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Two friends, Matt Hawkins (a former policy director for the Southern Baptist Convention) and John Pinna (former Executive Director of American Islamic Congress) talk religion and politics. The podcast delivers weekly episodes featuring commentary on news, politics, multifaith experiences, and expert guests. The conversations build on a decade of their collaboration, advocating in Washington, D.C. for religious freedom domestically and around the globe. The two developed the podcast with a de ...
Support this podcast via Patreon. Matt and John observe how religion gets politicized and what antidote exists to protect religion from partisan politics. Support Crossing Faiths Links: Why We Need the Church to Disciple Our Politics Politicized Religion Is Worse Than Politics Without Religion Iraqi Cardinal Calls for Religion, State Separation One…
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2021: Post-election commentary: John Pinna and Manal Omar
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Support this podcast via Patreon. John Pinna and Manal Omar discuss their initial reflecitons on the results of the 2020 election. Special Guest: Manal Omar. Support Crossing FaithsBy Matt Hawkins and John Pinna
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Special guest: Manal Omar on events in France
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Support this podcast via Patreon. John Pinna and Manal Omar discuss the headlines coming out of France. Special Guest: Manal Omar. Support Crossing FaithsBy Matt Hawkins and John Pinna
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Special guest: George Sorial, former EVP to The Trump Organization
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Support this podcast via Patreon. Matt and John welcome George A. Sorial, formerly Executive Vice President & Counsel to The Trump Organization, to discuss his background as a Coptic Christian, his career with The Trump Organization, and divisions in America. Special Guest: George A. Sorial. Support Crossing Faiths Links: George Sorial | Biography …
Support this podcast via Patreon. Matt and John turn the interview tables on Crossing Faiths teammate, Hashaw Elkins, who shares about her life in her Mexican Jewish family and faith. Special Guest: Hashaw Elkins. Support Crossing FaithsBy Matt Hawkins and John Pinna
Support this podcast via Patreon. Matt and John discuss the ramifications of abortion politics in the 2020 election and beyond. (Recorded prior to the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.) Support Crossing Faiths Links: "Southern Baptists are in the national news this morning at the Washington Post, so I would like to create a thread with some relevant in…
Support this podcast via Patreon. Matt and John welcome speaker, author and TV host, Ireland native, Suzanne Selvester. Growing up Irish Catholic in Ireland Seeking healing, surrender, and contentment on a spiritual journey Support Crossing Faiths Links: SuzanneSelvester.com Suzanne Selvester (@suzanneselveste) / Twitter…
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Special Guest: Manal Omar on women in Islam, leadership, and human rights
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53:16
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Support this podcast via Patreon. Matt and John welcome Manal Omar, founder and CEO of Across Red Lines, an organization that dedicated to creating safe spaces for Muslim women to understand their leadership power and life force energy through the wisdom provided to us from the Quran and Sunnah, as well as the many Muslim women pioneers that have s…
Support this podcast via Patreon. Matt and John give their quick reflections on the Sept 29 debate between President Trump and former VP Joe Biden. Support Crossing FaithsBy Matt Hawkins and John Pinna
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Special Guest: Nathan Wineinger on policy advocacy inspired by love of neighbor & human dignity
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Support this podcast via Patreon. Matt and John welcome long time friend and fellow policy advocate Nathan Wineinger of 21 Wilberforce. The three discuss Nathan's backstory that inspired his career in advocacy and best practices for religions organizations entering the advocacy space. Special Guest: Nathan Wineinger. Support Crossing Faiths…
Support this podcast via Patreon. John and Matt welcome Senge Sering to discuss India, Kashmir, China, Pakistan. Special Guest: Senge Sering. Support Crossing Faiths Links: In Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, Rape of Women by Both Terrorists and Soldiers and ‘Jihad’ Encourages Sexual Slavery | OPINION K2 - Wikipedia Crossing Faiths: John Prabhudoss | Ind…
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Special Guest: Fr. Dn. Andrew Bennett, Canada's first ever Ambassador for Religious Freedom
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Support this podcast via Patreon. Matt and John catch up with their friend Father Deacon Andrew Bennett, Canada's former--and first ever-- Ambassador for Religious Freedom. Bennett now serves in multiple capacities including with Cardus (Canada's only faith-based think tank) and the Religious Freedom Institute in Washington, D.C. Special Guest: Fr.…
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Are evangelical pastors preaching "political" sermons?
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Support this podcast via Patreon. Matt and John debate to what extent evangelical pastors are using the pulpit to advance partisan political goals, what it looks like to non-evangelicals, and what nuance there might be amidst the noise. Support Crossing Faiths Links: We easily recognize problems of “partisan” churches. But churches who are “silent”…
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Special Guest: Dr. JoAnne Myers, author of The Good Citizen: The Markers of Privilege in America
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Support this podcast via Patreon. Matt and John welcome John's long time friend Dr. JoAnne Myers, Associate Professor of Political Science at Marist College and author of The Good Citizen: The Markers of Privilege in America. Special Guest: Dr. JoAnne Myers. Support Crossing Faiths Links: The Good Citizen: The Markers of Privilege in America - 1st …
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Part 2: Two white guys talk about American racism
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Support this podcast via Patreon. Matt and John continue their discussion about American racism, policing, and seeking better terminology when we talk about solutions. Support Crossing FaithsBy Matt Hawkins and John Pinna
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Part 1: Two white guys talk about American racism
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Support this podcast via Patreon. Matt and John discuss racism and policing in the context of the civil unrest triggered by the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Aubrey, and other black Americans. Support Crossing Faiths Links: Right Hand, Left Hand - The Dispatch Podcast Frederick Douglass - Wikipedia William H. Carney: The first black soldier to ea…
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Headlines Part 2: Ezekiel's wheel, Science and religion, 90 Day Fiance
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Support this podcast via Patreon. Matt and John continue their conversation about some recent religion-related headlines. Support Crossing Faiths Links: An Oxford Professor, a Hobby Lobby Collector, and a Missing Gospel of Mark - The Atlantic When religion sided with science: Medieval lessons for surviving COVID-19 '90 Day Fiance': Avery Mills Clap…
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Headlines Part 1: Evangelicals debate Trump, Religious responses to Coronavirus
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Support this podcast via Patreon. Apologies for the technical diffiiculties heard during this episode. Matt thinks the interference you hear on his voice is because his phone was too close to his microphone cable. Rookie mistake! Matt and John discuss the in-fighting among American evangelicals over Trump and a survery about how religious people ar…
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Is irresponsible polling dividing us?
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Support this podcast via Patreon. Matt and John discuss troubling religion surveys and conclude bad religion polling does more harm than good. Support Crossing Faiths Links: Half of Americans say Bible should influence U.S. laws, including 28% who favor it over the will of the people | Pew Research Center In U.S., Decline of Christianity Continues …
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Religious Relational Capital: De Blasio and the Hasidic Jewish Community
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Support this podcast via Patreon. Support Crossing Faiths Links: The Future of International Religious Freedom (IRF) - Making Data-Driven Decisions on Religious Communities Worldwide | LinkedIn The Front Line of Faith Opinion | Bill de Blasio Finds His Scapegoat - The New York Times de blasio jewish community - Google Search Coronavirus in Iowa: St…
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Explainer: The what, why & how of Ramadan
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Support this podcast via Patreon. On behalf of non-Muslims, Matt peppers John with questions about Ramadan, including: Why Ramadan is the best time to hang out with Muslims even if they're "hunger and angry" by moonrise. Is it appropriate to say, "Happy Ramadan?" Why does Ramadan seem to move around the calendar? What is iftar? What's the big deal …
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Part 2 of 2: Are we living in a "post-Protestant" America?
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Support this podcast via Patreon. John and Matt debate the notion that America is in a post-Protesant era. The idea is the water Matt (evangelical) swims in, while John (Muslim) had never heard of such a thing. Support Crossing Faiths Links: Know Your Evangelicals: Francis Schaeffer The Most Post-Christian Cities in America: 2019 - Barna Group Post…
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Part 1 of 2: Religious exceptionalism, exclusivism, or "exempt-ualism"?
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Support this podcast via Patreon. John and Matt kinda breach their promise to not talk #Quarantine, and discuss (for lack of a better word) a religious "exceptionalism" that prompts some faithful to believe they are immune from Coronavirus. The two parse a difference between that kind of exceptionalism (or, perhaps, exempt-ualism) and religious exc…
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Antiquities scandals: The Museum of the Bible
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Support this podcast via Patreon. Matt and John discuss the risks and tradeoffs of antiquities collecting, including the recent scandal involving the Museum of the Bible. Support Crossing Faiths Links: Hobby Lobby, which smuggled antiquities for Bible Museum, will return the artifacts to Iraq - Vox Hobby Lobby President to Return 11,500 Antiquities…
Support this podcast via Patreon. Matt and John catch up after a March spring break. John returns to the states after time abroad. As the Coronavirus Pandemic spikes around the globe, he has to navigate international travel to make it back to New York. The two cohosts compare how Christians and Muslims are, respectively, adapting to social distanci…
By Matt Hawkins and John Pinna
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Special guest: Mustafa Akhwand, Shia Rights Watch
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By Matt Hawkins and John Pinna
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Faith and politics: Prayer Breakfast, Trump, Romney, Falwell, Muslims, Democrat Primaries
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By Matt Hawkins and John Pinna
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Does the Quran allow a Muslim to be a friend with a Christian?
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By Matt Hawkins and John Pinna
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Prayer in schools: Japan vs. U.S.A. | Special Guest: Shino Yokotsuka
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By Matt Hawkins and John Pinna
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"Unequally yoked" marriage?; Pocket Burgers
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By Matt Hawkins and John Pinna
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The Crossing Faiths backstory: An interview with Vantage Points
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By Matt Hawkins and John Pinna
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Season 2 Preview: Does halal BBQ exist in Nashville?
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By Matt Hawkins and John Pinna
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Special guest: John Prabhudoss | India in Crisis
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Matt & John welcome John Prabhudoss (pro. 'prah-boo-dahs'), President of the Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations, to discuss the latest protests in India over new citizenship laws passed by Parliament. Official USG channels have remained stunningly silent. Follow #CAAProtests on Twitter. Special Guest: John Prabhudoss. Support Cro…
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Special Guest: Robert Nicholson | Islam is different, and that's ok
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Robert Nicholson, president of The Philos Project, joins the show to talk about his article, "Islam is Different—and That’s Okay." Excerpts: Islam is not Christianity; the Middle East is not the West. We share some things, yes, but there is no obvious reason why we should want to be the same. There is, in fact, a strong argument that pretended simi…
John asks Matt about reliable Jesus/Isa info. John opens up about a lousy experience in a Catholic college. Support Crossing Faiths Links: The Case for Christ, author Lee Strobel — A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus. The Case for Christ (movie) - Netflix Is C.S. Lewis's Liar-Lord-or-Lunatic Argument Unsound? The Gospel …
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Special guest: Kristina Arriaga explains her resignation from USCIRF
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Matt and John welcome Kristina Arriaga, a former USCIRF Commissioner. Arriaga recently resigned from the Commission in protest over an attempt by the U.S. Senate Foreign Affairs Committee to dramatically alter the structure and work of the Commission. Who is Kristina Arriaga? What is USCIRF? (pro. "you-surf") What’s been Kristina's overall experien…
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0108: On Location: London. John is shocked by Kurdistan's Multifaith Capacity
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John reports from London on the multifaith collaboration he witnessed on the ground in Kurdistan following the withdraw of U.S. troops. Anglophiles and fans of Downton Abbey will have to pardon our short rant against the United Kingdom's divine right and the House of Lords. But it's a little ridiculous. Support Crossing Faiths Links: The Burning of…
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On location: Erbil, Kurdistan; A multi-faith community responds in crisis
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After the United States withdraws troops from Kurdistan, precipitating a brutal invasion of the region by Turkey, John Pinna travels with Father John Anderson (Greek Orthodox) to the region. While in Erbil, "Halal John" and Father John share their on the ground perspective with Matt. Themes: A previously flourishing multi-faith community Successful…
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Bonus: What to expect from Afghanistan election
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John Pinna relays his expectations and hopes for Afghanistan following the September 28th election. Support Crossing FaithsBy Matt Hawkins and John Pinna
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Headline edition: Impeachment, Security in houses of worship
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Matt and John talk impeachment and one evangelical pastor predicting civil war. John admits his D&D roots and they discuss their results on the Political Compass. Support Crossing Faiths Links: The Political Compass GOP lawmaker blasts Trump for quoting pastor warning of civil war over impeachment | TheHill Bipartisan presidential unity ticket woul…
Sunni, Wahhabi, Shia, Sufi, Ismaili, Ahmadiyya, Twelvers. Will the true Muslim please stand up? What makes a Muslim? What are the implications of non-Muslims declaring what is "true" Islam? Also, a review of President Trump's religious freedom declaration at the United Nations. Support Crossing Faiths Links: UN: Trump, Pence seek to elevate religio…
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Headline edition: Self-flagellation, Hindu-Muslim joint prayer, and more
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Self-flaggelation during Ashura Did Jesus' cloak hold magical healing powers? Do Hindus and Muslims worship the same god?" Will the Senate-passed Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act (S.178) have any teeth? Support Crossing Faiths Links: Photos of the Week - Religion News Service — Afghan Shiites flagellate themselves with chains and blades to mark Ashur…
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John tells of his American Muslim life after 9-11
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John Pinna shares post-9/11 experiences from his family and career. Support Crossing Faiths Links: The Montgomery Story - MLKJ (PDF) Media coverage of AIC's Arabic Translation of MLK Comic Book "The Montgomery Story" What is Ashura? How this Shiite Muslim holiday inspires millions - Religion News Service…
Matt and John review the Netflix series "The Family:" What does it matter as a citizen? What does it matter as a Christian? Is The Fellowship a cult? What about the Washington ecosystem did the documentary leave out? Support Crossing Faiths Links: The Family - A Netflix Series The Real Con in Netflix’s ‘The Family’ - The Atlantic God, Netflix and t…
Following a quote tweet from the president, Matt and John talk messianic impulses and the American presidency. Support Crossing Faiths Links: Trump and the politics of the Messiah - Religion News Service Trump and the politics of the Messiah | National Catholic Reporter 2007: Messianic rhetoric infuses Obama rallies - POLITICO 2008: An Antichrist O…
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4: Halal pork and military parades (Pilot)
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Matt and John talk military parades, BBQ, jihadis (is it a word?), some theology, and ask if there is such a thing as "halal pork." Support Crossing FaithsBy Matt Hawkins and John Pinna
Matt and John wonder about supposed "Jesus' nails" found in Caiaphas' ossuary in Israel. John is fascinated by Moses' staff, currently in Turkey. Support Crossing Faiths Links: Archaeologist thinks he might have found nails from Jesus’s cross - The Washington Post ‘Nails of the Cross,’ reopens centuries-old debate - Video Articles - Jerusalem Post …
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1: An evangelical walks into a wudu space (Pilot)
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Matt confesses an awkward moment walking into a wudu space. John gets nervous in an evangelical prayer circle. Support Crossing FaithsBy Matt Hawkins and John Pinna
