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Inspired
Inspired is the nation's leading public radio show about faith, ethics and spirituality. Each week we offer you analyses of the big headlines alongside lesser-told stories – those of Orthodox Jewish artists and African-American atheists, Muslim feminists and spiritual seekers. Through these stories, a rough sketch of our country’s religious landscape begins to emerge. It’s a marketplace of beliefs and ideas too complex for sound bites, and too important to ignore.
Looking for answers after the bloodiest attack on Christians in the history of modern Pakistan.
Akbar Ahmed: ‘This Is an Act of Revenge’
On September 22, two suicide bombers rushed the doors of All Saints Church in the Pakistani city of Peshawar, just as worshippers were heading home. At least 85 people died.The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the bombing, but not on religious grounds. Instead, they say, the bombs were payback for American drone strikes on the tribal areas of Pakistan.
How Religion Sways Votes in Congress
Like the rest of the country, members of Congress are becoming more and more religiously diverse. Since 1960, members of the House and Senate have become less Protestant, more Catholic, and more “unaffiliated,” among other things. And according to a new book, these shifting religious values have translated into real policy changes – and often, gridlock.
William D’Antonio, co-author of Religion, Politics and Polarization: How Religiopolitical Conflict is Changing Congress and American Democracy
Robert P. Jones, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute
Muslim Headscarves: Not Cool Enough for Abercrombie?
About three years ago, Hani Khan was fired from Hollister, the beachy, vintage clothing chain owned by Abercrombie & Fitch. Apparently her Muslim headscarf didn’t fit with the store’s official dress code. So she filed a lawsuit – and on September 23, she won.
Hani Khan, winner of religious discrimination suit against Abercrombie & Fitch
Zahra Billoo, Executive Director of The Council on American-Islamic Relations for the San Francisco Bay area
Singing for Peace in Uganda
Since 2005, Rabbi Jeffrey Summit has been recording the music of a unique group of coffee farmers in Uganda. Using xylophones, drums, and traditional African instruments, they sing with a purpose: to model the power of peaceful relationships for a country in conflict. Their music has just been released on a new CD by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Our interview first aired in April.
Rabbi Jeffrey Summit, producer of Delicious Peace: Coffee, Music and Interfaith Harmony in Uganda
