Abstract:
The 2012 Elections have shown that some black megachurches are increasingly participating in “morality politics”. This is a relatively new occurrence for the “black church.” While there are traditional strands of social conservatism in black churches, typically this conservatism has not been a source of political mobilization. However, in 2012 several high profile black megachurch pastors were instrumental in getting the Civil Marriage Protection Act (legislation passed by state legislature in March 2012 legalizing same sex marriage in Maryland) placed on the Maryland ballot in November (Question 6) as a veto referendum, so that voters will decide whether to allow same sex marriage in the state. “Political” or “activist” black churches and ministers are typically mobilized around politically progressive issues, and their allies are typically other progressive or civil rights groups. Therefore, the same-sex marriage debate in Maryland can be understood as a collision of “values” and “interests” for a number of black church communities.
Bio:
Tamelyn Tucker-Worgs is Associate Professor of Political Science and Co-Director of the African American Studies Program at Hood College. Professor Tucker-Worgs specializes in American politics, race and politics, African American religion, public policy, gender and politics, and urban politics. Her work is interdisciplinary and her courses include the Politics of the Black Church, Black Theology, African American Politics, and Women and Politics. Her current research focuses on the black megachurch phenomenon and faith-based community development. Her publications focus on the black church and politics, and she is the author of The Black Megachurch: Theology, Gender, and the Politics of Public Engagement (Baylor University Press, 2011).
Dr. Tucker-Worgs will meet informally with students who have an interest in research on religion and politics at 11:00 a.m. in 286A University Hall. Refreshments will be served. Additionally, a book signing will also be held following the lecture.
Presented by the Department of Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies.
Sponsored by the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, the Center for the Study of Religion, the Department of African American and African Studies, and the Department of Comparative Studies.