About Political and Spiritual
Are you concerned about the current political/religious climate in the United States and elsewhere?
You’ve come to the right place.
Here we focus on information and inspiration. Here we focus on hope.
This is a podcast that invites thought leaders and action leaders to elevate the conversation with respect, informed and educated ideas, and spiritual sensitivity. The telling of stories helps us understand each other better, which is why the format of this podcast is largely conversation. When we hear the narratives by which others live, we tend to understand those persons better and we have more compassion for them. Even if we disagree, we can appreciate the life experience of the other.
The guests in the podcasts, then, include people from the overlapping circles of many spheres of influence: politicians, creators, faith leaders, scientists, thinkers, justice advocates, sometimes people you recommend.
With every edition of the podcast, we attempt to serve you with intelligence, kindness, respect, and humor. The goal is to awaken minds and hearts and to prompt action as we reach into our spirits and reach out to humanity. We never claim to have all the answers, but also never shy from exploring the most difficult questions, including complex political topics and how they relate to spirituality.
This podcast (PAS) explores the intersections and disconnects between what we see in the modern culture and what our faiths teach us, or what our inner spirits know is true.
PAS exists to elevate voices that illustrate the junction between progressive political ideas and spirituality. These voices are often drowned out by other voices that dominate the conversation in America. At PAS, we find those other voices troubling. Those are the voices that:
- refuse to acknowledge the importance of science or the need to care for the planet;
- disparage other faith groups and those who identify as spiritual but not religious;
- allow our political leaders to dehumanize refugees and immigrants, often ignoring how their own ancestors arrived here;
- discount the value of education, especially when ideas are introduced that contradict their world view;
- align, wittingly or not, with those who espouse racist and white nationalist ideals;
- consider the affluent worthy of being rewarded simply by virtue of wealth, while maligning the poor as undeserving, selfish, and lazy;
- support–let’s say it–a President and other leaders whose integrity is deeply deficient, who objectify women, who relate well to white supremacists, who call our venerable news outlets “fake” and “enemies of the people,” and who threaten with harm those who question;
- remain silent when politicians rig the democratic system to benefit themselves and their cronies;
- vilify women who dare to speak out for their rights or against their abusers;
- profess to “love” LGBTQ persons while ridiculing them and attempting to curtail their rights;
- dispute the need for justice for the poor and oppressed.
It’s no surprise that rapidly growing numbers of Americans, especially young adults, are abandoning the faith of their upbringing. They cannot reconcile the disconnect between the teachings of their religions and the actions and attitudes of many conservative religious leaders.
PAS aspires to change the conversation.
Political and Spiritual understands that one role of religion/spirituality in society is an attitude of critique–the critique of social structures that are inhumane or unjust. Not aligning with any party, we strive to offer discussion, analysis, and, yes, hope.
There are other narratives in our culture that often do not get as much press. These are the narratives of ecology, spirituality, immigration, interracial understanding and friendship, health care, justice, gender equality, anti-nationalism, and the importance of every human being.
Join us on this journey of conversation, connection, and conviction. Join us in hope.
About Melissa Bane Sevier
The Rev. Dr. Melissa Bane Sevier is a fledgling podcaster, Presbyterian minister, public speaker, author, photographer, and blogger. Check out her weekly faith blog, Contemplative Viewfinder, or her photography portfolio. After more than 23 years as a pastor, Melissa chose to retire early in order to focus on her writing and photography–and now, podcasting.
Melissa believes in the power of narrative to move people and communities. She loves to create, tell, or hear a great story. She also believes passionately, as you have certainly already noted, in the Oxford comma. And she finds it weird that she’s referring to herself in the third person in this section. She promises to cease doing that in the future.
Her background? Melissa has a degree in education, a Master in Christian Education, a Master of Divinity, and a Doctor of Ministry. She grew up in the United Methodist Church and was always in some discomfort at the way congregations seemed to ignore many teachings of Jesus, especially about the poor and about the equality of all persons. Melissa went on to work as a director of Christian education, then as a PCUSA pastor. Over the years she evolved from a questioning Evangelical to an open and active advocate for all. She’s grateful for the many people along the way who helped her to see the importance of working for justice. She has tremendous respect for other religious traditions, as well as for the spiritualities that many express outside of a particular religious faith.
Politically, Melissa began her adult life as a Republican, then was an Independent for many years. She changed to the Democratic Party to vote in the 2018 primary. Her inclination would be to return to Independent status if that didn’t preclude voting in primaries. All that is to say she really doesn’t fit into any neat political container.
Things that feed her spirit, in no particular order:
- Spending time with her husband
- Family
- Friends
- Being outdoors
- Walking, jogging, hiking
- Yoga
- Canoeing
- Taking arty photographs and processing them
- Music
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening
- Quiet
- Solitude
- Engaging with people
- Paying attention
- Laughing and making people laugh
- Learning something new
- Gardening
- Cooking, eating, feeding family and friends
- Worshiping with a community
- Leading worship
- Gratitude
- Chocolate. Lots. Of. Chocolate.
