Anthea Butler

MS NOW Columnist

Anthea Butler is a professor of religious studies and Africana studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Her most recent book is “White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America.”


Latest from

Anthea Butler

1mos ago
MS NOW Opinion

Pope Leo calls on U.S. bishops to stand up for migrants’ rights

The pope met this week with a group of more than 100 Latino Catholics from the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry.

1mos ago
MS NOW Opinion

‘Not really pro-life’: Pope Leo’s thoughts on the handling of immigration in America

The pope’s statement calling out the inhumane treatment of immigrants by the United States predictably infuriated conservatives and prompted a response by the White House.

3mos ago
MS NOW Opinion

James Dobson’s harsh, disciplinarian Christianity changed GOP politics

Discipline rooted in fear, not love, was a hallmark of Dobson’s teachings and a hallmark of his writings about children.

5mos ago
MS NOW Opinion

We can blame Jimmy Swaggart for much of our toxic politics

Swaggart’s mix of old-time gospel, his interpretations of biblical prophecy and his evangelistic crusades spread a particular kind of fundamentalist Pentecostalism that endures today.

6mos ago
MS NOW Opinion

The long-shot African cardinals who could make papal history

While an African pope would be a historically stunning development, just one of the drawbacks is that no African cardinal holds a major office in the Vatican.

7mos ago
MS NOW Opinion

The subtly complicated politics of Pope Francis’ funeral

Pope Francis’ funeral is be a moment when different factions from around the world, perhaps frustratingly, have to interact with one another.

7mos ago
MS NOW Opinion

There will never be another pope like Francis

Jorge Mario Bergoglio becoming pope was a singular event, likely not to be repeated in our lifetimes.

7mos ago
MS NOW Opinion

Why you should pray your Easter Sunday worship isn’t interrupted by ICE

A federal judge sided with the Trump administration April 11 and gave permission to ICE to conduct enforcement operations at houses of worship.

9mos ago
MS NOW Opinion

‘Conclave’ could have made a revolutionary statement — but it fell short

The movie asks viewers to consider the role that sexuality and gender have had in clerical life even as it falls prey to damaging tropes about both.

9mos ago
MS NOW Opinion

These Trump administration Catholics are at odds with Pope Francis over immigration

The Trump administration, which describes itself as “faith based,” is in fact setting itself up for an epic religious and social battle with religious groups over deportation.