University of Pennsylvania
Associate professor of Religion Studies and Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania
PROFILE
Anthea Butler
Guest
FROM Anthea Butler
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Ahead of the VP debate, where do ‘values voters’ stand? Mike Pence and Tim Kaine, the two vice presidential candidates debate Tuesday night. Both are devout Christians, and issues like abortion and gay rights have been an important rallying cry for Christian conservatives in past elections. So far, though, this presidential contest has been noteworthy for its lack of focus on social issues. So where are the so-called “values voters” this time around?
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
The State of Televangelism Televangelist Jan Crouch died yesterday at the age of 78. Even if you’ve never heard her sermons, you’d probably recognize her image. She was known for enormous bouffant wigs – sometimes blonde, sometimes pink or purple – fake eyelashes and layers of makeup. Then there were her outfits: gaudy, often shiny, furry or sequined. Jan and her late husband Paul Crouch founded the Trinity Broadcasting Network in Orange County in 1973. Nearly 40 years later, TBN beams Christian programming to more than 5,000 TV stations around the world. It’s the world’s biggest Christian TV network, but it’s not the only one. What is the state of televangelism today?
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
The Evangelical Vote Moving now to another bloc of voters the candidates are vying for: evangelicals. Much to the dismay of some Conservative Christians, exit polls following Super Tuesday showed that Donald Trump won the born-again vote in several states. But what exactly is the born-again vote? Do born-again Christians, or evangelicals, constitute an actual voting bloc? And if so, how powerful are they this election year?
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Ben Carson and the Evangelicals The GOP race has a new front runner. Brain surgeon Ben Carson now leads Donald Trump, according to a new national poll out today. Among his supporters is a resurgent voting bloc: Evangelicals. What power does this voting bloc still have?
Recommended
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Why did Jared Kushner want a back channel with Russians? News broke Friday that President Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor, Jared Kushner, tried setting up a back channel between the Trump transition team and the Russian government. What are the consequences for Kushner, President Trump, and the investigation into Russian meddling?
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Previewing James Comey's blockbuster testimony Former FBI director James Comey testifies Thursday in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee, but his opening statement has been released. In it, he says he felt pressured by Donald Trump to declare loyalty to him and publicly clear him of any wrongdoing in the Russia investigation.
Design and Architecture
Farewell LA freeways, Peter Shire is back Angelenos don't want more freeways but we seem not to want mass transit either. Metro has killed the 710 freeway extension, and bus and train ridership is down across the region. What's the future of getting around in LA? And, Peter Shire is having a comeback. What attracts a new generation to his playful ceramics and furniture?
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Gov. Jerry Brown: California and China will fight climate change together President Donald Trump reportedly wants the U.S. to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, and he’s expected to announce a decision soon. California Governor Jerry Brown heads to China to strengthen climate and clean energy ties.