The A to Z English Podcast

Shadi Hamid and Matthew Kaemingk discuss faith, politics, and friendship at Wheaton College. They explore building friendships across faith differences, navigating catastrophizing in faith traditions, Christian and Islamic traditions in public discourse, and advice for students pursuing politics while maintaining faith.

“Hell is actually pretty underrated. I mean it, when it comes to democratic life, a belief in hell is quite helpful.” Shadi kicked off a recent public lecture with this rather unexpected and provocative statement. In a time when democratic debate is becoming increasingly judgmental, where citizens wish to condemn and literally sentence one another to damnation, Shadi wonders (out loud) if a belief in a delayed judgment, one that belongs to God alone, could potentially lessen our need to exact total judgment in the here and now.

Shadi Hamid and Matthew Kaemingk discuss tribal loyalties and influences on Gaza positions. Hamid's Muslim identity and Kaemingk presses on tribal perspective. Exploring evangelical views on Israel, end times, and group identity shaping political beliefs. Delve into complexities of differing views on Israel and managing disagreements in relationships. Emphasize on empathy, self-criticism, and dialogue in divisive times.

Shadi Hamid and Matthew Kaemingk discuss the moral and ethical challenges in the Israel-Hamas war, exploring religious perspectives, collective morality, Christian ethics, and the complex dynamics of money, power, and privilege. They express concern for the ongoing conflict in Gaza and its potential spread.

Political demons? Really? While everyone can agree that there’s something terribly wrong with America’s political culture, should we really describe it as “demonic” or even “demon-possessed”? Muslims and Christians have long recognized the presence and power of evil, but what does a belief in the “demonic” actually look like in modern political life? Join Shadi and Matt as they speak to Laura Fabrycky, a political theologian who is researching the ways in which citizens might begin to resist the temptations of both demonic politics and the politics of demonization. LINKS: Laura Fabrycky’s articles for Comment magazine: https://comment.org/contributors/laura-fabrycky/  

Hadia Mubarak, a Muslim feminist and author, discusses interpreting Islamic texts, facing sexism in mosques, and the challenges of wearing a headscarf in a secular society. She shares her story of growing up in Panama City, Florida, and differentiates Islamic feminism from secular feminism.

Can the American Left make space for deep religious commitment? Elizabeth Bruenig, a 2023 Pulitzer Prize finalist, is one of the most prominent—and controversial—Catholic socialists in America today. In this episode, she joins Matt and Shadi to discuss how people of faith can contribute to secular politics while maintaining their rather “strange” religious identity. Matt asks both her and Shadi to reflect on what it was like to be committed Bernie Sanders supporters while also remaining committed to their Catholic and Islamic faiths. Together they each discuss a future where the Democratic Party could (re)learn how to embrace people of faith, including those who bring their religion to bear on abortion, sexuality, and the death penalty. Links: Elizabeth Bruenig’s reflection on Lent in The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/03/catholic-lent-sacrifice-reflection/673353/ Bruenig’s Pulitzer Prize-nominated features on capital punishment in Alabama: https://www.pulitzer.org/finalists/elizabeth-bruenig-atlantic Tim Alberta on why Hispanics are leaving the Democratic Party: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2022/11/hispanic-voters-fleeing-democratic-party/671851/

Americans are politically exhausted. Shadi happens to be one of them. But he’s taking action. In this special episode, our venerable co-host opens up about burnout, finitude, and his own struggles with meaning. In society more broadly, politically induced fatigue and even depression are spreading. Is there a way to find that meaning without religion—or is religion the only way? Links: The episode where Matt discusses thoughts and prayers: https://comment.org/podcasts/prayer-is-political/ Shadi on tying one's camel: https://wisdomofcrowds.live/p/is-it-enough-to-tie-your-camel-and Shadi’s essay in The Atlantic on breaking up with the news: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/03/information-news-addiction-liberal-depression/673351/ 2022 study on political depression: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8759681/

Welcome to a frank and thought-provoking discussion of the modern sexual marketplace and its discontents. Our guest and guide is Washington Post columnist Christine Emba. Author of the widely acclaimed book Rethinking Sex: A Provocation, Emba argues that while the sexual revolution and the MeToo movement brought much good to the world, there is a growing suspicion that there is something profoundly unsatisfying about the modern sexual ethic. Do we need more religion to get sex right, after everything?   LINKS Christine Emba’s book Rethinking Sex: A Provocation https://bookshop.org/a/65404/9780593087565 Christine Emba’s article “Consent is not Enough” https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/03/17/sex-ethics-rethinking-consent-culture/

The coronation of King Charles will take place in a Christian church. Within the context of worship, Charles will be anointed, blessed, crowned, and enthroned as the head of England’s church and its state. As crown and cross intermingle and intersect so also do questions about the proper relationship between religion, politics, and power. Shadi Hamid and Matthew Kaemingk welcome Bishop Graham Tomlin to discuss the coronation of King Charles and its religious and political meaning. LINKS Graham Tomlin’s article on "What a monarch’s meeting teaches about politics and permanence” https://www.seenandunseen.com/what-monarchs-meeting-teaches-about-politics-and-permanence https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/society/60516/why-charless-coronation-could-be-a-spiritual-flop https://www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2022/09/silence-reigns http://Seenandunseen.com Twitter: @gtomlin