“Jesus Feminist: Exploring God’s Radical Notion that Women are People, Too.” My initial reaction to that title was “Well yeah… Like we been sayin.” Because in most mainline protestant circles, we have been HELLA sayin. For like, 100 years. Don’t get me wrong, I was glad to see this book—an apologetic for empowering women leaders in the church—emerge in the evangelical circle, because, you know, ‘those people’ sure need to read it. But I didn’t really expect to find anything... Read more

By Elizabeth F. Desnoyers-Colas R3 Contributor As an educator, one of my greatest joys is working with full time first year students, helping to guide them through the initially bumpy waters of academe. Currently my work with first year students at my institution centers on serving as the Faculty Coordinator for 15 student African American males who are enrolled in the the Men Of Vision and Excellence (M.O.V.E.) program. M.O.V.E is a multifaceted support program for African-American males entering Armstrong as... Read more

by Peter GathjeR3 Contributor *First posted at the Radical Hospitality BlogI was going to write today about Loeb Properties and their decision to festoon the businesses in Overton Square with “No Panhandling” signs.  I am angry and disappointed by this decision, and I don’t believe the corporate-speak that promises that panhandlers will be directed to helpful services and not be arrested or otherwise hassled.  I will continue to boycott all the businesses in Overton Square until the signs come down.  This... Read more

Having started his preaching ministry in the 1970s in the Church of God in Christ, Darren Elzie is now a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Memphis and a preacher in the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee. Called to the work of preaching and teaching in the church and in the world, Darren is active in adult Christian education at St. John’s and also works as an Instructor in English at the University of Memphis. Concurrently, he is beginning the... Read more

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we here at R3 celebrate our women contributors. Throughout the month, we will highlight their submissions. Please enjoy. Arlene Sanchez-Walsh   Candice Benbow   Carol Howard Merritt  Cona’ Marshall Crystal St. Marie Lewis Cynthia NeilsenDelphine Rogers Newsum Ebony A. Utley Elizabeth F. Desnoyers-Colas Giovanni Neal (Blame Girl) Ifeoma Ofulue Joy Warren Kamilah Hall Sharp Kia Granberry Kimberly Peeler-Ringer Laura PolkMonica A. Coleman Nadolyn Dunigan Paula Penn-Nabrit Robyn Henderson-Espinoza Sharon Lauricella Sonya N. Woods Stacy Dandridge Read more

Having failed in their efforts to stem the legalization of same-sex marriages, leaders of the religious right have now fastened on legislation that will discriminate against gays and lesbians by allowing businesses to claim “religious objections” to serving same-sex couples. In so doing, the religious right is reclaiming the discriminatory practices that surrounded its emergence as a political movement in the 1970s. On Feb. 20, the Arizona Legislature approved a bill, S.B. 1062, that would have allowed business owners to... Read more

I think religion should be taught in college. I’m not talking about “religious studies,” that is, the study of the phenomenon of religion. I’m talking about having imams, priests, pastors, rabbis, and other clerics teach the practice of their faiths. In college classrooms. To college students. For credit. I think religion should be taught in college because I believe it can help save floundering undergraduates. I’m not talking about “saving” them in Christian sense. I’m talking about teaching them how... Read more

I launched a conversation about depression a few months ago asking this question: What if it’s not depression, as we’ve come to think of it, but rather a sign of our profound unhappiness and dissatisfaction? The question demands we get honest. Observing my own life, these are some of the things I’ve discovered to be true for me: I don’t enjoy cooking, I’d rather be brewing words on the page; I love good company and great conversation but I’m not interested... Read more

In 2007, former Morehouse College President Robert Michael Franklin wrote that“one of the challenges ahead of the African-American community is the preparation of public theologians for church and society.” Today, some 7 years later, this still rings true. Those of us within the so-called African-American church can boast of billions in collected contributions, millions of adherents, thousands of church buildings, hundreds of mega congregations and countless spirit filled services. Yet, our collective public theological and intellectual witness remains faint and feeble,... Read more

Without a doubt, it is a new day for spirituality in our world. In the popularity contest of modern life, it is religion which can’t get a date for the prom. More and more, people are declaring themselves “spiritual but not religious,” and it is both a problem and progress for us. The problem with being “spiritual but not religious” is that it is a dead-end for the spiritual seeker. Without the positive “tools” of religion, it can only describe... Read more