S4, Ep. 11: The National Prayer Breakfast and religious freedom

On February 2, we'll see the 71st installment of an event that always raises eyebrows and makes news. The National Prayer Breakfast has been around since 1953, but what is it? Does it promote religious freedom, or is it yet another example of Christian nationalism? Amanda and Holly explore the legitimate questions it raises about faith in public life and the relationship between the institutions of government and religion. They also share their thoughts on what we should do about the National Prayer Breakfast and the key differences between it and the National Day of Prayer.

SHOW NOTES

Segment 1 (starting at 00:47): Exploring the National Prayer Breakfast from various angles

You can email Amanda and Holly at RespectingReligion@BJConline.org

Respecting Religion is made possible by BJC's generous donors. You can support these conversations with a gift to BJC. Use that link so we know your gift supports the podcast!

Listen to Amanda and Holly's conversation on the National Prayer Breakfast during the very first episode of Respecting Religion in February 2020 at this link. Their discussion of the event begins at 28:44 into the episode.

Amanda and Holly mentioned this op-ed in The Washington Post by Arthur Brooks, who was the keynote speaker at the 2020 National Prayer Breakfast: Trump and I disagreed at the National Prayer Breakfast. But we listened to each other

Throughout its history, the National Prayer Breakfast has been hosted by The Fellowship Foundation, also known as "The Family." You can visit their website at this link.

As mentioned, this year a newly-created nonprofit will be the official host of the National Prayer Breakfast. "The Family" will host a large event at the same time that includes a livestream. Read more in this Religion News Service article by Adelle Banks and Jack Jenkins: National Prayer Breakfast breaks from 'The Family' with new organization

Amanda and Holly mentioned this 2022 article by Jack Jenkins for Religion News Service: Sen. Chris Coons: This year's National Prayer Breakfast is a 'reset'

Segment 2 (starting at 25:21): History, controversies, and the proper relationship between religion and government

Amanda and Holly discussed the Johnson Amendment in season 2, episode 4: Grading the Trump administration on religious freedom (starting around 09:50 in that episode). You can also read more about BJC's work defending the protections of the Johnson Amendment

Journalist Jeff Sharlet wrote a book titled "The Family" in 2009 about the Fellowship Foundation, including the National Prayer Breakfast. In August 2019, Netflix released a 5-episode series called "The Family." You can read John Fea's review of the Netflix series that ran in The Washington Post.

Segment 3 (starting at 32:12): What's the difference between the National Prayer Breakfast and the National Day of Prayer?

Amanda quoted Brent Walker and quoted Holly from this BJC press release in 2011 about the National Day of Prayer.

Amanda tweeted about attending the White House's naturalization ceremony, held on Religious Freedom Day. See her tweets about attending here, including a clip from Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff's speech.

Respecting Religion is made possible by BJC's generous donors. You can support these conversations with a gift to BJC.