This week, Ruth Graham, National Reporter on Religion, Faith and Values at The New York Times, joins Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to reflect on the dynamic intersection of religion and politics in America, especially in light of recent political developments and the evolving religious landscape. Their discussion touches on a range of key issues, from the rise of religious nationalism to shifting religious affiliations and the effects of politics on religious practice.
Ruth speaks about some of her fascinating recent work for the New York Times, including Pete Hegseth and His ‘Battle Cry’ for a New Christian Crusade; In a First Among Christians, Young Men Are More Religious Than Young Women; and America’s New Catholic Priests: Young, Confident and Conservative. She expands on the complexities of religious reporting, the challenges of capturing the diverse and evolving nature of faith in the U.S., and the personal stakes of writing these stories with empathy and understanding.
“I think the most important story, and maybe it’s recency bias, [is] the tremendous comeback of Donald Trump, and the realization that you know, boy, yeah, that consolidation of Christian power of men. I think it is the comeback of Trump and what that means for Christian power in the US. And also for the Church itself. I don’t know if that’s the number one most important story, but it’s the one I find myself most interested in, the ways that Trump is reshaping the Church… You have a whole movement on the right for pastors to quote-unquote ‘speak their minds,’ and speak truth – which, in this context, means being much more direct in preaching directly on political and culture war topics. And that’s going to have a long impact. You know, an administration is only four years, but that’s reshaping the American Church for the next generation.”
– Ruth Graham, national reporter based in Dallas, covering religion, faith and values for The New York Times. She is the recipient of awards from the Religion News Association and the American Academy of Religion. In 2024, her work featured a range of topics, including coverage of the interaction between religion and politics. Highlighted work in 2024 includes Pete Hegseth and His Battle Cry For A New Christian Crusade; First Among Christians, Young Men Are More Religious Than Young Women; Piety and Profanity: The Raunchy Christians Are Here.