Religion at the Ballot Box
- play show:
Date: 23 October 2008
Voting With a Conscience
This week, we sit down with two religious thinkers to talk about the issues that matter to people of faith. They grapple with the moral questions raised by everything from abortion to war to environmentalism – and remind us that no one party or candidate will claim this year's "values voters."
Dr. Melissa Harris-Lacewell, Associate Professor of Politics and African American Studies at Princeton University
Dr. Richard Land, Vice President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention
Pro-Life and Pro-Obama
Begins at 22:43
Can a good Catholic vote for a candidate who
supports abortion rights? A few bishops say no. But now, a handful of prominent anti-abortion Catholics, like Douglas Kmiec, have endorsed Barack Obama--not in spite of his abortion platform, but because of it.
Colleen Carroll Campbell, fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center
Douglas Kmiec, professor of constitutional law, Pepperdine University
The Jewish Vote
Begins at 38:46
In a few days, we’ll find out if Barack Obama’s shtick passes muster with America’s Jewish voters. Rebecca Sheir explores the hopes and concerns of the Jewish residents in Brookline (or “Baruch-line”), Massachusetts.
Produced by Rebecca Sheir
Who’s Afraid of Being Muslim?
Begins at 43:15
Muslims have long been placed outside of the American story … cast as the foreigner, the stranger, and yes, the terrorist. And that's made a lot of them crave something non-Muslims can take for granted: a normal,
mainstream seat at the political table.
Shahed Amanullah, editor-in-chief of altmuslim.com
This Week's Interfaith Calendar
October 28 - Diwali/Deepavali (Hindu)
Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is dedicated to the Goddess Kali in Bengal and to Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, in the rest of India.
October 28 - Bandi Chhor Divas (Sikh)
This "day of the prisoner's release" commemorates the return of the sixth Guru to the holy city of Amritsar. Since he was released on Diwali, the "Festival of Lights," Sikhs illuminate the city.
October 28 - Milvian Bridge Day (Christian)
According to Christian tradition, the Roman Emperor Constantine had a vision of the cross during the Battle at the Milvian Bridge. This led to the rise of Christianity as the official religion in the Roman Empire.
