HuffPost Religion's People Of The Year Are The Religious Leaders Of Ferguson

[cbayer]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/29/ferguson-religious-huffpost-religion_n_6373064.html

The Huffington Post | By HuffPost Religion Editors
Posted: 12/29/2014 7:52 am EST Updated: 1 hour ago CLERGY


Philip Deitch

The editors of HuffPost Religion have designated the religious leaders of Ferguson as our 2014 People of the Year.

From the first day when Michael Brown was shot, the religious leaders from Ferguson and surrounding areas put themselves in the center of the protests and the movement for equality and justice. Women and men, black and white, clergy and lay people of all religious backgrounds provided both a pastoral and a prophetic presence in a community devastated and activated by the shooting of an unarmed young black man by the police.


AP

In no time in recent American history has it been made so plain how crucial religious leadership can be in protesting injustice as well as in providing avenues for healing and transformation.


The Washington Post via Getty Images

These religious leaders from the beginning have acted as liaisons for conversations between protesters and the police, and in the most heated moments of protest created a human buffer that likely saved lives. One pastor even sustained a bloody bruise after being shot by a rubber bullet while praying between protesters and the police.

more at link

[trotsky]

1. One could argue that it was their humanity, not their religion, that was responsible.

But it seems that often, those who are religious like to promote religion over the deed itself.

[randys1]

2. Excellent choice, outstanding!

Given the burning of the entire state is what likely would have happened if roles were reversed the past 200 years and white people were treated this way...

[cbayer]

4. Agree with you and HuffPo.

I think they played a critical role in both keeping this in the limelight and keeping it as peaceful as possible.

Kudos to them.

[Sunlei]

3. Religious leaders all are our Heros for Peace

[cbayer]

5. I wish they all were, but I will surely embrace those that are.

[hrmjustin]

6. The clergy that responded to the people of Ferguson showed what their ministry is all about. n/t

[cbayer]

7. Yes, they did. They are people I would hope we could all cheer for.