Article

Turning the Prophetic into Civil Religion: Barack Obama's March 4, 2007 Sermon in Selma, Alabama

Author: Jason R Moyer (Malone University)

Abstract

This essay analyzes Barack Obama’s March 4, 2007 sermon in Selma, Alabama that helped to position his candidacy for president in relationship to the civil rights movement. I argue that Obama’s sermon helped to move black theology from its prophetic orientation to serve the model of radiant whiteness that black liberation theologian James Cone attributes to U.S. civil religion.

Keywords:

How to Cite: Moyer, J. R. (2015) “Turning the Prophetic into Civil Religion: Barack Obama's March 4, 2007 Sermon in Selma, Alabama”, Poroi. 11(2). doi: https://doi.org/10.13008/2151-2957.1240