Race & Religion

Joe Biden’s family Bible anchors faith-infused inaugural events
(RNS) — Beyond the invocation and benediction at the inauguration itself, unofficial events will mostly be online and far different from the festivities of previous years.

This MLK Day, white evangelicals again have a choice to make on racial justice

Black churchgoers report powerlessness in politics, agency in Black congregations

What Andrew Young taught me about keeping King’s movement going
(RNS) — What we celebrate on Martin Luther King Day is not the overcoming, but the struggle.

Ahead of inauguration, faith leaders urge devotees in state capitols to take precautions
WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘We strongly encourage you to be attendant to all safety concerns for ministers and congregations,’ read a statement from the United Church of Christ.

Martin Luther King Jr. faith events continue in time of COVID-19 and Capitol chaos
(RNS) — Many online gatherings that mark King’s birthday and the holiday in his honor will apply his messages to the current crises the country is facing.

Moms of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and James Baldwin portrayed in new book
(RNS) — The book by Anna Malaika Tubbs about Alberta King, Louise Little and Berdis Baldwin provides details of their lives of faith, discipline and sacrifice.

How the Ebenezer Baptist Church has been a seat of Black power for generations in Atlanta
(The Conversation) — One cannot appreciate the importance of MLK Day without understanding the tradition which formed one of America’s most influential civil rights leaders.

LA clergy look to hold city officials responsible for allowing Sean Feucht’s Skid Row event
(RNS) — On Wednesday (Jan. 13), Clergy for Black Lives hosted a virtual news conference on Zoom to condemn the ‘white supremacist violence and heretical Christian prophecy’ in the nation’s capital and in downtown LA.

James Clyburn to propose designating ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ as the national hymn
(RNS) — The Democratic congressman from South Carolina said elevating the hymn — often described as the unofficial ‘Black national anthem’ — could be an act of healing.

For insurrectionists, a violent faith brewed from nationalism, conspiracies and Jesus
WASHINGTON (RNS) — As insurrectionists began the attack on the Capitol, a banner waved above the throng. It read: ‘Proud American Christian.’

Southern Baptist leaders meet after critical race theory document caused controversy
(RNS) — African American leaders and seminary presidents said they had an ‘honest and open conversation’ during the virtual meeting earlier in the week.

Pixar adviser and theologian Suzan Johnson Cook on how they came to define ‘soul’ in the film
(RNS) — ‘I’m a faith leader, so I wanted to make sure my definition wasn’t too strong, and (Pixar’s) definition wasn’t too weak,’ the minister and former ambassador said.

Truth over power: It is past time for the church to speak plainly about the election
(RNS) — The ongoing protest of the election is not about a search for truth; it is an attempt to shape truth to suit the desires of the powerful.

Catholic leaders, progressive and conservative, condemn the violence at the Capitol
VATICAN CITY (RNS) – ‘Those who resort to inflammatory rhetoric must accept some responsibility for inciting the increasing violence in our nation,’ said Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the archbishop of Washington.