Archive
OC Register: Police and Community Will March Together in August
UPDATE: OC Register columnist David Whiting wrote about the OC Solidarity March led by Pastor Mark Whitlock and Murray Center alum Charles Dorsey. Over the years, I’ve witnessed dozens of marches – some for peace, …
Manny Pacquiao, Championship Boxer, Has a New Opponent: Philippine Poverty
This article originally appeared in Christianity Today. It is available in full behind a paywall on their site. A political candidate was recently elected who is a bigger celebrity than Donald Trump, …
L.A. Focus News Profiles Rev. Najuma Smith-Pollard
L.A. Focus News interviewed Rev. Najuma Smith-Pollard, program manager of the USC Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement, for its “pastor profile.” Smith-Pollard shared the story of how she found her calling …
Doing It All For Her: A Lesbian Muslim Hip-Hop Singer on Art and Activism
This article originally appeared on The Huffington Post. “I could’ve been like the dude in Orlando,” said Jaheda Choudhury-Potter, a self-described “geeky dark-skinned lesbian Muslim” who fronts a queer hip-hop band in …
OC Register & Jewish Journal: Voices for Peace After Shootings
With tensions high after police shootings and the shootings of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, the leaders of the the Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement continue to be voices of …
What’s a Preacher to Say in the Wake of Tragedy?
If you were anywhere near a radio, TV to catch the news this past week, you know that July 5-8 was a difficult and emotionally charged week. We saw footage of not …
L.A. Daily News: As Ramadan Ends, Local Muslims Reflect on how Violence Hung over a Holy Month of Peace
CRCC’s Executive Director Brie Loskota was quoted in an article about the end of Ramadan in The Los Angeles Daily News. The article marks the somber reflections of the Muslim American community …
KPCC Take Two: Raising Children in a Time of Religious Change
KPCC’s Take Two took on the question of how parents can introduce their kids to religion and spirituality. CRCC Executive Director Brie Loskota offered her expertise in both religion and parenting for …
Dobson’s Baby: Trump’s Baptism at the Evangelical-Washing Font
This post originally appeared in Religion Dispatches. Donald Trump is now a “baby Christian“? Now that Trump has become the presumptive GOP nominee—the old guard has stepped forward to engage in an ancient …
FEMA Releases Religious Literacy Course
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released a groundbreaking online training course to help disaster and emergency management professionals and volunteers work with religious communities. The web-based course, IS-505: Religious and Cultural …
The Welterweight Church Usher
creatThis post originally appeared on Huffington Post. Shawn Porter is not the only one skipping meals in preparation for his WBA welterweight title bout this Saturday night at the Barclays Center. In …
What’s an Evangelical These Days? Trump’s Advisors Point to Divisions
Is Donald Trump the friend or foe of evangelicals? Some argue that “real” evangelicals aren’t supporting Trump, while others attempt to explain why evangelicalism is susceptible to candidates like Trump. By meeting with more than 900 …
A Time for Moral Reflection – The Silver Lining After the Orlando Shooting
In the horror of the Orlando massacre, there may be a silver lining. This event, as well as the killings at Emanuel Church in Charleston one year ago and other national atrocities, …
From Louisville to Orlando: Muslim Americans in a Time of Hope and Crisis
Many of my American Muslim friends from all across the U.S. traveled to Louisville a few weekends ago to pay their respects and to reflect on the life of Muhammad Ali. They …
KPCC Take Two: Brie Loskota on Making Sense of Tragedy
With vigils being held throughout the country after the massacre at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, KPCC asked Brie Loskota to address the urge to come together after national tragedies. Here are a …
After Charleston: Race and Religion in America
The racially motivated shooting at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on June 17, 2015 was a wake-up call for Christians across the United States that racism still affects the church. This …
Muslim Voices Tell Trump ‘What’s Going On’ With Muslims in The Atlantic
CRCC Contributing Fellow Rhonda Roumani is one of six Muslim voices responding to Donald Trump’s proposed ban on Muslims coming into the United States in The Atlantic. Here is her contribution: If …
Resources and Tools for Religious Literacy and Competency
Building religious literacy and competency is an ongoing process, with a wealth of self-directed study resources as well as classroom training available. A good starting point is taking a religious literacy self-assessment …
Creating an Engagement Plan
This tip sheet explains the LEADER Process for Creating an Engagement Plan. Step 1: Learn the disaster’s impact Step 2: Educate yourself on local faith communities Step 3: Assess your religious literacy …
Tips Sheets on Engaging Faith Communities in Disasters
People of faith, congregations and faith-based organization provide essential relief and recovery functions after disasters. It is essential for government personnel and institutions, therefore, to understand the potential contributions and unique needs …