FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Washington Theological Consortium (WTC) will welcome an international interfaith leader to Washington, D.C. on Sunday, October 26, 2025, to discuss current abuses by political movements to impose a narrow religious agenda, and how people across faith traditions can respond among their communities and in the public sphere.
The free event, entitled “Faith in Authoritarian Times,” will feature Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, President & CEO of Interfaith Alliance, a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country committed to furthering a resilient democracy with protections for religious freedom and civil rights. The event is open to the public and will take place at the School of International Service on the campus of American University in Washington, D.C., beginning at 4 p.m., with a reception following. Space at the venue is limited, so registration is required for participants online here.
“We are grateful to welcome Rev. Raushenbush to speak on this vital topic,” said Dr. Larry Golemon, Executive Director of the WTC. “When political movements seek to hoard and abuse power and silence dissent, it is not just democracy that is at risk—it is the spiritual integrity of our nation. Increasingly, it is a crucial act of faith to speak out and act in defense of democracy and our country’s spiritual integrity,” Golemon continued.
An ordained Baptist minister, Rev. Raushenbush is a longtime interfaith leader and advocate for civil rights and religious freedom. He speaks regularly at colleges, faith communities and institutes around the country – including The Chautauqua Institute, the Center for American Progress, Council on Foreign Relations, the New America Foundation and the Aspen Institute. He is a frequent commentator on issues of religion, civil rights and social justice in national media outlets. He has published two books and contributed essays to several volumes on faith in public life.
Rev. Raushenbush also hosts the weekly podcast and radio show “The State of Belief,” in partnership with Religion News Service. Notable guests have included Timothy Snyder, Skye Perryman, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Rep. Eric Swalwell, Katherine Stewart, Bishop William Barber, Rabbi Sharon Brous, Najeeba Sayeed, E.J. Dionne and Rob Reiner.
Raushenbush’s presentation on October 26 is part of an annual series of lectures for the WTC entitled the Tachmindji Event for Interfaith Dialogue and Peacebuilding, and is made possible by a generous endowment to the WTC from Mrs. Diane Tachmindji.
Members of the media are encouraged to participate in the event, and interviews with Dr. Golemon and Rev. Raushenbush are available upon request at [email protected] or by phone at (202) 832-2675.
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About the Washington Theological Consortium
Founded over 50 years ago, the Washington Theological Consortium is a community of theological schools and partners from diverse traditions that pursue ecumenical dialogue, interfaith understanding, and educational collaboration to better equip clergy and laity for the ministry of the Church in a diverse society. For more information, please contact Rev. Larry Golemon, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Washington Theological Consortium, at (202) 832-2675 or [email protected] or visit washtheocon.org.