Michael Wear, The Spirit of Our Politics:  https://www.harpercollinschristian.com/9780310367239/the-spirit-of-our-politics/ Michael Wear, Reclaiming Hope: https://www.harpercollinschristian.com/9780718082321/reclaiming-hope/ Barack Obama's 2006 Call to Renewal address (transcript): https://sojo.net/articles/transcript-obamas-2006-sojournerscall-renewal-address-faith-and-politics David E. Campbell, Geoffrey C. Layman, and John C. Green, Secular Surge: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/secular-surge/97F16AA6E64D63718D58AF327100BFE2

Join us as we talk with journalist and author Bonnie Kristian about her new book, In Defense of Evangelicalism. Kristian illuminates the societal trends toward the "monstering" of evangelicalism and argues for fair treatment of her faith community. Matt and Shadi press her on voting trends, the evangelical pro-life stance, evangelical views of Islam, and more. Links Matt and Shadi wrote a book! Can Religion Save Democracy? is now available for pre-order at https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9781587436895_can-religion-save-democracy and is currently 40% off! Follow Bonnie Kristian on Substack: https://bonniekristian.substack.com/

Leah Libresco Sargeant and Hadia Mubarak join Matt and Shadi to discuss what feminism looks like within their respective commitments to Catholicism and Islam. Libresco, an author and speaker and atheist-to-Catholic convert, argues for the consistency of women's dignity and the Catholic faith, even while pushing back against some of the assumptions of "secular" feminism. Mubarak, associate professor of religion at Queens University of Charlotte, likewise asserts that the core of Islam is equitable, not patriarchal, between the sexes. Toward the end of the episode, Matt and Shadi take a step back to allow Libresco and Mubarak to explore their similarities and differences. Links Leah Libresco Sargeant's website: https://leahlibresco.com/ Leah's book, The Dignity of Dependence, mentioned in the show About Hadia Mubarak at Queens University Charlotte: https://www.queens.edu/artsci/campus-directory/hadia-mubarak-phd/ Hadia's newest book: Rebellious Wives, Neglectful Husbands: Controversies in Modern Qurʾanic Matt and Shadi wrote a book! Can Religion Save Democracy? is now available for pre-order at https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9781587436895_can-religion-save-democracy and is currently 40% off!

Matt and Shadi's initiative, The Faith and Future of Democracy Initiative, is now housed at the Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University. The two sat down with the center director and Georgetown faculty member Nader Hashemi to discuss the current state of affairs in Iran. An expert on Iranian global politics, Hashemi brings his expertise, perspective, and commitment to pluralism into this conversation. This includes questions about democracy, global relations, and more. Join us as we engage with issues of global politics, religion, and the future of global democracy.  Links: ACMCU: https://acmcu.georgetown.edu/ Dr. Hashemi's website: https://naderhashemi.com/biography/ Matt and Shadi wrote a book! Can Religion Save Democracy? is now available for pre-order at https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9781587436895_can-religion-save-democracy and is currently 40% off!

What are the lessons of 9/11? What does it mean to "never forget"? Join Matt and Shadi as they reflect on the fact that Muslims and Christians remember 9/11 and its aftermath quite differently. Together, Matt and Shadi share their personal stories from that day, reflect on how 9/11 continues to impact their careers, and acknowledge the key role 9/11 played in bringing them together. Links: George W. Bush's speech at a mosque on September 17, 2001: https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010917-11.html Matt and Shadi wrote a book! Can Religion Save Democracy? is now available for pre-order at https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9781587436895_can-religion-save-democracy and is currently 40% off!