Episode #19
An Evening at the National Cathedral: Faith, Freedom, and the Common Good
"Exploring how faith can promote virtue and republican ideals" SHOW NOTES: In this episode of The Blessings of Liberty , Melody Barnes , Executive Director of Karsh Institute of Democracy at the University of Virginia, the Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde , Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, and Rabbi David Saperstein , former United States Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom, join to discuss the role of faith in advancing the common good and strengthening democratic society. Jeffrey Rosen , senior fellow at FIRE and CEO Emeritus of the National Constitution Center, moderates. This program was originally recorded as a component of the September 16th Dallin H. Oaks Evening Program at the Washington National Cathedral, a part of the Cathedral’s A Better Way initiative. Participants Melody Barnes is executive director of the UVA Karsh Institute of Democracy and a professor of practice at the Miller Center. During the administration of President Barack Obama, Barnes was assistant to the president and director of the White House Domestic Policy Council. The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde is the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, the first woman elected to the position. She also serves as the chair of the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation, which stewards the ministries of the Washington National Cathedral and Cathedral schools. Rabbi David Saperstein is director emeritus of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, having served as its director and counsel for 40 years. He also served as the United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom during the second term of the Obama administration. Jeffrey Rosen is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and CEO Emeritus of the National Constitution Center. He is also a professor of law at the George Washington University Law School and a contributing editor of The Atlantic . Additional Resources Dallin H. Oaks Evening Program Crossroads , the Washington National Cathedral’s podcast Stay Connected and Learn More Continue the conversation by following us on social media. Substack: @rosenjeffrey Instagram: @TheBlessingsOfLiberty X: @JeffreyRosenPod X (Personal): @RosenJeffrey YouTube: @TheBlessingsofLibertyPod Explore Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness Thank you to our presenting sponsor, FIRE, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to defending and sustaining the individual rights of all Americans—especially freedom of speech and free thought. Learn more about FIRE’s work at FIRE.org/blessings .
