Race & Religion
Historic sermon by Gina Stewart at joint Black Baptist meeting draws cheers, controversy
By Adelle M. Banks — January 30, 2024
(RNS) — After many in the room cheered her on and stood as she preached, the session featuring her sermon temporarily disappeared from the National Baptist Convention U.S.A. Inc.’s Facebook page.
How the word ‘voodoo’ became a racial slur
By Danielle N. Boaz — January 24, 2024
(The Conversation) — Shows, movies and day-to-day language promote myths about voodoo that reinforce more than a century of stereotypes and discrimination, writes a scholar of Africana studies.
William Barber on recruiting low-wage voters, Biden’s record on poverty
By Kathryn Post — January 19, 2024
(RNS) — 'If you leave this many people in poverty and low wealth, you open up the door for demagogues and people who will use people’s fears and hurts against them,' said the Rev. William Barber.
MLK summit for Gaza highlighted historic ties between civil rights and Palestinian liberation
By Ben Norquist — January 17, 2024
CHICAGO (RNS) — Civil rights icon Jesse Jackson and his longtime friend and collaborator James Zogby helped convene the gathering of nearly 2,000 faith leaders over MLK weekend.
Dozens of Black churches receive total of $4 million for historic preservation
By Adelle M. Banks — January 15, 2024
(RNS) — This year’s grants, which range from $50,000 to $200,000, will allow congregations to address issues such as mold contamination, demolition, water filtration and deferred maintenance.
Dealing with racism in the Book of Mormon
By Jana Riess — January 12, 2024
(RNS) — The Book of Mormon could teach us some hard truths about racism if we're brave enough to listen, say co-authors Fatimah Salleh and Margaret Olsen Hemming.
Blacks and Jews: Shame, pride and the Curse of Canaan
By Joshua Hammerman — January 11, 2024
(RNS) — We share the heritage of the Bible, which has been used to inspire and at times to subjugate both groups.
Biden calls out ‘poison’ of white supremacy in address at Mother Emanuel in S.C.
By Adelle M. Banks — January 8, 2024
(RNS) — Biden’s remarks were interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters shouting for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. In return, people in the pews started calling out “Four More Years.”
Biden to visit Mother Emanuel AME Church as South Carolina primaries approach
By Adelle M. Banks — January 5, 2024
(RNS) — ‘I would hope and pray that the community comes and hears and gets excited, gets energized about the 2024 election,’ said the church’s pastor.
Pandemic boosted resilience, hurt financial health of Black churches, says report
By Adelle M. Banks — January 4, 2024
(RNS) — A new report highlights the challenges faced by Black and multiracial congregations, as well as their resilience, in the wake of COVID-19.
Black church coalition names reparations, voting, health equity among priorities
By Adelle M. Banks — December 14, 2023
(RNS) — ‘There are so many pressing issues, from the future of COVID-19 and mental health to gun violence and voting rights, that must be addressed,’ said CNBC Chairman W. Franklyn Richardson.
The urgent need for a truth and healing commission on Indian boarding schools
By Bridget Moix — November 15, 2023
(RNS) — As a Quaker, I find it painful to face our history of participation in these schools. But we cannot live our faith with integrity if we do not.
Abortion vote in Ohio pushes ‘pro-life pro-choice’ Black clergy to take a side
By Kathryn Post — November 6, 2023
(RNS) — For some clergy, the fall of Roe v. Wade has motivated them to speak out on abortion for the first time.
Documentary on Black millennials depicts wide range of religion, rebellion
By Adelle M. Banks — October 24, 2023
(RNS) — ‘We show the pluralistic nature of the African American religious experience,’ said creator Teddy Reeves, ‘from those who are of some formal faith tradition to those who are not.’
In new book, James Baldwin emerges as a prophet for our time
By Yonat Shimron — October 12, 2023
(RNS) — Greg Garrett, a professor at Baylor University, wants to introduce a new generation of readers to the writer of short stories, novels and plays who believed America can do better.
