Black Protestants
Anti-trans laws hurt children. Jesus had plenty to say about that.
By Candice Marie Benbow — April 18, 2023
(RNS) — We cannot call ourselves followers of the one who so boldly said ‘let the children come,’ when we pass laws that push them away.
For embattled TN lawmakers, liberal faith movements were a training ground
By Jack Jenkins — April 17, 2023
(RNS) — '(I) grew up in the moral movement with Rev. Barber and the Poor People's Campaign,' said Rep. Justin Jones.
Black church, NHL’s Penguins reach historic land-use accord
By Peter Smith — April 17, 2023
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The battle is a microcosm of a larger one over the legacy of the 1950s project, in which leaders in the Black community have long sought redress from the powers that be in Pittsburgh’s political, business and sports realms.
Donald Lawrence: On taking the legacy of gospel music mentor Edwin Hawkins abroad
By Adelle M. Banks — April 14, 2023
(RNS) — ‘A lot of times people make gospel music so much about religion, they forget about the art of it,’ Lawrence said.
‘Healing the healers’ with the restorative wisdom of the Black church
By Joshua Stanton and Benjamin Spratt — April 11, 2023
(RNS) — The Rev. Jennifer Bailey believes Americans’ divisions are experienced as grief and loss, and looks to provide rituals to help us heal.
After biblical protestations, expelled Tennessee lawmakers find support among clergy
By Bob Smietana and Jack Jenkins — April 7, 2023
(RNS) — On Friday, the Poor People's Campaign announced a clergy-led protest to be held in Nashville later this month.
Half online, half in person: The state of Black churches now and possibly on Easter
By Adelle M. Banks — April 6, 2023
(RNS) — As Easter approaches, leaders of Black denominations use cautious language even as they hope for a resurrection in the numbers of people who return to the pews.
MLK’s vision of social justice included religious pluralism – a house of many faiths
By Roy Whitaker — April 5, 2023
(The Conversation) — Religious pluralism and social justice were at the core of King’s campaigns – a vision shaped by influences as diverse as Gandhi, the Black church, Greek classics and Buddhism.
How Black clergy are reframing approach on abortion with congregations
By Amethyst Holmes — April 4, 2023
(RNS) — Even as some of the largest Black denominations oppose abortion, Black clergy face the reality that their congregations are disproportionately affected by lack of access to reproductive health services.
From Senate subcommittee to Easter sermon: Raphael Warnock on life as a pastor-politician
By Adelle M. Banks — March 31, 2023
WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘My life is a sermon, that I get to preach on Sunday and embody and make come alive in my work in the Senate,’ said the Georgia senator.
Study: Religious attendance dips slightly after pandemic
By Yonat Shimron — March 28, 2023
(RNS) — The study found the share of U.S. adults who generally say they attend religious services at least once a month dropped from 33% in 2019, before the COVID-19 outbreak, to 30% in 2022.
Judge rules immigration officials violated pastor’s religious freedom rights
By Jack Jenkins — March 27, 2023
(RNS) — 'The government’s approach — stalling, gaslighting, even lying — was entirely unconvincing to the court, and I am thrilled for the vindication,' said the Rev. Kaji Douša.
Public theologian Yolanda Pierce named next dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School
By Adelle M. Banks — March 24, 2023
(RNS) — ‘I look forward to building on the strong foundation that Emilie Townes and others have established to form this treasured community,’ Pierce said.
Practicing prophetic grief
By Otis Moss III — March 23, 2023
(RNS) — When we grieve pathetically, we may come to imitate our oppressors.
The women who stood with Martin Luther King Jr. and sustained a movement for social change
By Vicki Crawford — March 14, 2023
(The Conversation) — From family to grassroots activists, these are some of the women who shaped MLK’s vision and campaigns.
