No, Braver Angels is not inherently conservative; it's a nonpartisan organization that actively brings conservatives (Red) and liberals (Blue) together to depolarize America, aiming to foster understanding, reduce bias, and find common ground, not to promote one side's agenda. They are intentionally balanced, ensuring equal representation of Red and Blue perspectives in their leadership and programs, with the goal of bridging divides, not changing minds.
Braver Angels defines itself a "nonpartisan group whose mission is to study and strengthen civil society" with a focus on reducing polarization.
The Braver Angels Way
We keep intact the separation of church and state within Braver Angels because our core materials continue to be secular while providing sponsoring faith organizations the 'wrapper' as a way to incorporate their faith-based depolarization rationale.
Braver Angels, whose goal is to 'inspire and equip Americans to practice courageous citizenship across political differences through skill-building, convening, and collaborative action,' is one of the few organizations that is genuinely attempting to overcome our rancorous divisions by getting ordinary Americans to sit ...
Braver Angels aims to be a member-supported organization with the majority of our budget covered by member contributions. In 2022, 38% of our $4.4M budget was supplied by member dues and gifts. This represented a 20% increase from 2021.
Donald Trump identifies as a non-denominational Christian, a shift from his upbringing in the Presbyterian faith, which he stated in 2020, noting he was confirmed Presbyterian but now considered himself non-denominational. While raised Presbyterian and influenced by the teachings of positive thinking from Norman Vincent Peale's Marble Collegiate Church, he emphasizes a broad Christian identity, aligning closely with evangelical Christians and their concerns.
Stephen Greenblatt, John Cogan University Professor of the Humanities and a fellow Pulitzer honoree, opened Tuesday's event, which was sponsored by the Center for Jewish Studies, by asking about Kushner's relation to his Jewish identity. “It depends which day of the week you ask,” the playwright responded, to laughter.
Stick to facts and avoid exaggeration. Avoid sarcasm. In politics, we support principles that bring us together rather than divide us. Avoid name calling and labeling (e.g. “wingnuts,” “Bible thumper,” “libtards,” “snowflakes.” ● Look at how you and your side may have contributed to the problem.
In 2024 Curtis Sliwa and the Guardian Angels were involved in controversy after they physically accosted a man who they wrongly accused of being a “migrant” and a shoplifter. The altercation unfolded on live television as Sliwa and the Guardian Angels were being interviewed by Fox News commentator Sean Hannity.
Braver Angels' primary programming is focused on one-on-one conversations and workshops that bring together conservative “Reds” and liberal “Blues” to facilitate respectful conversations. The workshops are not about convincing someone to believe what you believe.
Hoover is opposed to Donald Trump. Before the 2020 election, she said, "I can't bring myself to vote for Donald Trump", adding that she would "quite likely" vote for Joe Biden instead, as she found the vote a "binary choice".
NPR controversies center on accusations of liberal bias, particularly after a 2024 essay by veteran editor Uri Berliner, leading to debates about its coverage of stories like the Hunter Biden laptop, COVID-19 origins, and Trump-Russia, with critics pointing to the prioritization of race and identity and a lack of viewpoint diversity, while NPR executives defend their journalism but acknowledge some reporting mistakes, fueling calls from conservatives to defund the public broadcaster.
Jon Steingard, the former lead singer of the Christian rock band Hawk Nelson, publicly shared in 2020 that he no longer believes in God, a loss of faith that developed over several years due to questioning biblical teachings, the problem of evil, and issues like the denial of evolution and LGBTQ+ rights, though he still felt a call to share his journey with others.
Raised a Catholic, Now an Atheist; George Clooney Credits His Moral Compass to Religious Upbringing...
Beyoncé was raised in a Christian household, attending both Methodist and Catholic churches, but her music and personal spirituality incorporate diverse influences, notably Yoruba/Santería traditions (like the deity Oshun in Lemonade) and a strong sense of Black spiritual pride, exploring themes of womanhood, divinity, and ancestral power beyond traditional dogma, leading some to see her as a spiritual icon, even inspiring "Beyoncé masses" within Christian worship.
Costner was raised Baptist. He was not academically inclined in school, but did play sports (especially football), take piano lessons, write poetry, and sing in the First Baptist Choir. He has said that watching the 1962 film How the West Was Won as a child inspired his love for Western films.
Musk was baptized as a child in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. Despite both Elon and Errol previously stating that Errol was a part owner of a Zambian emerald mine, in 2023, Errol recounted that the deal he made was to receive "a portion of the emeralds produced at three small mines".
Maury Giles is stepping into his new role as CEO of Braver Angels after spending five years with the organization as a volunteer, a transition he describes as both unexpected and deeply purposeful.
Effectively depolarized participants in Braver Angels programs, even during a year of high polarization. Dramatically increased membership from 2,950 in March 2020 to 9,262 by February 2021. Hosted 443 unique events with near- ly 6,000 participants between March 2020 and February 2021.
For the past few years, participants in our workshops have been asked to fill out pre- and post-evaluations, where they're asked a range of questions, from how the event was run to how participants feel about those on the other side.