Summary: In this podcast, Rev. Dr. Welton Gaddy sits down with Joan Brown Campbell, Chautauqua’s Director of Religion, to discuss a variety of topics. Gaddy, who returns to the Institution after previously serving as a chaplain, says that it’s an important time for interfaith relations in the U.S., adding that religion could be an important issue in the 2012 election. “It is time for patriots to step up and for biased, partisan politicians to shut up,” says Gaddy. He calls for politicians to break away from the ties of their parties and to work together to improve our nation. Gaddy asks voters to engage in conversations with people of different political backgrounds and to expose themselves to multiple viewpoints. From there, he believes voters should reach their own conclusions based on what is important to them. He calls Americans to respect and encourage an interfaith commitment. Finally, Gaddy analyzes the lecture topic of Chautauqua’s Week Three in 2012: “Inspire. Commit. Act.” He shares how religion can lead to change.
