Tagged: religion

How do organized religion and politics intersect in the United States? Ray Suarez, a senior correspondent for PBS's NewsHour, explores this topic in his new book, "The Holy Vote: The Politics of Faith in America." Ray Suarez spoke at Town Hall on January 11, 2013. The talk was presented by Seattle University as part of its Faith and Values in the Public Square lecture series.

More than 1.5 billion people around the world practice Islam, the world’s second largest religion. But relatively few people know and understand Islam’s most important figure, the prophet Muhammad. Journalist and author Lesley Hazleton describes Muhammad’s life as a “journey from neglected orphan to acclaimed leader — from marginalized outsider to the ultimate insider.” She joins us for a conversation about her new book, "The First Muslim," the story of a man whose ideas and beliefs continue to change the world.

Religion is changing. In recent years we’ve seen the rise of evangelical and nondenominational churches, and the Internet has turned charismatic religious leaders into celebrities as famous and revered as rock stars. Among them is Pastor Rob Bell, who has captured the attention of millions with his hip look, presentation and inclusive teachings. Some Evangelical Christians consider him “dangerous,” but Time Magazine voted him one of "2011’s Most Influential People." Who is Rob Bell and what does his ministry say about the future of the evangelical and Christian church? We talk with the University of Washington's James Wellman about "Rob Bell and a New American Christianity."

The first same-sex weddings took place in early December in Washington state. Marriage equality has come a long way in Gene Robinson’s lifetime. He was the first only gay person to become a bishop in the historic traditions of Christendom — and he wore a bulletproof vest to his 2003 consecration.

Today, he’s one of the world’s leading spokespeople for gay rights and gay marriage, and he has been married to a man for the last four years. Robinson spoke at Seattle’s Town Hall on December 7, 2012.