Church Impacts Political Activism Among Blacks, Expert Says
MANHATTAN, Ky.
Religion has continued to be a salient social and cultural institution in the United States. Its impact stretches even to presidential elections.
Dr. Ryan Spohn, assistant professor of sociology at Kansas State University, said the importance of organized religion has been particularly pronounced for Black Americans, who tend to have higher levels of religious belief and church participation than other Americans.
“The Black church has traditionally played a crucial role in their lives by providing periodic sanctuary to its members forced to live in an oppressive and hostile society,” Spohn said.
Past research has indicated that the Black church facilitated political activism in the Black community in at least two important ways.
