Religion: A New Union Between the Church and Labor

Summary:

Forget what you think you know about the religious right

Tones:

Informational, NPR NewsMagazine-y, Political

Language:

English

Description:

Historically speaking, religious leaders of all faiths have often worked for economic and social justice. The first abolitionists were Quakers. Methodists led the effort to end child labor in America. And a Baptist minister named Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed while supporting 1,300 striking garbage workers in Memphis, Tennessee.

But in recent years, the polarization of party politics has forced a rift in what was once a union. Now, many religious leaders in California say enough is enough? and they?re joining forces to fight for the working poor. More than 1,000 religious leaders representing a quarter-million congregants are launching a statewide coalition to fight poverty and rebuild the middle class. Rose Aguilar reports from San Francisco.

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