A discussion on the state of faith in America, and around the world with the hosts of Soundings(12-31-23)

In this week's episode, host Phil Tower welcomes the hosts of Soundings: Rev. Mike Wernick, Rector, Pastor, and Priest-in-Charge, Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Kentwood, Ascension Lutheran Church Kentwood(ELCA), Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Wyoming, MI.; Fr. Mark Przybysz, Retired Priest Diocese of Grand Rapids; Pastor Shannon Jammal-Hollemans, First Congregational-United Church of Christ, Lowell; Pastor Jessica Rivera-Walker, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church(*ELCA), Holland; Reverend Molly Bosscher, St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Grand Rapids, and Fr. Mike Cruickshank, Priest at Cathedral of St. Andrews, Grand Rapids.
Soundings is one of the longest-running programs on WOOD Radio in Grand Rapids and features weekly discussions about issues of faith hosted by clergy from several different denominations in the city. This episode features a conversation with The Soundings hosts on the ongoing War In the Middle East- where Israeli forces have unleashed an aerial and ground blitz against Hamas in Gaza after a cross-border rampage by the enclave's ruling Islamist group on Oct. 7.
Well over 21,000 Palestinians have been killed since then, according to Gaza Health Ministry figures, while over 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas incursion into Israel. We also discussed the controversial moves by Pope Francis, especially the firing of Texan Bishop Joseph Strickland, a fierce critic who has questioned the Pope's leadership of the Catholic church. The Soundings hosts also spoke about the changing face of organized religion and faith in America, as fewer and fewer people attend weekly services regularly.
Topics discussed: war in the Middle East, discrimination against Muslims, antisemitism, religion in America, churches and the LGBTQ plus population, Catholic faith and Pope Francis, religious liberty, and religious freedom.