Observations on GTU and BCSR Seminar with Bishop Mariann Budde

April 10, 2025

The Students and the Space

The nineteen students who attended the seminar were very different than those who would have assembled in the 1970s when I was a student at the GTU.  In 1970 it would have been almost all white and mostly male, and maybe a couple publicly identified as gay.  Yesterday the gender composition was diverse and complex,  with gay, transgender and female students representing almost half of the group.  The ethnic and national composition was just as profound, as the group included probably 90% students of color.  Take a look at the photo to see for yourself.

I would also offer, therefore, that most of the students were from groups that have been targeted by the Trump administration for marginalization and vilification in some way. They were all scared.

What also struck me, I was in an institutional setting that embraced this diversity.  Sam Shonkoff, professor of Jewish Studies, chairing the seminar, invited the students to express their pronoun preferences.   The GTU is a welcoming interfaith  and pluralistic theological institution. This event was notable for it was counter to the national rhetoric and policies of the current wave of Christian Nationalism that is promoted by the Trump Administration and given the spotlight by the national media.  Adding Bishop Budde’s embrace of diversity, I witnessed a unique safe space for the conversation.  We are fortunate to have this kind of safe space in our society, especially with today’s anti-diversity messaging and dismantling of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs in education.  We once could count on this type of safe space in our ecumenical religious institutions and liberal theological seminaries and higher education in general.  Today this is in jeopardy.  But at least for about 2 hours it was palpable and inspiring.  

After the seminar I walked out of the building with Bishop Budde, we visited the library display of her authored books and the books authored by Robert Bellah with photos of him and his Habits of the Heart co-authors Dick Madsen, Bill Sullivan, Ann Swidler and Steve Tipton.  We talked about the composition of the group and the unique space provided by the GTU.   She connected it directly to the Bellah’s notion of “play.”  She found Bellah’s notion of a “relaxed field” to be profound and helpful.  I was able to see her work at the National Cathedral in this same light.  These are places where the mundane cares of daily life for survival can be put on hold, and we can feel the freedom of these moments.  This is what Bellah, and others, have commented on, akin to the parenting and nurture that allows our children to play. However, it is just as important throughout our whole  life.  In education we can test new ideas; it is “serious play,” but play none the less.  In these moments we have the opportunity to create.  Our music, literature, culture and religion arise in these protected spaces and occasions.   

When educational institutions are under attack or captive to narrow ideological positions, we have lost the freedom needed to make us more fully human in the best sense of what we can be.  

Theological education in general, and in particular, today at the Graduate Theological Union, I witnessed  a “relaxed field” ripe for creative and safe serious play.  Such a space needs to be supported and strengthened, it is essential to our personal, cultural and national well-being.  Bellah’s ideas were being lived this day.  Or better, what Bellah has observed and so eloquently expressed that is built into to our humanity, was on display this day.   

Bishop Budde illustrated that this was a space in which she was very comfortable.   She  embraced each student  by  attentively listening to their self-introductions, research interests and their concerns about the world we live in.  She invited them to pose questions for her to address.  Our nature, a special institutional setting, and Bishop Budde melded together to produce a remarkable safe and welcoming conversation.  

The Sermon at the National Cathedral and Civil Religion

She shared with the group her story. It was the backstory of her sermon at the National Cathedral during the Trump inauguration.  She began by explaining the role of the Cathedral in the life of the Nation a “church for national purposes.” 

That is,  as stated on its website, “serving as a sacred space for national significance and a house of prayer for all people. It is often used for national events, including state funerals and memorial services, as well as national prayer services.” The memorial services for John McCane and Jimmy Carter were mentioned as examples as, of course, as a prayer service during the inauguration of a new US President.  The cathedral, which took almost hundred years to complete was not finished until 1990.  One could write a dissertation on the Cathedral, exploring its role in our civil religion since the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation was chartered by an act of Congress in 1893.  The events and symbols in the church represent the notion of a national covenant that seeks to be responsible to values beyond the nation itself,  but also the ambiguity of some of the symbols, which she pointed out.  Some of the stain glass windows  were presented by the Daughters of the Confederacy and there is the sarcophagus of Woodrow Wilson, who re-instated a segregated federal workforce as President.  She was very tuned into Bellah’s idea of a civil religion to which she referred in her comments.  

A general concept that informed her sermon at Trump’s inaugural was the work of Tim Shriver with the Dignity Index project https://www.dignity.us.  This work helped her push back against what she called the “culture of contempt.”  The premise as stated by the project is that “Our disagreements aren’t causing the divisions in our country; it’s what we do when we disagree. The Dignity Index® scores distinct phrases along an eight-point scale from contempt to dignity. By focusing on the sound bites, not the people behind them, the Index attempts to stay true to its own animating spirit: that everyone deserves dignity.  She acknowledged that many people are scared today.  In her sermon she was thinking of those in our society who are being vilified by Trump and the culture of contempt when she asked for compassion and mercy for immigrants and  LGBTQ+ individuals.  As I mentioned previously, some who are in these targeted groups were participating in the student seminar.  “Dignity” was one of the four pillars she suggested that was essential for unity in our society.  “Unity” was the topic of her sermon.  The other three pillars are honesty, humility and mercy.  

The process  that produced  the moment where she appealed to Trump to have compassion and mercy at the Cathedral was a fascinating story.  Once it was certain that the Cathedral was given control over the service and who would speak, unique in the history of Inaugural committees, what she would say became a story of courage.  She could have just played it safe and made sure that she would not be the target of Trump’s vile, which so many are doing in our universities, law firms, mass media, congress and the judiciary.  It was a risk.  But to read her book, How We Learn to Be Brave,  she had been preparing all her life for these moments, as she had also demonstrated in her response to Trump’s Bible stunt in front of one of her churches in Washington DC after he had the Black Lives Matter protestors removed from Lafayette Square during his first Administration. 

Of course, what she did say in her sermon, did prompt the ire of Trump, who called her names, asked for her to be fired and for her to apologize. He thus illustrated the precise reason why we need the Dignity project that informed her sermon.  She also received hate mail and death threats after her sermon.  Her courage prompted the Bellah Legacy Group and the GTU to invite her to inaugurate the Bellah Lectureship and help sponsor the seminar with the graduate students. We were fortunate she accepted our invitation.

Other Highlights from the Seminar

As she spoke and engaged with the questions and comments from the students some moments stood out for me:

First, her narrative approach was a very effective way to connect with the students.  Her stories were filled with poignant episodes and conceptual insights, as she  embodied the authenticity of her message.  The story about how her Cathedral sermon evolved and the illustrations from her whole life gave the students a front row seat for her story.  Her stories carried a message of existential decision making utilizing all resources available, reading, colleagues, prayer and good fortune of the inaugural committee. Her national best seller, How We Learn to Be Brave was  written in a similar narrative style that gave  life to often complex decisions, applied theories and trenchant analyses.  Stepping back and using Bellah’s concepts about cultural evolution, especially our inheritance from the Axial Age, we might say this was a master class in memetic, narrative and theoretical understandings, holding on to the essential tradition of religion.  She embodied her values, gave legitimacy to narrative truths while utilizing conceptual analyses based in rational thinking to sustain a moral vision to give the students a universal hope.  

Second, it was interesting to me that she used less traditional Christian language with the students. In her lecture she did not shy away from God language that helped to communicate to the audience that her “north star” was her faith, and the life of Jesus was her bedrock.  In the seminar she was more expansive in her language when she said she has spent “her whole life trying to discern and connect with the vital force moving in the world,” or something similar to this.  Bellah referred to religion as the “symbolization of man’s relation to the ultimate conditions of his existence.”  Though Bellah did not shy away from God language on occasion in his personal statements of his devotion to Christianity,  and he avoided definitional statements about religion, he wanted to point out the universal nature of religion for all humans.  I think Bishop Budde and Bellah were on the same wavelength given their comfort with traditional language yet seen in the context of a larger human response in all religions.  

Third, she had to field many painful stories from the students where institutional religion had failed them.  She was able to identify with them given her own life experience, yet at the same time to give them hope that a person like her was working to help the institutional church evolve to be a resource for individuals seeking answers to the ultimate conditions of life.  Again, she embodies in her practice what she says.  This was palpable to all in the seminar.  She spoke about her life-long efforts to try to turn the tide from the dwindling church attendance in the mainline ecumenically oriented liberal churches.  This topic was not pursued in depth, but it made me think about some of the writings of the Bellah Legacy Group that try to understand this.  Many of these writings have been informed by Bellah et. al. when they talked about people saying they were  “spiritual and not religious.”  Galen Watts’ book, The Spiritual Turn: The Religion of the Heart and the Making of Romantic Liberal Modernity and Steve Tipton’s In and Out of Church: The Moral Arc of Spiritual Change in America are two that come to mind and, of course, along with Habits of the Heart.  

Follow-up to the Seminar

The question for me is how to sustain the current discussion and enthusiasm prompted by Bishop Budde’s lecture and the heightened interest in Bellah.

1. Even though Bishop Budde impressively used Bellah ideas in her lecture any reference by her to his work in the seminar did not prompt further inquiry.  These students are not informed by or conversant with Bellah’s ideas.  They are, however, now aware and curious.  I would suggest that these same students be invited to another seminar to have a conversation with one of the Bellah Legacy members, particularly one of his co-authors.  This would not be a formal presentation but a conversation.  Other GTU faculty members who are knowledgeable about Bellah’s ideas could join the discussion. 

2. Other Bellah Legacy Group members could be in direct contact with Bishop Budde to be available for further conversations.  Galen Watts and Steve Tipton could be available concerning the nature of religious and spiritual understandings that impact church attendance.  Also, conversations with Bishop Budde about a wider solidarity movement from the religious left that could mount a more visible and effective voice to counter the current Christian Nationalism, and anti-pluralistic policy moves by the Trump administration, might Include the work of Bob Wuthnow, Phillip Gorski and John Carlson or in fact any Member of the Bellah Legacy Group.

3. In order to maintain the momentum for our efforts we need identify our future speaker for next spring.

4. We need to continue to share with Bishop Budde the positive responses to her lecture to let her know she is not alone and has other responsive and brave supporters.  Such as:

“What an outstanding first event!!!  60 members of Pilgrim Place attended the event through our large screen. The applause here was wonderful and energizing!  Rev. Budde gave a great introduction to Robert Bellah’s work!”  Lynn

“ I’m so glad to hear this report, Mark. Kudos to you and everyone else involved in the event planning and execution.  Like others, I look forward to watching the video of the event. I’m sorry that I was not able to be present. I think I mentioned I was hosting David French at the very same time for a public event in my center. He also was phenomenal. I imagine that, in spite of their very different religious orientations, Budde and French -- and all of us anywhere in between -- now all find ourselves part of a shared movement to defend what is decent and right about religion, democracy, and American principles in these very troubling times.”  John

“We are so grateful to you for inviting  us to see Bishop Budde. She is such an inspiration, and it was so nourishing to our souls to hear her speak during these difficult times. She is truly a bodhi sattva even if she is an Episcopalian!”  Lisa“Thank you Harlan for all your hard work in helping to create a most inspirational event today with Bishop Budde.  We watched on Zoom. Such a nurturing experience to be able to hear from her one step away from being there in person.” Warmly,  Jane

“Thank you, Harlan, for the privilege of hearing Mariann Buddy - what a sensitive, caring, thoughtful and restrained presence I think she crafted her remarks to very much honor Robert Bellah as well. Hope you were thrilled with your inaugural lecture. She certainly will be a hard act to follow,” Kathy

“Dear Harlan: Jessica and I both want you to know how much we appreciated being included in the Bellah event on Wednesday evening. Please be sure we receive a follow up contribution solicitation. Gratefully, Bob ( We can include this as another item on our agenda when the four of us reconvene!)”

“Dear Harlan and Mark, Cheers all around and to both of you in particular! Bishop Budde did her homework, doing justice to Bob and the prophets while lifting up the souls of the faithful in Berkeley and beyond.”  Steve

“Harlan, we had 92 watching in Decker hall the life stream of Budde's lecture and response to questions.  She got a strong ovation from us.  Technology really worked, so we could be present, with her and then with the audience there. She offered quite an inspiring selection with comments from Bellah's work. Her enthusiasm is catching:  "I want to be heard."  "We need institutions,  I want a job." She is very effective communicator.  Uses herself well.  Is someone to keep watching.   Maybe she can find a way to get in front of Trump again and get a hearing in her rebuttal of him. Proud of your persistence and glad for you for this marvelous pay off from it.” Hugh

“Thank you, Harlan, for your lovely message.  The post-event discussions were wonderful, and all of it definitely piqued my interest in Robert Bellah. You were so lucky to have known him, and to have been able to discuss issues with him.” Pam

She really did hit it out of the ballpark! It was masterful, especially in weaving Bob’s ideas into her own arguments. Kudos to those of you on the front lines who made it happen so smoothly. Bob

  What a splendid talk! I've received a lot of comments from people who watched it live-stream, including "very inspiring," "she really did her Bellah homework," "what a courageous woman," and "what a great event". I concur with all of these…Mark

“Dear Harlan and Margot -- while I would have greatly preferred being there in person, I am so grateful that I was able to live stream.  I don't remember why I knew of Bellah -- from college? grad school?  -- but I didn't know of his insights into faith and religion in the US, or the dangers we face...Unfortunately, prescient! And Budde is inspiring in so many ways -- as demonstrated in her prepared remarks and her responses to the questions: her thoughtfulness, courage, humility, faith, commitment, generosity of spirit quest to understand ...”  Xoxo Jamie

“Dear Harlan,  You must be reeling still.  What a wonderful presentation and Q&A which I must admit was my favorite part.  To watch Dr. Budde listen to the questions, to watch her think about her answer, and to hear her articulate each and every one so spot on was pure joy.  And the questions/remarks from the people were out of Berkeley central casting (in a good way).  The woman who was a preacher on 16th and Mission…….I loved that she got her answer and ran out of the church.  And the man from the Caribbean…….to observe Budde’s face while he was speaking was truly remarkable.  OK enough…..

 Of course, her lecture itself was terrific too. I knew nothing about Bellah, I must confess.  Another great thinker and one to be honored by her…. She has moved to my# 1  spot on my heroes list. Extraordinary in every way.  Thank you so much for sending us the invite.  I will pass this on to more friends once I get the link.  Thank you, dear friends, I am so impressed what you helped to put together Hugs,”  Saun