Considering the stakes, this year’s midterm elections are far from normal. Recent polling suggests that Christian nationalism could be gaining traction on the right, but fortunately younger generations are resisting its encroachment into public life.

Our vote remains powerful, but there is undoubtedly a clear and concerted effort underway by the Political Religious Right and their allies to distort the meaning of religious freedom. This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, we’ll be discussing what to expect on Election Day and just how we got here in the first place.

Faith leaders across the country are using the power of the pulpit and adopting creative ways to get their congregations to vote in the approaching midterm elections. Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, CEO of the Skinner Leadership Institute, has long provided inspiring leadership in congregations across the country as well as in the halls of Congress. She joins Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, host of State of Belief, this week to discuss the work she is doing organizing poll chaplains to stand for democracy as part of the initiative Religions United to Save Democracy.

No analysis of this midterm cycle is complete without discussing the influence of faith, both in protection of and at odds with democracy. As Christian nationalists are spreading hate and division, interfaith groups are pushing back in defense of our democratic values. Religion News Service national reporter Jack Jenkins is a leading expert on this dangerous movement as well as the brave faith groups combating it, and he joins Paul to share some of what he’s been reporting on heading into the midterm election and where he thinks we go from here.