Whither America? July 4th with Dr. Robert P. Jones

The State Of Belief

What does falling off a bike have to do with the state of our nation? Is America going through an identity crisis - just like a seventeen-year-old? This week on The State of Belief, these parallels are part of the conversation with host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush and Dr. Robert P. Jones on America's first 249 years, and what's to come as the country approaches 250. All while they ask themselves the question: “How Bad Is It?”

On this Independence Day episode, Paul and his guest, who is president and founder of Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), explore:

• PRRI’s recent polling on the Trump Administration: “Democracy at Crossroads: How Americans View Trump’s first 100 Days in Office,” and some of the misconceptions that have arisen.
• From De Tocqueville to Trump, how the notion of “creed” has developed over time, shaping the current state of religious freedom in America.
• How we can meaningfully celebrate Juneteenth and July 4th together - and why we should!

Towards the end of the episode, Robby leaves us with a powerful reminder of civic responsibility: “... whether it's inside a home, inside a business, inside a church or a synagogue or a mosque, there are roles for all of us to play because there is a fight going on, for - I know Biden used this term maybe a little too much, but I do think it's true - this kind of the soul of America really is, in many ways, at stake right now.”

Where to find Robby Jones:

• Bookmark the PRRI website, where a wealth of invaluable research is regularly posted for free.
• Check out Robby’s bestselling books, The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy, and the Path to a Shared American Future; White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity; and The End of White Christian America.
• Subscribe to his Substack, White Too Long, where he frequently posts on religion, White Christian Nationalism, and protecting a pluralistic democracy.

Have you heard these recent episodes of The State of Belief?

• June 24, 2024: On Diversity and Democracy with Wajahat Ali
• June 14, 2025: A Pastor Reports from the Front Lines in Los Angeles: Faith and Immigration

Please share this episode with one person who would enjoy hearing this conversation, subscribe, and thank you for listening!