Law, Leverage, and the New Culture Wars: Redefining Religious Freedom

In this episode of Religion Unmuted, host Elaine Howard Ecklund sits down with sociologist Orit Avishai to discuss her latest research on political polarization and the evolution of church-state controversies. Avishai explains how the historical legal framework established to protect religious minorities has shifted into a more aggressive, power-leveraging narrative surrounding Christian nationalism and state legislation. Through the lens of ethnography and legal analysis, the conversation explores the human stakes of these shifting doctrines and examines the growing obstacles to true religious pluralism in America.

TOPICS COVERED

(02:12) - Exploring Religious Freedom and Pluralism

(06:40) - The Role of Religion in Public Life

(10:11) - The New Culture Wars

(15:15) - Religious Freedom and Minority Perspectives

(19:53) - Ethnography and Legal Analysis in Religious Freedom

(23:57) - Challenges to Religious Pluralism in America

(29:41) - The Intersection of Law and Sociology in Research

(35:46) - Personal Reflections on Faith and Research

RESOURCES AND LINKS

• Learn more about Orit Avishai and her scholarship: https://www.fordham.edu/academics/departments/sociology-and-anthropology/faculty/orit-avishai/

• Visit the Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance: https://boniuk.rice.edu/

• Visit the Religion and Public Life Center: https://boniuk.rice.edu/RPLC

• Subscribe to Religion Unmuted: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts

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