Critical Thinking: The Spiritual Magic of the Black Church, and Whatnot
Welcome to Porshanality Podcast! A curiously sermonic podcast playground for adulting over 30. Because let’s keep it real, life will keep life with swift transitions, but together we can honor the moments we are in and keep on living. I am your host, Porsha Williams Gates. I’m an entrepreneur, coach, ordained minister, spiritual advisor, writer, and so much more. Join me weekly on Wednesdays as we grow and live together in the community.
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but your ancestors are not demonic. In fact, Jesus is an ancestor. We are seeing a rise of white supremacy cosplaying in Blackface in Black churches and preaching anti-Black messages. This has to end. We must engage Black spirituality and Black religion with critical thinking. This episode addresses the notion that sound theology should be accessible to people everywhere. Liberation theology has not always been accessible to the broader public because of the “seminary paywall.” However, it is the responsibility of the seminary-trained preacher to preach the truth full and free for the people. Growing up in Bridgeport, CT, I had access to liberation theology at my church when it wasn’t popular to preach. When it came to my spiritual formation, I was encouraged to read and to become a student before I could lead. We need more preachers and proclaimers reading and engaging in sound study.
Here are a few authors who have a catalog of works that I recommend as required reading for constructing Black Spirituality: Anything and everything written by James H. Cone, Emilie Townes, Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, Howard Thurman, Alice Walker, Delores S. Williams, Renita J. Weems, Kaite Geneva Cannon, and Malidoma Patrice Some.
As always, I thank you for listening.
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PRODUCTION CREDITS This podcast is hosted, edited, and produced by Porsha Williams Gates of Porshanality Media, LLC.Featured Music with licensed permission:
WHEW CHILE!
- Composed by Sarah Debnam
- Produced by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist
- Release date February 24, 2023
Back In My Bag, Again
- Composed by Anthony Lobban, Dillon Heera, Daniel Jacobson
- Produced by Daniel Jacobson
- Release date January 27, 2023
The Porshanality Podcast is the premiere curiously sermonic podcast playground for adulting over 30. Hosted by Porsha Williams Gates. Porsha Williams Gates is an ordained minister, coach, entrepreneur, spiritual advisor, and more. Join us weekly on Wednesdays for new episodes on Spotify, Apple, SoundCloud, and Google Podcasts. Topics range from relationships, marriage, culture, politics, friendship, parenting, finding self-love, joy, hope, spirituality, adulting, peace, business, and anti-racism.
