Show notes:
In the first segment, our panelists discuss Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision to host a monthly Christian prayer service at the Pentagon—an unprecedented move blending faith and federal power. Featuring his hometown pastor, who thanked God for leaders “sovereignly appointed” like Donald Trump, the event raised concerns about religious favoritism in a government setting. Our discussion examines the boundaries of faith expression in public institutions and what it means for church-state separation within America’s military leadership.
In the second segment of the show, we explore the court case Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond, where a 4-4 Supreme Court split left standing a ruling that states cannot fund religious charter schools. The case centered on St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School’s bid to become the nation’s first religious public school. Panelists analyze how this “nondecision” preserves—at least temporarily—the constitutional wall separating church and state in public education.
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About the Show:
Faith & Politics is a show dedicated to discussing issues surrounding the intersection of Church, State and politics and the examination of whether you are allowing your faith to shape your politics or your politics starting to shape your faith. What do you do when God and government come face to face?
Panelists:
Judith Hawkins, Former Judge and Attorney in Tallahassee Florida; Nia Johnson, Assistant Professor at Wake Forest Law School; Melissa Reid, Director of Government Affairs for the North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church; Jennifer Woods, General Counsel and Director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty for the Lake Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
About Us:
North American Division Public Affairs & Religious Liberty (PARL) is a ministry dedicated to proclaiming and defending the God-given gift of religious freedom which is integral to our identity as Seventh-day Adventist Christians. Learn more about PARL at www.religiousliberty.info
Panelists
Judith Hawkins
Dr. Nia Johnson
Melissa Reid
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