Washington, March 17 On this Sunday’s “State of Belief,” The Interfaith Alliance Foundation’s new show on Air America Radio, Rev. Welton Gaddy talks about a new term for Christian fundamentalists, FBI spying and welcomes special guest Al Franken who gives the Religious Right update.

Welton talks with Rabbi James Rudin, author of The Baptizing of America: The Religious Right’s Plans for the Rest of Us, about Christocrats and who they are. Rudin uses the term in his new book to describe extreme fundamentalists who seemingly wish to replace the Constitution with Old Testament Biblical law.

“It only takes 2% of a population to change the entire perspective if they are extremely determined, well financed and driven,” Rudin says. “This small group has enormous power both political and religious in society today.”

Jim Kleissler, Executive Director of The Thomas Merton Center in Pittsburgh, joins Welton to discuss the FBI spying on his center’s anti-war protest.

Al Franken channels Pat Robertson as he joins Welton to give this week’s religious right update. Tune in to find out who Al has in his crosshairs.

Chuck Currie, host of ChuckCurrie.blogs.com and prominent religious blogger, gives his thoughts on the challenges faced by the progressive religious movement and how bloggers are taking on those challenges.


Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.