After tackling the faiths of George W. Bush and Barack Obama, conservative Evangelical writer Stephen Mansfield has moved on to a new subject: Mormonism. Whispers obtained a preview copy of Mansfield’s “The Mormonizing of America,” out June 26, which refers to powerful Mormons like Glenn Beck, Harry Reid and yes, Mitt Romney, as part of the “Mormon Machine.” Mansfield spends much of the book explaining why Mormons have achieved the “stunning level of influence” they have today. In many ways,... Read more

In a recent article written in Charisma, a popular magazine targeting Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians, Christian Broadcasting Network correspondent David Brody asserts that the Tea Party Movement may very well be sparking a new Great Awakening in America. Brody points out that while the Tea Party started with a message that was focused more on economic issues and put social issues in the back seat, conservative Christians have been joining the movement in large numbers and strengthening its impact on... Read more

Red State Religion: Faith and Politics in America’s Heartlandby Robert WuthnowPrinceton University Press, 2012 Robert Wuthnow is the Gerhard R. Andlinger ’52 Professor of Sociology and the Director of the Center for the Study of Religion at Princeton University. He also serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of Religion & Politics. A prolific scholar, Wuthnow has written extensively on religion, culture, and civil society. From global Christianity to religious diversity, from small town America to fear of terrorism, Wuthnow’s research... Read more

Minister Reggie White is from Detroit, Michigan and is completing his studies in the Master of Divinity program at Howard University School of Divinity. He was licensed to minister the gospel by Rev. Dr. Charles G. Adams in 2009. He is currently an educator at Maya Angelou Public Charter School in Washington, DC, where he teaches Science and Mathematics. This year, Min. White began teaching a business course which unites inner city students with an array of professionals from metro-... Read more

In its ongoing efforts to examine the intersections between rhetoric, race, and religion, Memphis Theological Seminary along with the Dr. James L. Netters Professorship, will offer its first Rhetoric Race and Religion Institute from May 21-June 29. Below are the classes and dates for the Institute. All classes are one-week intensives from 9am-5pm Monday-Friday). For more information, please email Dr. Andre E. Johnson at [email protected] Rhetoric of Race (May 28-June 1, 2012)Dr. Andre E. Johnson          ... Read more

The tragic killing of Trayvon Martin has sparked world wide interest. We here at Rhetoric Race and Religion thought we would collect some of the editorials and essays associated with this tragedy. We ask that if you come across some articles please share them with us on our Facebook page. Enjoy. 1. The Hoodie Cover Up2. For the Mother of Trayvon Martin3. The Lamb That Was Slain: The Killing of Trayvon Martin4. Dear Trayvon…You Will Not be Forgotten5. No Apologizes:... Read more

by Edward BlumR3 Contributor By drawing attention to the Time list of “influential” evangelicals and John Turner’s essay, I’m not trying to say that evangelical scholarship is racist. I’m also not trying to say that African Americans should want to be identified as “evangelical” or necessarily included in that camp. I’m also not saying that we all need to have “additive” history where we merely add a person of color or a woman to make our stories better (would adding... Read more

Given the undeniable impact of political affairs upon religious matters and of religion upon such political matters as elections, marriage equality, reproductive rights, war, healthcare determinations, ethnic violence, economic rights—to name but a few of many—we at the JIRD believe it is time to dedicate a special issue to the topic of Religion and Politics. We ask that you share with us your critical reflections for our eleventh issue, due to be released in the late fall of 2012. Among... Read more

by Stephen Angell and Leigh Eason Recent weeks have seen history-making collaborations among leaders of the African American and LGBT equality movements. In May, the national board of the NAACP endorsed marriage equality for same-sex couples, shortly after President Obama did the same. This month, LGBT leaders joined the NAACP and others in New York City to call for an end to the police department’s “stop and frisk” policy, which has targeted mostly African Americans and Latinos. “In the last... Read more

by Lisa Miller Americans believe there’s too much religion talk in the public sphere, and these days, it’s especially easy to be cynical. Scratch the surface of any passionately held faith-based position between April and November of an election year, and find a political agenda. That’s because issues like gay marriage and religious liberty motivate voters in the right and left base who might otherwise be lackadaisical or unmoved by their choice of candidates. Too often politically motivated religious leaders... Read more