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Rep. Don Beyer on Faith and Democracy

State of Belief host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush talks with US Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), a member of the Congressional Freethought Caucus
Rep. Don Beyer on Faith and Democracy
Ray Kirstein


The new year presents a chance to reflect on significant issues for our society and democracy. In this election year, and on the anniversary of the January 6th insurrection, we reflect on democratic ideals and the challenges that still lie ahead, especially as threats like Christian nationalism put our democracy at risk. This week on The State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, U.S. Representative Don Beyer joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss the importance of faith-inspired political action to bring about a more resilient and just society.


 “I’ve read recently that the old governor of Arkansas said, if Trump doesn’t win the next election, all elections will be settled with bullets rather than ballots. I don’t believe that. I still spend all the time in the community. I only meet good people across the political spectrum. I’m friends with many, many conservative Republicans in the House who I don’t agree with how they would approach immigration or guns or abortion, but they’re still good people. You know, they love their families. They wouldn’t lie to me or try to hurt me. They have different ideas about how to make the world a better place. But I still have a deep faith that our country’s best days lie ahead.”  – Rep. Beyer shares why witnessing the January 6 insurrection didn’t shake his hope for American democracy.

Representative Don Beyer (VA-8) has served in Congress since 2015. He is a leader in the fight against hate and bias, including antisemitism and Islamophobia, and is a leader on issues regarding religious freedom, having introduced the Freedom of Religion Act in 2016. Additionally, his leadership on the Jabara Heyer NO HATE Act of 2021 created critical resources for the Department of Justice to support local law enforcement in fighting hate crimes. Rep. Beyer is the senior House Democrat on the Joint Economic Committee, serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, and is a member of the Congressional Freethought Caucus, which importantly works to keep religion out of government.

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