Navigating Faith and Politics: A Conversation with Todd Deatherage

In this episode, recorded live at our Following Jesus in Politics Learning Event, Pastor Damein Schitter interviews Todd Deatherage, Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Telos Group. Their mission is to form communities of American peacemakers across lines of difference, and equip them to help reconcile seemingly intractable conflicts at home and abroad. In this interview with Todd, we are hear about his background from a conservative Baptist upbringing in Arkansas to the halls of power on Capitol Hill, encountering a crisis of faith along the way. Todd's story sheds light on how the deluge of information and cultural shifts push many towards an "us versus them" mindset for a semblance of control, and he explores how personal interactions can shatter these simplistic narratives, providing a path to more inclusive perspectives—even in fraught situations like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In our conversation, Todd shares how his conservative Christian background initially shaped his views and political engagements, only to be challenged by the diverse, complex reality of working in Washington, D.C. He reflects on the impact of conservative Christian ideologies on international conflicts and the struggle to reconcile a simplistic theology with the world's intricacies. Emphasizing the teachings of Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount, Todd underscores the need for a theology rooted in peacemaking, advocating for a faith that evolves to meet new challenges and complexities.

Todd also insists on the importance of understanding media's role in shaping perceptions and urges thoughtful voting and civic engagement. From balancing personal frustrations with self-care to navigating the tension between respecting authorities and resisting unjust governance, we uncover how to maintain a consistent Christian witness while advocating for justice and human flourishing.