Churches: The heartbeat of African-American communities

In an article appearing in the Greenville Journal, Furman Professor of Religion Helen Lee Turner comments on why so many slaves converted to Christianity in the 18th century. In the story, which explores the impact of African-American churches on communities, Turner said, “[The church/religion] was giving them a sense of identity that says, ‘You’re a child of God, you’re not just chattel, you’re not just property.'” 

Turner is the Reuben B. Pitts Chair for the Department of Religion. She teaches courses in American religion, Judaism, and Native American religion.