Religion and Belief

COMMENTARY
The exterior view of the Bethel African American Methodist Episcopal Church at 125 S. 6th St. in Philadelphia. Breton, William L., circa 1773-1855 Artist via the Library of Congress, World Digital Library.

A brief history of the Black church’s diversity, and its vital role in our politics | Analysis

BY: - February 6, 2023

The image of the Black church as the nation's moral conscience has always been a complicated matter

Philadelphia City Hall

Who are Philly’s influential Black clergy backing in the city’s mayoral race?

BY: - January 28, 2023

An announcement is expected this spring, a senior leader said this week

COMMENTARY
(Capital-Star photo by Amanda Berg)

Faith in choice: Pa. Clergy talk about the intersection of abortion rights and faith | Amanda Berg

BY: - January 11, 2023

When does life begin? Why do we assume believers are anti-abortion? What can God teach us about the issue?

COMMENTARY

On Pope Benedict, science, faith, and his legacy | Bruce Ledewitz

BY: - January 10, 2023

The most conservative of popes showed a surprising openness to dialogue.

COMMENTARY

A pastor comes to terms with the church’s idols of Trump, money and power | Opinion

BY: - December 30, 2022

Biblical Christianity — forged in the cross, humility, and poverty — has been at war with a co-opted Christianity that forgets Jesus’s gospel of liberation.

COMMENTARY

Do all dogs go to Heaven? How our secular culture views death | Bruce Ledewitz

BY: - December 28, 2022

Americans seem to want the promises and benefits of religion without the rigors of belief and faith.

COMMENTARY

‘Untraditional’ Hanukkah celebrations are often full of traditions for Jews of color | Opinion

BY: - December 20, 2022

Jews of color and non-Ashkenazi Jews have been bringing attention to new Hanukkah traditions that celebrate the diversity of Judaism in the U.S.

Washington Christian Outreach has been spreading the gospel by helping to fulfill the material and spiritual needs of the less fortunate for more than four decades (Herald-Standard photo).

Washington Christian Outreach serves the needy | Helping the Helpers

BY: - December 6, 2022

'Anybody can come in and get a hot meal,' assistant director Debbie Boardley said.

COMMENTARY
White nationalism advocates for a white nation and the protection of white interests. (Photo illustration by Laina Stebbins)

Were the 2022 midterm results a rejection of white Christian Nationalism?

BY: - November 11, 2022

My answer is an enthusiastic maybe, a pastor and advocate says.

COMMENTARY
CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM ART

‘Christian nationalism’ talk is getting a lot louder. But what does it really mean? | Analysis

BY: - November 3, 2022

Pa. Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano has not claimed the label -- but he has embraced its tenets.

Rev. Richard Freeman stands in front of Resurrection Baptist Church in Braddock CP Photo: Jared Wickerham

In PGH, faith leaders reject rising Christian nationalism movement

BY: - November 2, 2022

'This isn’t new to me. It’s just louder than I’ve seen it in a long, long, long time,' the Rev. Richard Freeman said.

COMMENTARY

New poll is a roadmap to Republican grievance in 2022 | Wednesday Morning Coffee

BY: - November 2, 2022

A new poll provides an eye-opening glimpse into the values and motivations of the modern Republican Party, and the cultural and political forces that will drive the party faithful to the polls on Nov. 8. The latest American Values poll by the Public Religion Research Institute also zooms in on the views of white evangelical Protestants who backed former President […]