Interviewed by Robert Dilday
What led to your focus on religious liberty issues?
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POSITION: Education and Outreach Specialist, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty AGE: 33 EDUCATION: B.S, The Citadel; M.Div., Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology CURRENT CITY: Washington PREVIOUSLY: Children’s Director, Buckhead Baptist Church, Atlanta; Hospice Chaplain, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta SERVICE: Decorated veteran, U.S. Air Force; Cooperative Baptist Fellowship- endorsed chaplain |
My interest developed in the past four years from a simple concept to a guiding passion. While I have always had a basic belief and understanding that people should be free to practice their faith as they pleased without influence from the government, my journey to comprehend the depth of the need for religious liberty and the Baptist history of protecting it began during my studies at McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University.
That basic concept grew further into a life principle when I became a chaplain intern at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and during my residency as a hospice chaplain. Both of those experiences placed me with families during some of the darkest hours of their lives, and that allowed me to see how crucial their faith was to them. As a chaplain, it wasn’t my job to give them my faith; I was there to support them in practicing their faith tradition. Those experiences made me recognize the gift we have in the United States of religious freedom. At the Baptist Joint Committee, I’m able to help defend and extend that gift of religious liberty for all, and that “all” includes those of different faiths and those of no faith, too.
What’s the biggest challenge in getting younger people engaged in advocating for religious liberty — or even understanding it? Is there a particular characteristic of the Millennial generation that offers a launching pad for their greater engagement in religious liberty advocacy?
Honestly, the biggest challenge can be the perception of religion in general. Instead of seeing it as a loving community that accepts, many in the younger generation associate religion with discrimination more than community. It does bring a smile to my face when I encounter someone from a college or university that we visit — or a student visiting our Center for Religious Liberty on Capitol Hill — who is pleasantly surprised to find out that a Baptist organization advocates for the rights of Muslims, Hindus, atheists and others.
I have found that engagement truly depends on how you address the issue. If your idea of “religious liberty” only encompasses those who share your faith, many in the Millennial generation seem to be less interested in your advocacy efforts, even if they also share your faith. But at the BJC, we have a history — not just an organizational history, but also a Baptist heritage — of protecting all religious rights. When we talk about our history and engage students with the opportunity to be a part of a movement to protect the rights of others, the level of interest increases.
Religious liberty is a social justice issue, and every day I see younger generations taking an interest in defending those who cannot defend themselves. As they champion the rights of all people and fight for social justice, we can work together behind the belief that every individual is important in God’s eyes. I have been encouraged to hear from and interact with a generation of advocates who truly understand that oppressing the freedom of others eventually oppresses your own freedom. That becomes a tremendous launching pad for developing younger advocates of religious liberty and the BJC.
Are there factors unique to the African-American experience in this country which both bring specific insights which strengthen religious liberty and also might pose challenges in increasing engagement within that community?
I could never speak for an entire group of people; I can only speak as an individual in that community. When religion is used to justify discrimination — or take away the rights of a group of people — the issue touches close to home. Religion and the government have been double-edged swords for African Americans in this country. Both have been the source of great victories for the community; however, they have both been used to oppress and demoralize the same community. That history motivates me to stand up for the spiritual beliefs of others so their prophetic voices can be heard. It is never far from my mind that Mahatma Gandhi, a devout Hindu, influenced Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s spiritual concept of nonviolence to combat oppression in America. To me, that alone should be great motivation for the African-American community to see the value of protecting religious liberty for all.
Plenty of people today seem to believe religious liberty is under assault. Are those concerns justified or exaggerated? Are you seeing hopeful signs of increasing religious liberty advocacy across the country?
I believe religious liberty is always one generation away from extinction. Protecting it demands our utmost vigilance, including a targeted approach to the education of young people. This means we can never get so comfortable with this liberty that we take either one of the two religion clauses in the First Amendment — preventing an establishment of religion and protecting free exercise of religion — for granted. Fighting against government-sponsored religion and defending each citizen’s right to the free exercise of religion have to be the priorities of everyone who wants continued religious liberty for all in this country. Those two clauses were intended to keep government neutral — neither helping nor hurting religion, but taking a step back and allowing people of faith to practice their religion as they see fit.
If you are of the mindset that one particular religion should be given favorable treatment over others, then you probably are a little concerned to see religions other than your own being treated equally. It has been true for every civil rights or social justice issue in this country: when one group has been privileged or preferred, change can feel like assault or punishment to the previously entitled group. Actually, it is the pendulum swinging back to neutral, and that is where it should be in this country when it comes to religion.
I am inspired when people of different faiths can work together with each other in a collective advocacy effort. The BJC often collaborates with a wide range of religious and nonreligious organizations; of course, since colonial times, Baptists have worked in alliance with others when we find common cause. When people — regardless of faith — start with what they have in common, the BJC’s efforts to increase the number of religious liberty advocates are more successful.
It is disheartening when people advocate for the government to favor one religion over others. Many nations around the world have shown us that violence is the result of governments who fail to protect religious minorities. That is why our educational efforts at the BJC are focused on providing advocates with reliable resources on religious liberty issues. They can trust that our work is based in Baptist principles and centered on religious freedom for all — not just those who share our faith. We remain steadfast in our coalition work with groups of many faith perspectives, and we will make sure our efforts continue to reach younger generations of future advocates.
What’s the best thing about your job?
I don’t know if I can just give you one thing, but that question immediately makes me think of my co-workers. It is a fantastic feeling to come to a job every day where you know that everyone on your team cares about the issue just as much as you. I also am grateful for a job that allows me to connect with many of my passions: to communicate with different people every day as well as to study theology, law and history. I enjoy the challenge!
Finally, who’s your favorite musician?
I value diversity in my life as well as my music. While I am a child of hip-hop and R&B, I enjoy classical music, jazz and country. If I had to choose a favorite musician, it would be someone who could sing, play an instrument, write and compose. Stevie Wonder would be that choice. However, because hip-hop is my first musical love, I have to say that no one delivers lyrical metaphors — or captures the essence of growing up in Georgia — like Andre 3000 of the group Outkast. Music is beautiful because it speaks to whoever takes the time to listen.