Independence for All – Marriage Equality and What It Means For Our Country

This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show
and podcast, host Rev. Welton Gaddy, celebrates the Supreme Court’s
decision on marriage equality. The Rt. Reverend Gene Robinson, the first
openly gay Bishop in the Episcopalian Church, and Rabbi Jack Moline,
the Executive Director of Interfaith Alliance, will talk about their
reactions to the Supreme Court’s decision and their predictions for the
future. Also, Amy Kittelstrom, a professor at Sonoma State University,
will share her thoughts on the relationship between religion and
government. Finally, Welton addresses some extremist responses from
different public figures in the wake of the Obergefell decision, proving that a battle has been won, but not the war.

Predicting the Impact of the Recent Obergefell Decision
Exactly two years ago, the Supreme Court ruled in two cases that
dramatically expanded marriage rights in America, and paved the way for
the rapid advance of marriage equality. Now, in Obergefell vs. Hodges,
the Supreme Court has sealed the deal, declaring marriage to be a right
that cannot be denied to same-sex couples across the nation. Rt. Reverend Gene Robinson,
as the first openly gay man to be installed as a Bishop in the
Episcopal Church, knows a little something about history-making moments
in the struggle for LGBT equality. This week he’ll join Welton to talk
about the long road to this moment, and how a contentious issue can
instead be turned to help bring us together.

LGBT Acceptance and Understanding: Rabbi Jack Moline Discusses the Importance of Interfaith Partnerships
For Interfaith Alliance, a decision like the one in Obergefell v. Hodges
is long overdue. Under Welton’s leadership, Interfaith Alliance worked
with a diverse team of religious groups, coalitions, and parties to
advance marriage equality. Rabbi Jack Moline, the
organization’s current Executive Director, will speak about his
experiences with other religious advocates leading up to this case and
his reaction after the decision. Rabbi Moline will also share the role
he believes this issue will play in the upcoming election as well as how
Interfaith Alliance intends to continue to support LGBT rights –
particularly as others try and coopt the language of religious liberty
to undo this progress.

An Honest Look at America’s True Religious History
As we celebrate our nation’s birthday, one particular brand of
Christianity continues to try to co-opt our history, alienating many
more moderate people of faith in the process. After 15 years of
exhaustive research, Amy Kittelstrom, a professor of
Modern U.S. History and Transnational Intellectual Culture at Sonoma
State University, delves deeper into the complex relationship between
religion and our origins using texts from nineteenth-century thinkers.
Yes, religion played quite a role in our nation’s founding – but a very
different one than is being promoted by today’s revisionists. Her book
is titled The Religion of Democracy: Seven Liberals and the American
Moral Tradition.

Finding a Comfortable Balance between Religion and Government is an Uphill Battle
In the week since the Obergefell decision was handed down, many
people throughout the country have rejoiced, and even many of those who
may feel their religion is at odds with this decision have greeted it
with respect. However, there are people and organizations that do not
stand with the LGBT community and have vocalized their (hyperbolic)
concerns about the downfall of the United States. In this final segment,
Welton responds to several conservative leaders who want you to think
the sky is falling.