State of Our Faith
State of our Faith was live-streamed for 15 straight Sundays, from late March to late June. We intended to provide a conversation about what our faith teaches us during a pandemic, not knowing that it would continue for as long as it did. Now, State of our Faith will happen as issues arise that we want to process together. Catch up on previous episodes on our YouTube channel, or by clicking on the subject matters of each episode listed below.
- Food Insecurity
- Fear and Faith
- Mass Critical Care
- Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins
- Mental Health
- Reopening Worship?
- Dr. Brian Williams: Two Pandemics
- Faith and Gender Roles
- Byron Sanders: Education
- Freedom and Incarceration
- Police Brutality with Sara Mokuria
- Church-State Separation with Melissa Rogers
- Defund the Police
- Independence
- Religion in the Public Square: What Are the Limits?
State Of Our Faith Videos
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State of Our Faith: Derek Chauvin Convicted
Rev. Frederick D. Haynes III joins Faith Commons to reflect on the guilty conviction of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, just an hour after the court reading on April 20, 2021. -
State of Our Faith with Miguel Solis on DISD Bonds - Full Episode
October 25, 2020
Confused about the language on the ballot that says "This is a property tax increase," when everyone is saying it's actually NOT a tax increase? Watch this conversation and you'll understand so much better. Spoiler alert: It's because...politics.
0:22 - 5:40
Intro, summary of DISD progress
5:55 - 12:30
What happens if the bond passes?
Is this the right time with shaky economy to pass this large bond?
Explain why it's not a tax increase.
HB3 (and politics) is why that language is on the ballot.
12:30 - 17:55
Should we really celebrate HB3?
How does the state legislature affect district funding?
17:55-19:37
Breakdown of the 5 propositions on the ballot (and why there have to be 5). You guessed it: Politics!
19:40-26:50
Rabbi Nancy talks about her family's choice to send kids to private school and the value of public education.
Miguel talks about DISD's intentional socio-economic/ethnic mix and shows charts that reveal how integration produces better outcomes for all kids.
26:50-32:55
George talks about how a narrative change for public schools is needed to help families make the choice to send their kids to public school.
RootEd in San Antonio is doing this.
Miguel talks about how you can help change the narrative for DISD.
32:56 - 35:45
Value of public education for society.
36:00 - 39:05
Public ed should be a first choice for families.
39:05-41:05
More than just academics on the bond: extra-curricular too. Why should we invest in that?
41:07-43:20
Parallel between improving school facilities and improving houses of worship (and your own home).
43:20-45:16
Karla Garcia's story about the building contributing to the mindset about a student's potential.
45:16-end
What's coming up in next legislative session.
Summing up...
When you vote on this bond, ask yourself: "Do I want kids to be able to go to the kind of school they can be safe in, succeed in, and be proud of in my city, or do I not?" -
Religion in the Public Square: What Are the Limits?
Rabbi Nancy Kasten and Pastor George Mason are joined by SMU Professor of Religious Studies Mark Chancey. They talk about the ways that--especially the Christian faith--has been misappropriated in public by political figures lately and why that's wrong.