This Sunday, we're joined by several church leaders and religious thinkers as we explore how the religious is also political.
First, Sister Joi Ruth Orr, of Delaware Annual Conference Ministerial Institute of the AME Church, along with two other ministers pen an open letter to Newt Gingrich. Citing his inflammatory statements about poor children of color, "As a candidate vying for the Republican Presidential nomination, to suggest that poor children collectively lack a work ethic and drive for legal and productive work is entirely classist. Your national platform is no place for such irresponsible remarks. Our children deserve better than your degrading rhetoric."
As representatives of their congregation, Joi and her co-authors demand an answer.
Next, longtime Sunday Preach contributor, Darius Gray, reminds us of the long held but often forgotten tradition of Watch NIght and how a deep dive into post-slavery record revealed black family ties even as many black during and right after slavery were scattered across the country.
Last but not least, Monique Ruffin, continues her exploration into homophobia in the church and takes a deep look at Pastor Joel Osteen and his message.