While many individuals are rightfully placing primacy on how American political discourse still obscures the experiences and epistemological framework of black women such as First Lady Michelle Obama, others wish to centralize the role that religious discourse about the President plays in advancing racist rhetoric. Although such individuals are astute and perhaps accurate in observing that accusing Obama of being Muslim constitutes the sort of Islamophobia that is rife with both racism and an aversion to religious plurality, the aforementioned... Read more

DAVID GREEN, who built a family picture-framing business into a 42-state chain of arts and crafts stores, prides himself on being the model of a conscientious Christian capitalist. His 525 Hobby Lobby stores forsake Sunday profits to give employees their biblical day of rest. The company donates to Christian counseling services and buys holiday ads that promote the faith in all its markets. Hobby Lobby has been known to stick decals over Botticelli’s naked Venus in art books it sells. ... Read more

From a Man to a Monument  We here at Rhetoric Race and Religion are collecting reflections that celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We are interested in collecting reflections that examine King, the Day itself or any aspect of the legacy of King. If you would like to submit one, please send it to [email protected]. Enjoy. 1. The War on Truth and Unity2. Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.3. A New Climate Vision on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday4. Martin... Read more

by Brian Foulks R3 Contributor *First posted on Syncopated Hustle  I struggle to write many times the very feelings that plague me mentally and spiritually. It is at the expense of being labeled that oftentimes I ruminate instead of write. The constant juxtaposing through worldviews can lead to intense levels of ambiguity for others but a since of clarity for me. Let me try to explain. My burgeoning Pan-African worldview is reshaping my perspective through a theological lens. My warped reformed theology... Read more

Join the contributors of Rhetoric Race and Religion as we live tweet during the State of the Union Address on Tuesday February 12th starting at 9:00pmEST. Join in the discussion by using #r3state for the hashtag. Follow us on twitter at @rhetoricracerel Read more

Does religious freedom entitle secular business owners to exemptions from generally applicable laws that offend their religious beliefs? In a theocracy, the obvious answer is “yes” (or the question is moot) for business owners whose beliefs conform to the beliefs of officialdom. In a secular democracy, the obvious answer is “no” or “not in general.” We would have few generally applicable laws if individuals could declare themselves and their commercial enterprises exempt from any laws that offended their religious beliefs.... Read more

Stephen Prothero is one of America’s leading scholars on the relationship between religion and politics. I have long agreed with him that Americans suffer from a religious illiteracy – and other forms of cultural illiteracy, of the kind that invites ideologues to prosper. There is a moral obligation to be intelligent, and this requires anyone really interested in American history to be religiously literate or else they will greatly misunderstand the American story. And, so, I eagerly read his new essay... Read more

I continue to be amazed that in the year 2013 our nation continues to grapple with the issue of access to contraceptives, a matter most advanced nations laid to rest long ago. On Friday, the Obama administration made another attempt to address the concerns of conservative religious employers who say they don’t want to provide birth control for employees. Once again, it’s not going well. A little history: When the Affordable Care Act was passed, it contained provisions allowing the administration... Read more

From www.whitehouse.gov Thank you very much.  Please have a seat. Mark, thank you for that introduction.  I thought he was going to talk about my gray hair.  (Laughter.)  It is true that my daughters are gorgeous.  (Laughter.)  That’s because my wife is gorgeous.  (Applause.)  And my goal is to improve my gene pool. To Mark and Jeff, thank you for your wonderful work on behalf of this breakfast.  To all of those who worked so hard to put this together;... Read more