Laura Harbert Allen, Author at 100 Days in Appalachia

Author: Laura Harbert Allen

What is the New Apostolic Reformation? How a Religio-Political Movement is Affecting U.S. and Appalachian Politics

by Laura Harbert Allen on September 3, 2024 Comments are Disabled

Here’s some context and clarity about the relationship between dominion theology and the NAR, the “apostles” and “prophets” who lead this movement, and what it all means for our politics.

Del. Ridenour (R-Jefferson) looks over legislation during the February 26, 2024, morning floor session in the House chamber. Photo: Perry Bennett/West Virginia Legislative Photography

Religion

W. Va. Bill Poses Legal Challenges for Faith-based Immigrant Services

by Laura Harbert Allen on February 29, 2024 Comments are Disabled

Religious leaders say that a bill passed by the West Virginia House of Delegates this week could criminalize faith-based groups that provide assistance to undocumented immigrants. HB 5031 changes the definition of “human smuggling” in state code to transporting or harboring individuals who are known to be in the country […]

James is one of the main characters of "O Pioneer!" "He has an ability to listen and really hear your words and then let those words reflect upon his understanding of his relationship with God and religion," filmmaker Clara Lehmann said. Photo: Provided

Culture

Meet the Filmmakers of ‘O, Pioneer!’, A Documentary Exploring Life in Appalachia During the Pandemic

by Laura Harbert Allen on September 19, 2023 Comments are Disabled

We primeval forests felling,We the rivers stemming, vexing we, and piercing deep the mines within;We the surface broad surveying, we the virgin soil upheaving, Pioneers! O pioneers! – Stanza 7 from Pioneers! O Pioneers by Walt Whitman When we hear the word “pioneer” – especially in the Appalachian context – […]

In this April 19, 2019 file photo, a gay pride rainbow flag flies along with the U.S. flag in front of the Asbury United Methodist Church in Prairie Village, Kan. Photo: Charlie Riedel/AP Photo, File

Queer Appalachia

Protestant Leaders Balance Cultural Divides as LGBTQ Issues Split Appalachian Statehouses

by Laura Harbert Allen on May 18, 2023 Comments are Disabled

On a cloudy March evening, Roxy von Teddy stands in front of what used to be the altar of a Disciples of Christ Church in downtown Athens, Ohio. The former church is now home to the Southeast Ohio History Center, which purchased the building in 2017, but vestiges of the […]

A member of the Abundant Life Church serves barbeque chicken to an attendee of the dip dinner. About a dozen churches and faith communities partnered with several community organizations to prepare food for the event. Photo: Laura Harbert Allen/100 Days in Appalachia

Communities

Food and Faith: Church Dinners Have Served as Places to Build Community for Generations

by Laura Harbert Allen on March 2, 2023 Comments are Disabled

For years, Roberta Lee Levine has baked noodle kugel – a traditional Jewish egg noodle casserole made with apples, cinnamon, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and raisins. “I’ve made it for bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, weddings, ” she said. “Everybody says I make the best.” Saturday, Levine and her husband, Richard, […]

Documenting Hate

White Supremacy and White Christianity, An Interview with Author Robert P. Jones

by Laura Harbert Allen on October 18, 2022 Comments are Disabled

In his book “White Too Long,” Robert P. Jones, president and founder of the Public Religion Research Institute, digs into how white supremacy as part of the history of the white Christian church and the implications the past has for understanding racism in the United States today. In this interview, […]