MPR News with Angela Davis

How are religious leaders guiding their congregations through the election?

Pastor Carmen Means of Christ Presbyterian Church
Pastor Carmen Means of Christ Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis worships during a community memorial for George Floyd.
Evan Frost | MPR News file

Does a person's religion decide their politics? Or is it the other way around? Host Angela Davis tackles that chicken-or-egg question by talking with pastors about how they’re handling this contentious election with their congregations, as well as a social scientist who studies the intersection of religion and politics.

Historically, people have looked to their religious leaders for guidance. But between the coronavirus, racial tensions and culture clashes, the things we're worrying about today feel pretty high stakes. Do religious leaders still carry the clout they once did? And with federal tax law restricting charities’ and churches’ participation in political activism, how far can these leaders go?

Davis also checked in on the state of the economy, as she does each Monday, with MPR News senior economics contributor Chris Farrell.

Guests:

  • Rev. Edrin C. Williams is the senior pastor at Sanctuary Covenant Church in Minneapolis, a multiethnic church that emphasizes social justice.

  • Rev. Lucas Woodford is the president of the Minnesota South District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.

  • Brian Calfano is an associate professor in political science and journalism at the University of Cincinnati. He studies the impact of religion on politics, and vice versa.

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