Jeff Sharlet on 'The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power'
- play show:
Date: 4 September 2008
Blood Runs Thick in 'The Family'
A little-known Christian network that takes leadership cues from Hitler and Mao may seem like the stuff of conspiracy theories, but our guest Jeff Sharlet (pictured) insists that The Family's political clout is real. Best known for sponsoring the annual high-profile National Prayer Breakfast, this secretive group has impacted public policy since it sponsored anti-New Deal legislation in the 1930s – and gives all the credit to God.
Jeff Sharlet, author of "The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power"
Marching in the Light of God(s)
Begins at 22:50
Every fall since 9/11, hundreds of Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Jews and others have gathered in Washington, DC and New York to remember the tragic events of that Tuesday in September. It's called the 9/11 Unity Walk, and its peaceful march from one house of worship to another is a powerful witness to respect among religions.
This year's walk will take place on Sunday, September 14th. Details here.
Rev. Mpho Tutu, organizer of the 9/11 Unity Walk, daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Obama's Faith-Based Initiative
Begins at 34:36
The faith-based initiative program strives to address society's most unshakable problems, like homelessness and addiction, by contracting with religious groups to provide social services. Senator Barack Obama has vowed to expand the program, though with more safeguards to protect the church-state divide. Now the Obama version has won support from a most unlikey source: John Dilulio, the onetime head of the office.
John Dilulio, first director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives under President George W. Bush
Rob Boston, Senior Policy Analyst at Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Finding Some "Om" at the DNC
Begins at 44:37
For anyone looking for a little peace and quiet at the Democratic National Convention, there was Meditate '08, an interfaith meditation space just a half hour's walk from the political frenzy. On every day of the convention, faith leaders led participants through yoga twists and relaxing "Oms" meant to cultivate inner harmony in the midst of clamor. Maureen was there, microphone in hand, and brings us
this report.
Don Morreale, coordinator of Meditate08 and teacher at the Insight Meditation Community in Denver
This Week's Interfaith Calendar
September 8 – Feast of the Birth of Mary/Nativity of the Theotokos (Christian)
On this day, Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches remember the birth of Mary, mother of Jesus.
September 11 – Ethiopian New Year (Rastafari)
This spring festival celebrates the beginning of the new year in Ethiopia and comes at the end of a long rainy season. On this day, the story goes, the famous Ethiopian Queen of Sheba returned from her visit with King Solomon in Jerusalem.
