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19 March 2024

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The Posner Show

Sarah Posner invites guests from across the ideological spectrum to discuss breaking news and three-alarm issues at the intersection of politics and religion.

Dec 8, 2014 — Sarah Posner & Khaled Diab
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On The Posner Show, Sarah talks with Khaled Diab, an Egyptian journalist living in Jerusalem and the author of the new e-book Intimate Enemies. They discuss how both sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have narratives of dispossession and exile. Khaled describes the heightened tensions and violence in Jerusalem since the summer. Khaled argues that nationalistic concerns have trumped human ones on both sides, and makes the case for a “people’s peace process.” Are there new voices waiting to emerge? Plus: The settler rabbi who would be fine with living in a Palestinian state, and other unconventional interview subjects.

Nov 18, 2014 — Sarah Posner & Joanna Brooks
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On The Posner Show, Sarah talks with Joanna about the LDS Church’s recent admission that Joseph Smith, Mormonism’s prophet and founder, practiced polygamy. Joanna explains the unusual way that the doctrine of polygamy continues to affect the lives of everyday Mormons, and how polygamy makes sense within Mormonism’s unique Christian theology. Joanna argues that the LDS Church leadership continues to view polygamy of an “eternal principle.” Plus: Seeing polygamists at the Costco.

Oct 31, 2014 — Sarah Posner & Daniel Seidemann
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On The Posner Show, Sarah and Israeli lawyer Daniel Seidemann discuss an Obama administration official’s characterization of Benjamin Netanyahu as “a chickenshit.” Danny explains how the Palestinian village of Silwan is the “epicenter of the conflict” and how the Israeli settlers’ behavior is a “stain on Israeli democracy.” Danny recounts taking two prominent Republican leaders on a tour of the city, and how they saw the cracks in the “undivided Jerusalem” slogan, which Danny calls a “myth.” Plus: the eruption of violence on the Temple Mount, and why the current police crackdown on Palestinian protesters in East Jerusalem will leave the city forever changed.

Oct 18, 2014 — Sarah Posner & Patricia Miller
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On The Posner Show, Sarah speaks with Patti about the Extraordinary General Synod taking place this week in Rome. Patti argues that conservative fears that the synod will produce radical changes are misplaced. She traces the church’s position on contraception to decisions made during the last synod in 1980. Nonetheless, she says, a midterm report from this synod contained some surprising revelations, notably signals that the church may stop referring to homosexuality as “intrinsically disordered” and to unmarried couples as “living in sin.” What did a German bishop really say about African bishops and homosexuality? What does Patricia’s book have to say about a role for pro-choice Catholics? Finally: How Francis’s synod represents very “modest proposals.”

Oct 12, 2014 — Sarah Posner & Lydia Bean
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Sarah talks to Lydia Bean, author of The Politics of Evangelical Identity, a study of how white evangelical political identity is shaped by grassroots “folk theory” about what it means to be a good Christian. Lydia explains why evangelicals might react differently to people coming from outside their religious “tent.” She talks about why evangelicals see their messaging on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage as compassionate, even when outsiders may not. They discuss the economic differences between American and Canadian evangelicals on issues like socialized medicine. Plus: Why “faith-based” campaigning by Democrats falls flat, and how a new set of rhetorical tools can change that.

Aug 28, 2014 — Sarah Posner & Brent E. Sasley
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On The Posner Show, Sarah and Brent consider the question: Is liberal Zionism dead? They debate whether the latest Gaza war is a turning point in American Jewish attitudes towards Israel. They discuss the rise of dissenting pro-Israel groups like #IfNotNow that are challenging the American Jewish establishment, and even challenging the more liberal group J Street. Brent argues these groups will force change in the American Jewish establishment, but that it will be gradual. Plus: What about American rabbis?

Jul 16, 2014 — Sarah Posner & Kara Loewentheil
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On The Posner Show, Sarah and Kara discuss a letter urging President Obama not to include a religious exemption in a forthcoming executive order barring federal contractors from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Kara explains why she signed the letter, and why she doesn’t believe there should be a new religious exemption. They discuss how the proposed order would interact with existing rules granting religious exemptions to religiously-affiliated contractors. And they reflect on how the Hobby Lobby case might affect provider refusals in the areas of abortion, contraception, and assisted reproductive technology. Plus: How did the boss’s religious rights come to take precedence over those of his workers?

Jul 8, 2014 — Sarah Posner & Caroline Mala Corbin
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In a follow-up to last week’s discussion of the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision, Sarah talks with Caroline about the Court’s unusual order on Thursday in Wheaton College v. Burwell. Does this injunction contradict the ruling in Hobby Lobby? Caroline makes the case against Wheaton College’s “facilitation argument” that filling out a form that triggers the insurance company to provide contraception coverage creates a substantial religious burden. How will the lower courts now rule on the raft of similar cases? If non-profits refuse to fill out the form, will sending the government an e-mail suffice? Plus: How the Court got Congress’s intention with the Religious Freedom Restoration Act wrong.

Jul 1, 2014 — Sarah Posner & Caroline Mala Corbin
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On The Posner Show, Sarah talks to Caroline about the Supreme Court’s decision in Hobby Lobby. Is the decision a narrow one, as the majority insists, or one of “startling breadth,” as Justice Ginsburg charges in her dissent? They discuss how the decision affects religious non-profits that have also challenged the contraception mandate. How did the decision expand the scope of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act? Will HHS now step in to provide contraception coverage for Hobby Lobby employees? Might some companies try to game the system to save money? Did the government make a mistake by not challenging Hobby Lobby’s claim that emergency contraception and IUDs are abortifacients? Plus: How Hobby Lobby will affect gay rights cases.

May 27, 2014 — Sarah Posner & Welton Gaddy
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On The Posner Show, Sarah talks with the Rev. Welton Gaddy, who recently announced his retirement as president of the Interfaith Alliance. They discuss Welton’s history of advocating for religious diversity and religious freedom, after he witnessed first-hand the Religious Right’s takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention. Welton provides a brief history of the politicizing of religion from the “pseudo-piety” of the Clinton impeachment through the Obama administration’s refusal to change Bush-era rules on faith-based initiatives. Did Obama fear crossing “the Christian establishment” in enacting the Affordable Care Act’s contraception mandate? Welton argues that the recent Supreme Court ruling in favor of legislative prayer undermines authentic religion. Plus: Why Welton is scared about the state of religious freedom in America.

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