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Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush

Checked on November 21, 2025
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Executive summary

Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is an ordained Baptist minister, longtime interfaith leader, and the president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance; he is also the great‑grandson of Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis and of theologian Walter Rauschenbusch [1] [2]. His career includes roles as founding/executive editor of HuffPost Religion, associate dean of religious life at Princeton, author and opinion writer, and host of the radio/podcast State of Belief [3] [4] [2].

1. Who he is and what he leads — a concise profile

Paul Brandeis Raushenbush currently serves as president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, an organization that frames its mission around protecting an inclusive vision of religious freedom and countering movements such as Christian nationalism, which he has publicly criticized [1] [5]. He is an ordained Baptist minister with a long record in interfaith work and public advocacy for civil rights, religious freedom, and democratic norms [2] [6].

2. Career highlights and institutional roles

Raushenbush has held senior roles in media and higher education: he was the founding and executive editor of HuffPost Religion (sometimes listed as senior religion editor), associate dean of religious life and the chapel at Princeton University, a senior adviser at Interfaith Youth Core/Interfaith America or Auburn Seminary in various listings, and has served as president of the Association of College and University Religious Affairs (ACURA) [3] [7] [4] [8]. He also hosted religious‑focused podcasts and radio shows, including HuffPost’s “All Together” and “State of Belief” in partnership with Religion News Service [4] [1].

3. Public voice and published work — activism through media and opinion

Raushenbush writes opinion essays and appears frequently in public fora on religion and politics; Religion News Service lists multiple opinion pieces by him on topics such as trans rights, Pride, and democratic concerns [9]. His commentary often links religious liberty to broader civic issues; Interfaith Alliance press releases quote him framing challenges like Supreme Court decisions and Christian nationalism as threats to religious freedom and democracy [5].

4. Biographical and family context that informs his work

Multiple bios emphasize Raushenbush’s interfaith roots: he is the great‑grandson of Louis D. Brandeis and of Walter Rauschenbush, a Social Gospel theologian — heritage frequently cited to explain his interest in law, social justice, and religion’s civic role [2] [6]. He lives in New York City with his husband, author Brad Gooch, and their two children, details noted in organizational profiles [1] [6].

5. How different outlets describe him — consistent themes and small discrepancies

Profiles across Interfaith Alliance, Parliament of the World’s Religions, Festival of Faiths, Georgetown’s Berkley Center, and others consistently present him as an interfaith leader and advocate for inclusive religious liberty; they repeat core roles (Interfaith Alliance CEO, ordained Baptist minister, former HuffPost editor) [1] [2] [10] [11]. Some bios emphasize different prior affiliations (e.g., Auburn Seminary, Interfaith Youth Core, or specific editorial titles), reflecting normal variation in résumé summaries rather than contradictory facts [7] [4].

6. What the available sources don’t cover or clarify

Available sources do not mention detailed timeline dates for each career move beyond selected positions, nor do they provide a complete bibliography or list of every media appearance (not found in current reporting). They also do not include independent critiques of his leadership or extensive reporting on internal Interfaith Alliance governance; most pieces are organizational bios or opinion pages that highlight achievements [1] [5] [9].

7. Why his profile matters now — stakes and perspectives

Raushenbush’s public framing links religious freedom to democratic health and reproductive and voting rights; Interfaith Alliance releases quote him tying those issues to recent Supreme Court decisions and the rise of Christian nationalism, signaling the organization’s policy priorities under his leadership [5]. Supporters view this as a defense of pluralism and civil rights, while opponents who prioritize different interpretations of religious liberty may disagree with his characterizations — those alternative perspectives are not detailed in the supplied sources [5] [9].

8. Bottom line and how to follow up

To understand his current priorities, read Interfaith Alliance statements and his recent opinion pieces at Religion News Service; organizational bios and festival/program listings provide useful background on his career and family heritage [5] [9] [10]. For critical or external evaluations of his leadership and influence, available sources do not provide substantive third‑party critiques — further reporting beyond these organizational and opinion sources would be needed (not found in current reporting).

Want to dive deeper?
Who is Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush and what organizations has he led?
What are Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush's major writings and theological views?
How has Paul Brandeis Raushenbush influenced faith-based social justice movements?
What is Paul Brandeis Raushenbush's background and family lineage?
Where has Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush appeared in media or public speaking engagements recently?