James Hal Cone is one of the most well-known advocates of Black liberation theology. In 1969, Cone’s book Black Theology and Black Power articulated the distinctiveness of theology in the Black Church. More recently, he is the author of The Cross and the Lynching Tree, and he says that ” … an abiding faith in God is what enabled Black people to survive slavery.” He is a professor at the Union Theological Seminary in NYC. Anthony B. Pinn is a... Read more

by Edward J. BlumR3 Contributor Looks can kill, and looks can sell. Just ask two young men from Florida: Trayvon Martin and Tim Tebow. The media frenzies surrounding them put on display the power of looks and looking. When Barack Obama weighed in on the Martin case, he drew attention to physical appearance. “If Trayvon was my son,” the president intoned, “he’d look like Trayvon.” Presidential hopeful Rick Santorum spat in response. Obama was playing “the race card” and he wouldn’t have... Read more

Cona’ Marshall is in pursuit of a PhD in African American and African Studies specializing in Cultural Rhetorics at Michigan State University. She obtained a Master’s of Theological Studies and a certificate in Black Church Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Religious Studies and French. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on twitter @IAMMYHAIR23 Read more

*On Saturday March 24,2012, we celebrated the homegoing of Alex Heidelberg (on the left). Alex was a young, vibrant, smart and gifted young man who committed suicide. He was 19 years old. At the time, I had a lot to say, but at the same time, did not know what to say. God was gracious to me on that day and I thank God for God’s graciousness and mercy that allowed me to say something. I would also like to... Read more

by Engy Abdelkader Islam is often viewed as an inherently violent and intolerant world religion. This misconception is fueled in part by the miscreant deeds of some Muslims, particularly toward those of other faith beliefs. That conduct is then unfairly imputed to Islamic doctrine and coreligionists globally. The imputation is unfair because the individual Muslim’s action may not in fact be supported by informed readings of Islamic legal strictures, nor necessarily be representative of the 2.2 billion Muslims in the... Read more

By Kia GranberryRhetoric Race and Religion ContributorFollow her on Twitter @livelovekia I was one of the organizers of a very large prayer vigil for Trayvon Martin and the youth of the Mid-South. We did tons of press interviews for televised and print media…we were even on the radio. Not once, however, did any of us wear a hoodie. This was no accident. This was not because temperatures rose to almost 85 degrees some days in Memphis. This was not because... Read more

At first, the devout Muslims who gathered in a Washington, D.C., conference center seemed like they could have come from any mosque. There were women in headscarves and bearded men who quoted the Quran. But something was different. While mingling over hors d’oeuvres, they discussed how to change Islam’s future. A woman spoke about fighting terrorism; she had married outside the Islamic faith, which is forbidden for a Muslim woman. A Pakistani man mentioned his plans to meet friends for... Read more

From the official press release: United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities has announced the election of the Reverend Dr. Barbara A. Holmes of Memphis, Tennessee as its eighth president. The seminary’s Board of Trustees confirmed Holmes’ appointment Wednesday afternoon, after which the new president addressed the board and spoke to members of the faculty, staff, and students. Holmes will relocate to the Twin Cities and assume her duties in July. “The selection of Holmes signals the beginning of a... Read more

Picture this scene: A recently elected president announces that he will decline to place his hand on a Bible when taking the oath of office. When people object, he replies that he doesn’t believe in God, so it wouldn’t make much sense for him to go through the motions of a religious ritual when he does not share that religion’s beliefs. Chances are you think such a thing is unlikely. After all, the politician would never have gotten elected in... Read more

by Jamilah Lemieux There, I said it. Hate me now, but I won’t stop now. I understand that that the above sentiment is particularly controversial from a non-Christian. However, do understand that I am NOT challenging anyone’s religion. Despite my own views, I acknowledge that religion has done many powerful and transformative things across the globe and has sustained movements, people and storied institutions for which I have the utmost respect. Sure, it’s hurt many, many people as well, but... Read more