RNS Morning Report: Racism a Public Health Crisis; Neighborhood Introspection; UMC Calls for Prayer

People demonstrate for racism to be deemed a public health crisis in San Bernardino County, California, June 2, 2020. Photo courtesy of Inland Congregations United for Change

Need to know: Thursday, June 11, 2020

Faith-driven activism is pushing this California county to declare racism a public health crisis

This effort emerged the last week of May, days after George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police during an arrest. 

Floyd’s death spurs debate on how immigrants should run stores in black neighborhoods

Muslim communities are debating the ethical duties of immigrants who own businesses in black neighborhoods, from using caution in calling police to creating healthier food ecosystems.

United Methodist bishops affirm protests, call members to pray twice daily for 8 minutes, 46 seconds

Bishops encouraged United Methodists to act to end racism by spending 8 minutes and 46 seconds in prayer at 8:46 a.m. and 8:46 p.m. each day for at least the next 30 days, among other things.

Retire gavel named for slaveholder, Southern Baptist President J.D. Greear says

Greear said he had felt uneasy using the gavel at the 2019 meeting in Birmingham, Alabama.

‘Safetyism’ only means words have real consequences

Better that the Times, that any paper, recognize its own subjectivity, take a clear editorial stand and recognize itself as an inherently ideological vector, writes Tara Isabella Burton.

After George Floyd’s death, a groundswell of religious activism

George Floyd’s death has triggered a groundswell of outrage and activism by religious leaders and faith-based groups across the United States, reminiscent of what occurred during the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

 


 

Latest news from RNS

‘He is going to change the world’: Funeral held for Floyd

HOUSTON (AP) — George Floyd was fondly remembered as “Big Floyd” at a Tuesday funeral in Houston with over 500 attendees.

Trump faith advisers say the president did the right thing by visiting church

‘It is absolutely absurd to cast that blame directly on the President of the United States,’ said Johnnie Moore.

Southern Baptist President J.D. Greear says ‘black lives matter’

Greear also called for new clergy to be trained in preventing sex abuse and he challenged Southern Baptists not to be divided by the U.S. presidential election.

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What movies by and about African Americans can teach us in this hard present

(RNS) — Two films that show how Hollywood has depicted race relations might help us wrestle with our current moment.

Enneagram 201: It’s not just about knowing your type

"If there’s any aspect of ourselves that we do not give permission to belong, then the truth is that no part of ourselves can fully belong," says Enneagram teacher Christopher Heuertz.

Are religious communities reviving the revival? Outdoor worship is a US tradition

(RNS) — While white evangelicals have been some of the more vocal protesters of government restrictions on houses of worship during coronavirus, they have a long history of embracing outdoor worship.