Homebrewed Christianity

The Interlocking Crises of Religion & Democracy: Garry Dorrien, Diana Butler Bass, & Robert C. Jones

Nov 18, 2024

Garry Dorrien, a leading scholar in liberal Protestant theology, Diana Butler Bass, an insightful commentator on contemporary spirituality, and Robert C. Jones, founder of PRRI, discuss the complex ties between democracy and religion in America. They analyze systemic racism's impact on politics, personal histories within faith communities, and the urgent need for social justice initiatives. The conversation highlights the role of community organizing and the importance of educational approaches to combat book bans and foster solidarity in social change.

01:18:02

Episode guests

Gary Dorrien

Diana Butler Bass

Robert P. Jones

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The interrelationship between religion and democracy reveals historical patterns of exclusivity and the enduring impacts of white supremacy on civic rights.

Diana Butler Bass emphasizes that historical backlashes against progress are recurrent phenomena linked to social change and demand thoughtful contemporary responses.

Robbie Jones highlights that white Christian identity significantly shapes political attitudes towards race, necessitating a reevaluation of religious communities' roles in promoting inclusivity.

Deep dives

The Interconnected Crises of Democracy and Religion

The current crises in democracy and religion in America reflect deep historical roots and societal fractures. The conversation begins with a fundamental recognition that these crises are interrelated, with political and religious ideologies aligning in ways that can either enhance or jeopardize liberties and social justice. The participants highlight that the notion of democracy in the U.S. has often been exclusive, frequently leaning toward the interests of white supremacy, which undermines the liberal democratic principles meant to uphold rights for all citizens. Understanding these dynamics is crucial in confronting the contemporary challenges facing democratic institutions and faith communities.

Intro

3min

Democracy in Crisis: A Panel Discussion

16min

Exploring the Life and Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

2min

Religious Roots and Racial Reckoning

34min

Exploring the Life and Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

2min

Battling Book Bans and Community Unity

5min

Empowering Churches Through Radical Education Initiatives

2min

Faith, Racism, and Social Justice

5min

Building Community and Solidarity in Social Change

4min

In this episode, we bring you a deep and reflective conversation from Theology Beer Camp focusing on the interlocking crises of democracy and religion in America. The panel took place on the Theology Nerd stage and was moderated by previous podcast guest, Aaron Stauffer from Wendland-Cook Program in Religion & Justice at Vanderbilt University and features esteemed scholars Robert C. Jones, Diana Butler Bass, and Gary Dorrien. They explore various dimensions of liberal democracy, social democracy, and the historical and present impacts of religion and race on American politics. The discussion delves into personal histories, the influence of the black social gospel, and practical steps for communities and churches to combat current socio-political challenges, particularly emphasizing community organizing and educational initiatives.

If you want to get info, updates, and access to pre-sale tickets for Theology Beer Camp 2025 you can signup here.

For information on Wendland-Cook's Solidarity Circles, a program to build virtual peer-networks for faith leaders, organizers, clergy, and members of the community to build grassroots solidarity, head over here.

Previous Podcast Conversations

Theology for Action with Aaron Stauffer
Theological Ethics & Liberal Protestantism with Gary Dorrien
James Cone and the Emergence of Black Theology with Garry Dorrien
Truth & Kindness in the Public Square with Diana Butler Bass (a bunch more are linked there)

Aaron Stauffer is the Director of Online Learning and Associate Director of the Wendland-Cook Program at Vanderbilt University Divinity School. He earned his PhD in social ethics at Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York and has organized with the Industrial Areas Foundation in San Antonio, Texas and Religions for Peace. His work has appeared in Tikkun, Sojourners, The Other Journal, Political Theology, and CrossCurrents, as well as other scholarly and popular publications.

Diana Butler Bass, Ph.D., is an award-winning author, popular speaker, inspiring preacher, and one of America’s most trusted commentators on religion and contemporary spirituality.

Gary Dorrien is Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary and Professor of Religion at Columbia University. He is also the author of Anglican Identities: Logos Idealism, Imperial Whiteness, Commonweal Ecumenism, Social Ethics in the Making: Interpreting an American Tradition, American Democratic Socialism and In a Post-Hegelian Spirit: Philosophical Theology as Idealistic Discontent. You won’t want to miss his upcoming theological memoir Over from Union Road My Christian-Left-Intellectual Life.