Born out of the diverse initiatives and networks that followed the L.A. riots, CRCC has been connected to all types of religious communities, before “interfaith” was cool. Coalition of faith leaders came together to address the social divides and ills that led to the conflagrations in 1992.
All religious traditions engage in the public square, and they also have their unique rituals, beliefs and approaches to prayer. Moreover, there’s often disagreements among adherents within each religion about the best way to practice their tradition and engage in political and social issues. Explore trends within a wide variety of groups—from Islam to evangelicalism to religious “nones”—on their respective topic pages, or check out trends that cross groups, such as creativity and innovation or prayer and meditation.
Topics
- VideoAMCLI: Building a Dynamic National Network of American Muslim Leadership
CRCC in the NewsForward: Richard Flory on The Jerusalem Embassy CeremonyWhile the opening of the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem is a political victory for Trump, it is a religious victory for evangelicals. Trump appealed to this group of evangelicals – a …Topics: Catholics and Catholicism, Christians and Christianity, Evangelicals and Evangelicalism, Government and Religion, International Affairs and Policy, Megachurches, Political Attitudes and Values, Voting and Elections
CRCC in the NewsNBC: Richard Flory on Bringing Environmentalism to EvangelicalsThe thought of climate change as a major issue has often been dismissed by many white evangelicals. Oftentimes evangelicals see climate change running counter to their strict interpretations of theology. However, some …Topics: Christians and Christianity, Evangelicals and Evangelicalism, Political Attitudes and Values, Population Trends, Religious Beliefs and Rituals
CommentaryThe Poor People’s Campaign: Learning from the Global Fight Against Structural PovertyLast fall, I attended a high-energy mass meeting for the new Poor People’s Campaign. Part of a 15-state tour, the Los Angeles event rallied a racially mixed and enthusiastic crowd from the …Topics: Economic Inequality, Interfaith/Multifaith Movements, Political Attitudes and Values, Religious Leadership
CommentaryThe L.A. Decade: Religious Innovation in an Emerging Global CityThe following is a speech given at The Collaboratory, a gathering of Jewish leaders. When I was teaching at a Jewish day school for girls, one of my students approached me excited …Topics: Creativity and Innovation, Southern California- VideoWilshire Boulevard: A Tour of Religion in Los Angeles
CommentaryThe Cosby Case at Church: Why Pastors Should Address Sexual AssaultBill Cosby is back in court this week. This time, in Pittsburgh, his sexual assault case is framed against the backdrop of #MeToo, the movement raising awareness of sexual harassment, and #ChurchToo. …Topics: Black Church, Christians and Christianity, CMCCE, Gender, Religious Leadership, Violence
CRCC in the NewsThe OC Register: Reverend Cecil Murray on the 50th Anniversary of the Death of Martin Luther King Jr.April 4, 2018 marks the 50 year anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King in 1968. Cecil L. Murray, a faith-based leader and chair of the USC Cecil Murray Center for …Topics: Black Church, CMCCE, Political Attitudes and Values, Race and Culture, Violence- VideoMarch 27, 1994: “Turnips That Don’t Turn Up” – Rev. Cecil Murray
ArticleLatter-day Zen: The Mormon Man Bringing Meditation to HomeThis article originally appeared in Tricycle Magazine. The first thing that I noticed on my visit to Thomas McConkie’s apartment near the University of Utah was a small wooden tan—the raised platform …Topics: Buddhists and Buddhism, Christians and Christianity, Creativity and Innovation,
CRCC in the NewsBilly Graham Coverage: Richard Flory on Evangelical PoliticsThe death of “America’s pastor” Billy Graham at age 99 has brought reflection on the politics of American evangelicalism. Richard Flory, CRCC’s senior director of research and evaluation, spoke with FiveThirtyEight and Congressional Quarterly …Topics: Evangelicals and Evangelicalism, Religious Leadership
CRCC in the NewsBilly Graham Coverage: Richard Flory on the Business of EvangelicalismBilly Graham left a legacy in the evangelical world not only in terms of his preaching, but also in terms of the organizations he founded or inspired. Following his death on February …Topics: Evangelicals and Evangelicalism, Religious Leadership
“Students in mindfulness classes may think they’re seeking therapeutic answers from secularized Eastern traditions, but their practices are authentically American too. Perhaps it’s this implicit knowledge that makes mindfulness so enchanting to spiritual seekers today.”
—Nalika Gajaweera,
“Mindfulness is as American as Apple Pie”
CRCC Experts
To schedule an interview with one of our experts, please contact CRCC:
crcc@usc.edu or 213-743-1611
Sumaya AbubakerProject ManagerSumaya Abubaker manages leadership and civic engagement programming for minority faith communities.
Tobin BelzerContributing FellowTobin Belzer is an applied sociologist who develops research and program evaluations to support the work of non-profit organizations and philanthropists.
Brad ChristersonContributing FellowBrad Christenson is a sociologist who has written extensively in the areas of religion, race, ethnicity, and globalization.
Samuel ChuContributing FellowSamuel Chu is a seasoned community organizer and strategist who works at the intersection of faith and public policy.
Hebah FarragAssistant Director of ResearchHebah Farrag manages the center’s research and evaluation projects while engaging in research focused on religion, social change and new spiritualties.
Richard FlorySenior Director of Research and EvaluationRichard Flory is a sociologist whose work focuses on religion and urban life, religious and cultural change, and youth and young adults.
Nalika GajaweeraResearch AssociateNalika Gajaweera is a cultural anthropologist specialized in Buddhism, transnationalism and ethics, with an area expertise in South Asia.
Rev. Frank Jackson, Jr.Contributing FellowRev. Frank Jackson, Jr. couples his experience in business and investment with his passion for community development.
Andrew JohnsonContributing FellowAndrew Johnson is a sociologist who studies religion on the margins of society, with specific interests in religious practice inside of prison, Latin American Pentecostalism and religion in the city.
Brie LoskotaExecutive DirectorBrie Loskota researches how religions change and make change in the world, and works to build the capacity of religious communities around the globe.
Juan MartínezContributing FellowJuan Martinez studies the history of Latino Protestantism, Latino Protestant identity and transnational mission among U.S. Latinos.
Tarra McNallyAssistant Director of EvaluationTarra McNally is an anthropologist specializing in evaluation and global health.
Lori MeeksLori Meeks studies the social and cultural history of Buddhism in Japan, particularly related to the role of women.
Donald E. MillerDirector of Strategic InitiativesDonald Miller focuses on global religious trends, genocides of the 20th century, and the role of religious NGOs in addressing issues of moral concern.
Jon MillerSenior Research AssociateJon Miller is a comparative sociologist and director of the international mission photography archive.