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The final year of the Trump administration and the beginning of the Biden administration has seen a flurry of issues bearing on religious liberty. There were two cases before the Supreme Court, one, Tanzin vs Tanvir, upon which the court ruled and another, Fulton vs The City of Philadelphia, the ruling of which is still pending. There was a new justice, Amy Barrett, appointed to the Supreme Court after the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The riot on the capital on Jan. 6th exposed a rooting in and connection with Christian Nationalism. On the first day of the Biden administration, President Biden issued an executive order ending the travel ban of Muslims and Africans, and since taking office, President Biden has reestablished the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships and reappointed Melissa Rogers as its Director.

My guest, Jennifer Hawks helps us understand each of these issues and also helps us understand more clearly the ongoing work and efforts of the BJC.

Jennifer Hawks, a native of Germantown, Tennessee, is the associate general counsel at BJC. She provides legal analysis on church-state issues that arise before Congress, the courts and administrative agencies. Hawks also assists in education efforts and responds to pastors and other constituents who have questions about church-state matters.

Before coming to BJC, Hawks was the director of advocacy and outreach services for the Family Abuse Center in Waco, Texas, where she conducted a legal clinic and led educational programs. She previously worked for two judges in the state of Mississippi and served as a staff attorney for the Mississippi Department of Human Services. Hawks also served in both paid and volunteer ministry positions in Tennessee, Mississippi and Texas. She has published papers in the journal of the Texas Baptist Historical Society and Baptist History & Heritage Journal.

A graduate of Mississippi College and the University of Mississippi School of Law, Hawks earned a Master of Divinity degree from George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University. She is a member of the U.S. Supreme Court, Texas and Mississippi bars, and she was ordained into the Gospel ministry by McLean Baptist Church in McLean, Virginia.

How learn more about the BJC and how you and your church can be involved go to bjconline.org.

To read and, hopefully, sign the statement on Christians against Christian Nationalism go to chrisitansagainstchristiannationalism.org.

The music for this episode is from a clip of a song called ‘Father Let Your Kingdom Come’ which is found on The Porter’s Gate Worship Project Work Songs album and is used by permission by The Porter’s Gate Worship Project. You can learn more about the album and the Worship Project at theportersgate.com.

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Within the context of our nation at this time, our perceptions of Islam are driving our greatest fears. Islam is the subject of deep misinformation, misunderstanding, and political distortion. As the result, few of us have an accurate understanding of Islam or are aware that there are broad-based efforts and many Muslim activists in peacebuilding throughout the Muslim communities around the world. Consequently, it is vital, in my mind, that we hear often from the voices of Muslim peace workers. There is no better place to start than with my guest for this episode.

Chaplain Rabia Terri Harris, Founder of the Muslim Peace Fellowship, launched MPF as an associate organization of the Fellowship of Reconciliation in 1994, and has nurtured it ever since.

The child of a Jewish father and a Christian mother, Rabia embraced Islam in 1978, receiving her religious education through the Halveti-Jerrahi Order. She holds a BA in Religion from Princeton University, an MA in Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures from Columbia University, and a Graduate Certificate in Islamic Chaplaincy from Hartford Seminary. In 2009, her three decades of experience in spirituality and community service led to her being chosen as the first president of the Association of Muslim Chaplains.

As a theorist and investigator in Islamic peacebuilding and multireligious solidarity for justice, Rabia writes extensively and has lectured and offered workshops nationally and internationally.

Currently Rabia serves as Chaplain and Scholar with Community of Living Traditions, a multireligious organization devoted to the pursuit of peace and justice through earthcare and hospitality. You can learn more about Community of Living Traditions on their Facebook page here.

Rabia coauthored Peace Primer II: Quotes from Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Scripture and Tradition with Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb and Rev. Ken Sehested. There are references from this book made in the interview.

The music for this episode is from a clip of a song called ‘Father Let Your Kingdom Come’ which is found on The Porter’s Gate Worship Project Work Songs album and is used by permission by The Porter’s Gate Worship Project. You can learn more about the album and the Worship Project at theportersgate.com.