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
CommentaryCan Religion Help Survivors Regain Their Humanity? A Reflection on the Rwandan GenocideThe following article originally appear in Tui Motu InterIslands Magazine, a New Zealand publication. One of the first survivors that I interviewed in Rwanda after the 1994 genocide told me that his …Topics: Christians and Christianity, Faith-Based Organizations, Genocide, Religious Leadership, Sub-Saharan Africa, Violence
ArticleFachruddin Mangunjaya: Fusing Faith, Education, and EnvironmentalismThis article was originally published in Global Landscapes Forum, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. When Fachruddin Mangunjaya was researching his master’s dissertation in 2006 on attitudes toward …Topics: Asia, Engaged Spirituality, Environment, Muslims and Islam, Spiritual Exemplars
ReportWhen What You Do Is Who You Are: The Intersection of Jewish Organizational Culture and Identity“By the time Shabbat comes around, I don’t want to see another Jew or think about anything Jewish.” I have heard variations on that statement countless times over the years that I …Topics: Faith-Based Organizations, Jews and Judaism, weforum
ReportReimagining Impact: An Evaluation of the Avanath/CORCDC PartnershipThis study examines the social impact of community service organizations that are affiliated with church groups in Southern California. In our work with many such faith-based groups, we have found that, while …Topics: Black Church, CMCCE, Economic Inequality, Faith-Based Organizations, weforum
CRCC in the NewsDeseret News: Flory on Justin Bieber’s ChristianityWhy does it seem that everyone is buzzing about Justin Bieber’s faith? Deseret News interviewed Richard Flory on the allure of celebrity Christians. Here is an excerpt: That’s been the case for …Topics: Evangelicals and Evangelicalism, Religious Affiliation
CommentaryThe Roaring 20s: Religion Trends to Watch in 2020 and the Next DecadeThe 1920s was a decade of change, and we see the 2020s as reminiscent of the cultural flux of that period. When people think of the 1920s, many imagine a golden era …Topics: Community Dynamics, Environment, Evangelicals and Evangelicalism, Political Attitudes and Values, Race and Culture
CRCC in the NewsWashington Post & RNS: Flory on Pentecostal Church’s Attempt to Resurrect a ChildHundreds of congregants attempted to resurrect a 2-year-old girl with song and dance at Bethel Church in Redding, California. The Washington Post and Religious News Service interviewed Richard Flory on Pentecostal beliefs …Topics: Pentecostals and Pentecostalism
ArticleBadr Baabou: LGBTQ Activist in TunisiaThis article was originally published in Religion News Service, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. Every month, 39-year-old Badr Baabou visits the whitewashed Sufi shrine of Aisha Al-Manoubya …Topics: Engaged Spirituality, LGBT Issues, Middle East and North Africa, Muslims and Islam, Spiritual Exemplars
ReportUncharted Pilgrimages: Mapping Contemporary Spiritual JourneysTopics: Creativity and Innovation, Southern California, weforum
ReportCommunity Transformation: Outlining a Process for ChangeIntroduction: Innovation Labs for Congregational Vitality and Community Change Imagine if a church held a gala to raise money for programs to help improve the lives of its neighbors, and everyone in …Topics: Black Church, CMCCE, Faith-Based Organizations, Social Services, weforum
ResourcesHow to Start a Wealth-Building Ministry at Your ChurchIn disadvantaged communities, economic instability makes it difficult for many to access important financial knowledge. Without this information, people cannot lift themselves up and grow their wealth. And if the people are …Topics: Black Church, CMCCE, Economic Inequality, Social Services
CRCC in the NewsRNS: Richard Flory on Christian NationalistsAn emerging group of leaders are combining conservative Christianity and nationalism. Religion News Service wrote about Michael O’Fallon, the CEO of Sovereign Nations and owner of Sovereign Cruises and Events LLC, which …Topics: Christians and Christianity
“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.
Donald Cook IIContributing FellowRev. Donald Cook II combines his expertise in church management with ministry and social justice initiatives to help faith organizations improve their communities.
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 JohnsonPast 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 MartínezPast 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.