Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue

Clemson Sociology professor Andrew Whitehead discusses how Christian nationalism drives American politics in these 2020 episodes. Andrew has co-authored the book, ‘Taking America Back for God.’ Andrew Whitehead is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Clemson University. He is interested in how religion both shapes and is shaped by the surrounding culture and how this influences various social in...

This is a great conversation with author Erik Seeman about the passion Americans have had for communication with the dearly departed. These 2020 episodes offer excellent insight into how we became the culture we have. Listen. Learn. Repeat. Theme music "Nigal."

Khyati Y. Joshi joins us for conversation on her new book, ‘White Christian Privilege: The Illusion of Religious Equality in America.’ Khyati Y. Joshi is a Professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University and author of ‘New Roots in America’s Sacred Ground: Religion, Race, and Ethnicity in Indian America,’ and co-editor of ‘Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice.’ In ‘White Christian Privilege,’ Jos...

Evangelical culture has in recent decades taken up the cause of maintaining the virginity of teenagers come hell or high water. How many of you can guess that the results have been, well, mixed. Like everything else, it's complicated. Oy, is it complicated. These episodes originally aired in 2019. It is important to note that our guest was accused of sexual misbehavior with a member of a church yo...

For more than a half century the Indian state of Kashmir held a special status that allowed it to be semi-autonomous. This allowed, among other things, for it to be governed by sharia law. In 2019 the government ceased that, allowing Jammu & Kashmir to become wholly administered by Delhi. Most news reports were about serious allegations of human rights abuses that took place in order to bring this...

We speak with Julie and Tony Gessner about the marriage help program Retrouvaille. Retrouvaille’s primary goal is to provide help for couples who live in the disappointment and pain of marriage problems. The Retrouvaille weekend provides a safe setting encouraging couples to learn communication in marriage in a respectful manner. Theme music "Nigal."

From 2019 Our guest is Dr. Shadi Hamid, who joins us to talk about his essay, “The Difficulty with Diversity: Can American pluralism make room for an Islam that is truly different?” Dr. Shadi Hamid is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a contributing editor at The Atlantic. He is the author of ‘Islamic Exceptionalism: How the Struggle Over Islam is Reshaping the World,’and co-editor...

The Kaufman Interfaith Institute hosted a conversation between Nicholas Wolterstorff and Kelly James Clark on June 3, 2019. These 2 episodes contain the entirety of that event. Nicholas Wolterstorff is an American philosopher and a liturgical theologian. A prolific writer with wide-ranging philosophical and theological interests, he has written books on aesthetics, epistemology, political philosop...

It never occurred to me that Archeology could be a lot like radio. That is, a lot of people think that all they need is a microphone in front of them & they'd be brilliant. More often than not....not. Over the decades it seems that a lot of people have thought that to be an archeologist all they needed was a shovel. In these episodes from '19 we talk with Prof. Mark Schwartz about people who thoug...

If you are a person who is conflicted on the issue of abortion because of your Christian beliefs (even if you're not, this is quite thought provoking within any tradition) you need to hear these episodes from 2019. Jonathan Dudley is the author of "Broken Words: The Abuse of Science and Faith in American Politics." He is a graduate of Calvin College, Yale Divinity School, and holds an M.D. from th...

John Morehead joins us for a couple of episodes to talk on the book he co-edited called, ‘The Paranormal and Popular Culture: A Postmodern Religious Landscape.’ John Morehead is a researcher, writer, and speaker in intercultural studies, new religious movements, the biocultural study of religion, intergroup emotions and social psychology in religious intergroup conflict, and multi-faith engagement...

OK, so we all know we need to have a little patience with those in our midst who are newly in love. They may get dewy eyed, drone on a bit long about their newfound happiness, and refer to this Gift from Heaven as their soulmate. So we must ask, is there such a thing? If so, why do so many "soulmates" part in anger years (or months...or weeks) later? Well, here are 2 episodes that explore the noti...

Reparative Therapy, which has been dismissed as fraudulent by many in the field of Psychology, attempts to "cure" gay men & women from their homosexuality. I've wanted for years to interview someone who went through the mill with it. Well, I found just the guy. Mike Hintz has a very powerful story to tell. I hope you listen. Originally aired in 2019. Theme music "Nigal."

We've broached this subject before. But I really think these episodes are so spot on; especially as the right-wing of the spectrum is using this subject to weaponize religion. Lawrence G. Sager joins us to talk about the book he co-authored with Christopher L. Eisgruber in 2007 titled, ‘Religious Freedom and the Constitution.’ This aired in 2019. Lawrence Sager is one of the nation's preeminent co...

Grand Valley State University Professor Deana Weibel joins us as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing in 2019 with our discussion of spirituality and space travel. Deana Weibel, PhD is a cultural anthropologist whose work focuses primarily on religion, especially the topics of pilgrimage, sacred space, the mutual influence of scientific and religious ideas on each other,...

The challenge with taking a critical look at the Bible is that people tend to treat it as just one book, as opposed to thinking of it as a library, which is certainly closer to the mark. Yes, there are those who give  the accounts of both Adam and David the same credibility. But those people are usually not archeologists, and credentialed historians.  Then, of course, you have your knee-jerk skept...

I find it fascinating how so many of the old, diminished traditions around the world are being revisited by people in the 21st century. We see this with those exploring the ancient mythologies of Egypt, Rome, Greece, Scandinavia, Central America, and of course, Celtic culture. These are delightful episodes that feature conversations with Anne Cates Sullivan, who authored 2 award winning books on t...

Of all the theories of afterlife that permeate the various world religions, the concept of rebirth is the only one that has actually been studied by science. Many are amazed by the fact that the University of Virginia has an entire department dedicated to such research. And this effort isn't found in the halls of Philosophy, Religious Studies or some course on alternative spiritual practices. This...

Of all the diverse expressions of Christianity here in the USA, Eastern Orthodoxy gets much less attention than it gets. After centuries of being identified with specific cultures and languages, Christians from multitudinous backgrounds are signing up, seeing what they claim to be an authenticity that they don't see in the denominations of their birth. It has been years since we've given air time...

Kelly Clark is a good friend & colleague. He's done brilliant work in the field of interfaith. These conversations took place in 2019 about a book that he both contributed to & edited. It deals with the conflicts & challenges that face adherents of the 3 main Abrahamic religions, & how deep relationships can be formed and nurtured in the midst of the issues confronting them. Seriously. Listen. The...

Guilty. Yes, I'm totally, 100% guilty as charged. If you look at the collection of Common Threads programs we have here in the vault, you'll notice more than a few focus on cults. I am just so fascinated with the sociological phenomenon of people giving up everything valuable in their lives to follow a charismatic leader off the edge of the earth. Well, this story is kind of that. Keele Burgin pro...

So how would you answer the question? It should be noted that we are, in this instance, talking about the Hebrew Bible, not including the New Testament. Our guest Mordecai Finley offers great evidence that points to Job. Job? Well, you'll have to listen. Originally aired in 2018 Theme music "Nigal."

My Guest is Christopher is the author of ‘The Sacred Enneagram: Finding your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth" for these 2 episodes. Christopher Heuertz studied at Asbury University in Kentucky before moving to India where he was mentored by Mother Teresa for three years. While living in India, he helped launch South Asia’s first pediatric AIDS care home–creating a safe haven for children impacted...

Stuart H. Brody joins us in these 2019 episodes to talk about his book ‘The Law of Small Things.’ Stuart Brody is the Founder of Integrity Intensive. Integrity Intensive offers keynotes, speeches, workshops, books, and consulting to teach the modern practice of integrity. Stuart Brody has served prominently in law, politics and academia. He has appeared before the Supreme Court, written numerous a...

The problem with theocracies is that it's much easier to be branded a heretic or a blasphemer, which can be illegal. The Ahmadhiyya sect of Islam is branded just that in Pakistan; which is, for all intents and purposes, a Muslim theocracy. It's one of 2 countries that have large numbers of members. The other one is neighboring India. One might assume that it's easier for a Muslim to be a Muslim in...