ON CHURCHES TRYING TO BE BOTH PLACES OF WORSHIP AND SECURE.

>>> ALSO, THE MANY TRIBUTES TO THE LATE ELIE WIESEL.

>>> AND KIM LAWTON TALKS TO THE GRAMMY-AWARD WINNING KIRK FRANKLIN, A MAJOR FORCE IN GOSPEL MUSIC FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

WELCOME.YOUR RETIREMENT COMPANY.

WELCOME.

I'M BOB ABERNETHY.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU WITH US.

RELIGIOUS GROUPS ARE AMONG THOSE CALLING FOR A NEW NATIONAL CONVERSATION ON VIOLENCE, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND RACE IN THE WAKE OF THIS WEEK'S DEVASTATING SHOOTINGS.

MANY EXPRESSED SHOCK AND HORROR ABOUT THE TARGETED KILLING OF POLICE OFFICERS IN DALLAS.

THAT HAPPENED DURING A PEACEFUL PROTEST AGAINST THE HIGH PROFILE FATAL POLICE SHOOTINGS OF TWO BLACK MEN EARLIER IN THE WEEK -- ALTON STERLING IN BA amOUGE AND PHILANDO CASTILE IN MINNESOTA.

FAITH LEADERS HAD ALSO STRONGLY CONDEMNED THOSE DEATHS.

SEVERAL RELIGIOUS GROUPS DESIGNATED THIS A SABBATH WEEKEND TO PRAY FOR AND WORK TOWARD AN END TO RACISM AND VIOLENCE.

>>> HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE PAST WEEK IN A SERIES OF TERRORIST ATTACKS IN SEVERAL PREDOMINANTLY MUSLIM COUNTRIES.

THE ATTACKS COINCIDED WITH THE END OF RAMADAN AND THE CELEBRATION OF EID-AL-FITR, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ISLAMIC HOLIDAYS.

THE DEADLIEST INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN BAGHDAD, WHEN SOME 300 PEOPLE DIED IN SUICIDE BOMBINGS IN SHIITE NEIGHBORHOODS.

ISIS CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY.

THERE WERE ALSO THREE SUICIDE BOMBINGS IN SAUDI ARABIA, INCLUDING ONE NEAR THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD'S MOSQUE IN MEDINA, ONE OF THE HOLIEST SITES FOR MUSLIMS.

AND THERE WERE SEVERAL ATTACKS IN BANGLADESH, INCLUDING A DEADLY HOSTAGE CRISIS IN AN UPSCALE RESTAURANT.

RELIGIOUS LEADERS AROUND THE WORLD DENOUNCED ALL THE VIOLENCE.

POPE FRANCIS PRAYED THAT GOD WOULD CONVERT THE HEARTS OF THOSE "BLINDED BY HATRED."

BUT SOME MUSLIMS SAID THEY WERE TROUBLED BY WHAT THEY SAW AS AN OVERALL LACK OF CONCERN IN THE NON-MUSLIM WEST.

>>> IN SYRIA, THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED A THREE-DAY TRUCE DURING EID-AL-FITR, BUT HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS REPORTED THAT FIGHTING CONTINUED.

THIS WEEK, THE UNITED NATIONS WARNED THAT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF SYRIANS IN FOUR BESIEGED CITIES ARE FACING STARVATION UNLESS AID CAN BE DELIVERED.

MEANWHILE, ARCHBISHOP OF &qULÑ CANTERBURY JUSTIN WELBY ANNOUNCED THAT HE WILL OPEN HIS LONDON HOME, LAMBETH PALACE, TO A SYRIAN REFUGEE FAMILY EXPECTED TO ARRIVE NEXT MONTH.

>>> AN 8-MONTH-LONG VATICAN TRIAL RELATED TO THE LEAKING OF CONFIDENTIAL CHURCH DOCUMENTS HAS ENDED.

THE VATICAN COURT CLEARED TWO JOURNALISTS ACCUSED OF LEAKING THE FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS, NOTING THAT IT HAD NO JURISDICTION OVER THEM.

HOWEVER, THE COURT SENTENCED MONSIGNOR LUCIO ANGEL VALLEJO BALDA, A SPANISH PRIEST, TO 18 MONTHS IN PRISON.

HE WAS THE FORMER SECRETARY OF A PAPAL COMMISSION THAT STUDIED FINANCIAL REFORM.

A P.R.

EXPERT WHO HAS A 3-WEEK OLD SON, WAS GIVEN A SUSPENDED 10-MONTHS SENTENCE.iH!ZO THE COURT FOUND A FIFTH DEFENDANT INNOCENT.

>>> HERE IN THE US, THERE WAS A WAVE OF ATTACKS ON MUSLIMS NEAR THEIR MOSQUES THIS PAST WEEK, AND AUTHORITIES SAY SUCH VIOLENCE MAY BE ON THE RISE.

IN FLORIDA, A MAN WAS BEATEN OUTSIDE THE MOSQUE ORLANDO NIGHTCLUB SHOOTER OMAR MATEEN ATTENDED.

IN BROOKLYN, TWO MUSLIM TEENS WERE BEATEN OUTSIDE A MOSQUE.

AND IN HOUSTON, A DOCTOR ATTEMPTING TO ATTEND PRAYER SERVICES WAS SHOT.

AS A RESULT, MANY MUSLIMS ARE CALLING FOR TIGHTER SECURITY.

>>> SECURITY IS A GROWING CONCERN FOR MANY PLACES OF WORSHIP.

WE HAVE A LUCKY SEVERSON STORY TODAY ABOUT CHURCHES TRYING TO KEEP THEIR MEMBERS PHYSICALLY SAFE AND AT THE SAME TIME REMAIN WELCOMING.

THERE'S A LIVELY DEBATE UNDERWAY ABOUT WHETHER CONGREGATIONS CAN BE BOTH WORSHIPFUL AND ARMED.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE ORCHARD CHURCH IN OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI.

IT'S A METHODIST CONGREGATION WITH A DIVERSE MEMBERSHIP.

AS THE SIGN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL SAYS, EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

WELL, NOT EVERYONE.

THIS IS A VERY WELCOMING CONGREGATION, BUT FOLKS HERE, LIKE MANY PARISHIONERS ACROSS THE U.S., ARE A LITTLE JITTERY ABOUT UNWANTED GUESTS.

PAT WARD IS THE LEAD PASTOR.

>> WE HAVE BEEN UNDER AN EPIDEMIC IN OUR COUNTRY LATELY OF MASS SHOOTINGS, AND IT'S BEEN A LOT IN THE NEWS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, AND WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL WHO HAVE SAID, "HEY, WHAT IS THE SECURITY PROCEDURE HERE?"

>> Reporter: SO THE PASTOR AND HIS ADVISORS, WHICH INCLUDED DAVID WADDELL, APPOINTED A SECURITY TEAM.

>> WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE LOOKING FOR FOLKS THAT MAY BE LOOKING SUSPICIOUS OR THAT WOULD BE QUESTIONABLE, JUST TO KIND OF KEEP AN EYE ON.

>> Reporter: ARE THEY CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPONS?

>> THEY ARE, BUT THEY'RE --—— WELL, THEY'RE HIDDEN.

BUT YES, THEY HAVE.

>> Reporter: THOSE CARRYING WEAPONS AT ORCHARD ARE REGULAR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND ALSO CHURCH MEMBERS.

MISSISSIPPI HAS A NEW LAW CALLED THE CHURCH PROTECTION ACT, WHICH SAYS CHURCHES CAN DESIGNATE AND TRAIN CERTAIN MEMBERS TO PROVIDE ARMED SECURITY WITH LEGAL PROTECTION.

YOU'LL NOTICE THE GOVERNOR'S GUN ON TOP OF THE BIBLE WHEN HE SIGNED THE LAW.

ANN WHITAKER WAS NOT IMPRESSED.

SHE'S THE ASSOCIATE RECTOR AT SAINT PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN OXFORD.

>> I BELIEVE THAT IT WAS A KNEE-JERK REACTION TO THE SHOOTINGS IN SOUTH CAROLINA THAT HAPPENED ONE YEAR AGO.

>> Reporter: SHE IS SPEAKING ABOUT THE COLD-BLOODED SHOOTING IN 2015 OF NINE MEMBERS OF THE EMANUEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH y7á FOR MANY CHURCHES THIS WAS A WAKE-UP CALL.

BUT THERE HAVE BEEN OTHERS, THE FATAL SHOOTING AT THE KEYSTONE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH IN PENNSYLVANIA THIS YEAR, THE SIKH TEMPLE SHOOTING IN 2012 THAT KILLED SIX.

THERE ARE SEVERAL ESTIMATES OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE KILLED IN CHURCH VIOLENCE.

MOST RANGE AROUND 450 SINCE 1999, BUT THE FBI CANNOT CONFIRM A NUMBER.

THIS IS JAY LOSHER, THE CO-PASTOR OF THE UNITED CHRISTIAN PARISH IN FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA.

>> AFTER THE INCIDENT IN CHARLESTON THERE WERE CONGREGANTS WHO WERE SAYING THAT WE SHOULD BEGIN TO THINK ABOUT IT AND HAVE A PLAN FOR-——GOD FORBID THAT IT WOULD EVER HAPPEN, BUT WE SHOULD BE PREPARED.

>> Reporter: THE FAIRFAX POLICE CRIME PREVENTION UNIT OFFERED TO HELP THEM PREPARE.

THE UNIT JOINS NUMEROUS PRIVATE SECURITY EXPERTS ADVISING CHURCHES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

FAIRFAX POLICE CALL THEIR CHURCH OUTREACH PROGRAM WORSHIP WATCH.

>> WE KNOW THAT CHURCHES ARE OPEN, AND PEOPLE -- IT'S A WELCOMING PLACE, AND THE CONGREGATION WANTS PEOPLE TO COME IN THAT NEED SERVICES, THAT NEED HELP, THAT WANT TO BEVNTz R(T&HáhP &HC& PART OF THE WORSHIP COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: NATIONWIDE, THE MOST REPORTED CHURCH CRIMES DO NOT INVOLVE VIOLENCE.

OFFICER DEFOE SAYS THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM SHE'S ENCOUNTERED IS PANHANDLING, WHICH SOUNDS INNOCENT ENOUGH BUT, SHE SAYS, CAN GET OUT OF CONTROL.

>> DOES IT HAPPEN?

YES.

DO THEY REPORT?

NOT SO MUCH, BECAUSE WHAT THEY TELL US IS, YOU KNOW, WE TOOK CARE OF IT, OR THE PERSON NEEDS HELP AND NOT THE POLICE.

BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, IT ONLY TAKES A SMALL -- IT'S A VERY THIN LINE BETWEEN OKAY AND HAVE A PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: JAMIE RIM AND DAVID LEE ARE DEACONS AT CHRIST CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S A BALANCE BETWEEN SECURITY AND SECURING OUR FACILITIES AND MAKING IT A WELCOMING HOUSE OF WORSHIP BUT ALSO BE AWARE OF THINGS THAT CAN AFFECT OUR CHURCH SECURITY.

>> ON THE ONE HAND, WE'VE GOT TO PROTECT OUR CONGREGATION AND OURSELVES.

HOWEVER, HOW DO YOU REALLY DO THAT IF SOMEONE ENTERS OUR FACILITY WITH INTENT TO DO HARM, OTHER THAN CALL 911 RIGHT AWAY?

IT'S NOT CLEAR HOW DO WE GO ABOUT DOING THINGS.

>> Reporter: PASTOR WARD SAYS HIS CHURCH JUST TOOK COMMON-SENSE STEPS TO PREPARE.

>> THINGS LIKE LIMITING THE NUMBER OF ENTRANCES ON A SUNDAY MORNING AFTER THE SERVICE STARTS TO MAKING SURE THAT OUR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY HAS A CHECK-IN PROCEDURE AND CHECK-OUT PROCEDURE.

WE NEED TO SEARCH BAGS THAT COME IN.

SOME OF OUR LAW- ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES SAID THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN CONSISTENT IN A LOT OF THE SHOOTINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IS THAT PEOPLE WILL HAVE CARRIED BAGS.

>> Reporter: MEMBERS HERE ARE VERY AWARE THAT THIS PAST EASTER, 70 MILES AWAY IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, POLICE ARRESTED A HEAVILY ARMED MAN AS HE WALKED INTO BELLEVUE BAPTIST CHURCH, WHERE 4,500 PEOPLE WERE WORSHIPING.

THE CHURCH HAD SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS.

>> THIS HAS JUST MADE CHURCHES AWARE OF THE FACT THAT NOT EVERYONE WILL RESPECT A PLACE OF WORSHIP.

AND WE'RE FINDING THAT IN A VARIETY OF AREAS IN OUR COUNTRY, SO THE SMART ONES ARE ACTUALLY PREPARING FOR IT AND TAKING STEPS TO HELP PREVENT ANYTHING 3 FROM MAJOR OR CATASTROPHIC HAPPENING.

>> Reporter: MEMBERS HERE SUPPORT THE SECURITY STEPS TAKEN SO FAR, BUT ONLY SO FAR.

THIS IS CINDY HOWLE AND BOB PLANTS.

>> YOU WALK A REALLY FINE LINE WITH RELIGION AND ACCEPTING PEOPLE, TO WHERE DO YOU DRAW THAT LINE WHERE SAFETY IS?

>> I REMEMBER LIVING AND GROWING UP IN THIS TOWN AT THAT POINT, AND YOU JUST DIDN'T THINK ABOUT THINGS LIKE THAT.

I HAVE TO THINK IT'S PROBABLY A MEDIA DEAL.

WE HAVE SO MUCH ACCESS TO INFORMATION THAN WE'VE EVER HAD IN THE PAST, AND SOMETIMES I THINK THAT BLOWS IT OUT OF PROPORTION.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I REALLY ENJOY THE MOST ABOUT THIS CHURCH IS THE FEELING OF ACCEPTANCE.

I CAN PUT ON A PAIR OF JEANS OR A PAIR OF LEGGINGS AND NOT MY HOLLYWOOD LOOK.

I WOULDN'T WANT SOMEONE SAYING, YOU KNOW, "DID SHE WANDER IN OFF THE STREETS?

I MEAN, SHE LOOKS A LITTLE E HAGGARD."

THAT KIND OF THING.

>> Reporter: OVER AT ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ASSOCIATE RECTOR ANN WHITAKER SAYS HER CHURCH DOESN'T HAVE A GUN POLICY, THAT IT'S UP TO THE LOCAL DENOMINATIONS.

BUT IF IT WERE UP TO HER, GUNS WOULDN'T BE CHURCH.çG >> THERE ARE GUNS IN MISSISSIPPI, WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HUNT, AND THAT'S OKAY.

BUT I THINK IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, IF YOU WILL, THAT IS NOT A PLACE WHERE WEAPONS SHOULD BE ACCEPTABLE.

I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK FOR OTHER WAYS TO SORT OF DEAL WITH WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN WITHIN THE CONFINES OF A CHURCH.

>> Reporter: IT'S NOT THAT SHE DOESN'T OCCASIONALLY THINK ABOUT AN INTRUDER COMING IN THE CHURCH WHEN SHE'S THERE ALONE.

>> I ALSO THINK IF I LIVE INTO THE TENETS OF MY FAITH, WHILE I WANT TO BE PREPARED, I TAKE JESUS AT HIS WORD, WHO SAYS, "BE WISE AS SERPENTS," ys UP WITH THE WORDS "BUT GENTLE AS DOVES."

IT MEANS I'M NOT GOING TO LIVE IN FEAR.

I DON'T WANT TO LIVE IN FEAR.

>> I THINK THE OVERREACTION ASPECT IS AN IMPORTANT ONE THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH IF A CHURCH IS GOING TO BE A WELCOMING PLACE.

IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT IF YOU'VE GOT A WELL-ARMED MILITIA LINEUP UP IN THE PARKING LOT.

>> Reporter: PASTOR WARD SAYS HE THINKS THE MEASURES HIS CHURCH HAS TAKEN GO FAR ENOUGH.

>> ONE OF MY FAVORITE VERSES THAT I FEEL LIKE IS RELATED TO THIS SUBJECT IS IN LUKE CHAPTER 22, WHERE JESUS IS IN JERUSALEM UNDER THE THREAT OF DEATH, AND THE DISCIPLES SAY, "HEY, WE HAVE TWO SWORDS HERE," AND JESUS SAYS, "WELL, THAT'S ENOUGH."

AND IT'S ABOUT, HE DIDN'T SAY, "NO, WE DON'T NEED ANY SWORDS."

HE DIDN'T SAY, "NO, WE NEED 12, AND A BIG ONE FOR ME."

HE JUST SAID, "THAT'S ENOUGH."

AND I THINK AN APPROPRIATE Y MEASURE FOR SECURITY IS WHAT A CHURCH SHOULD WRESTLE WITH.

>> Reporter: FOR "RELIGION AND ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY," I'M LUCKY SEVERSON IN OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI.lOI >>> ALL THIS WEEK, MANY JEWS AND MANY OTHERS, TOO, HAVE MOURNED THE DEATH OF ELIE WIESEL, WHO DIED LAST WEEKEND AT THE AGE OF 87.

MOST OF WIESEL'S FAMILY HAD PERISHED IN THE NAZI HOLOCAUST DURING WORLD WAR II.

BUT HE SURVIVED, A TEENAGER, WHO GREW UP TO WRITE HIS POWERFUL BOOK "NIGHT," DESCRIBING THE ATROCITIES HE HAD SEEN.

HE THEN DEVOTED HIS LIFE NOT ONLY TO REMEMBERING THE NAZI GENOCIDE AGAINST JEWS BUT TO OPPOSING PERSECUTION EVERYWHERE.

FOR HIS WORK AGAINST OPPRESSION, WORLDWIDE, WIESEL WAS AWARDED THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR PEACE.

HE SAID THEN, "I SWORE NEVER TO BE SILENT WHENEVER, WHEREVER HUMAN BEINGS ENDURE SUFFERING AND HUMILIATION."

HE HAD ALSO OBSERVED THAT THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE IS NOT HATE BUT INDIFFERENCE.

AMONG HIS PROJECTS, SUCH AS WRITING NEARLY 60 BOOKS, WIESEL HELPED CREATE THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM IN WASHINGTON.

HE SPOKE THERE TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO HAD BEEN KILLED.

>> WE HAVE KEPT OUR PROMISE.

WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN YOU.

>> AMONG THOSE PRAISING WIESEL THIS WEEK WAS PRESIDENT OBAMA, WHO CALLED HIM "THE MORAL CONSCIENCE OF THE WORLD."

>>> ON THE VERY FIRST EPISODE OF "RELIGION AND ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY" IN SEPTEMBER 1997, WE REPORTED ON THE PHENOMENAL SUCCESS OF POP GOSPEL MUSIC.

THE STORY FEATURED AN ARTIST NAMED KIRK FRANKLIN, WHO WAS TOPPING THE SECULAR MAINSTREAM CHARTS WITH A NEW URBAN TWIST ON GOSPEL MUSIC.

TODAY, FRANKLIN IS STILL A MAJOR FORCE IN THE GOSPEL MUSIC SCENE.J;< KIM LAWTON CAUGHT UP WITH HIM AT BALTIMORE'S LYRIC THEATRE DURING HIS LATEST CONCERT TOUR.

>> Reporter: FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES, KIRK FRANKLIN HAS BEEN REVOLUTIONIZING GOSPEL MUSIC.

HE WAS A TRAIL-BLAZER IN BLENDING GOSPEL, R&B, RAP, POP AND HIP- POP.

AND HE'S ONE OF ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF CHRISTIAN ARTISTS TO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY CROSSED OVER INTO THE MAINSTREAM.

NOW 46, FRANKLIN TRIES TO KEEP THAT MAINSTREAM SUCCESS IN PERSPECTIVE.

I'M THERE FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE, SO IF THAT DOOR OPENS AND IT'S FOR THE AGENDA OF MAKING GOD FAMOUS, IT'S COOL.

BUT IF I'M GOING OVER THERE SO KIRK FRANKLIN COULD BLOW UP, I WILL FAIL EVERY TIME.

>> Reporter: THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, FRANKLIN HAS DONE HIS PART TO "MAKE GOD FAMOUS."

HE HAS SOLD MORE THAN 10 MILLION ALBUMS AND RECEIVED TEN GRAMMYS AND MORE THAN 40 STELLAR AWARDS.

HIS 11 ALBUM CALLED "LOSING MY RELIGION" WAS RELEASED LAST NOVEMBER.

FRANKLIN SAYS THE INSPIRATION FOR IT WAS HIS BELIEF THAT THE RULES AND SOMETIMES JUDGMENTAL NATURE OF RELIGION CAN TOO OFTEN PREVENT PEOPLE FROM HAVING A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

>> SEEING CHURCH DECLINE IN AMERICA, CHURCH ATTENDANCE AMONG MILLENNIALS DECLINE, THE LACK OF IMPACT AND INFLUENCE WE HAVE IN THE CULTURE, AND THE LACK OF VOICE WE HAVE IN JUST BEING RELEVANT TO THE TIMES.

AND I BELIEVE A LOT OF THAT HAS BEEN SILENCED BY RELIGION.

THE IDEA OF GOD BEING A LOVING FATHER WHO WON'T STOP PURSUING YOU UNTIL HE WINS YOU BACK IS VERY FOREIGN TO THEM.

>> Reporter: ONE OF "LOSING MY RELIGION'S" HIT SINGLES, "WANNA BE HAPPY?"

DEBUTED AT NUMBER ONE ON THE CHARTS.

IT ADDRESSES ISSUES INCLUDING ADDICTION, POVERTY AND DOMESTIC ABUSE, FREQUENT THEMES IN FRANKLIN'S MUSIC.

HE BELIEVES CHRISTIAN ARTISTS MUST ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THEM.

>> THE CONVERSATION ABOUT ETERNITY AND LIFE AND DEATH AND HURT AND HOPE IS ALL FOUND IN THE NARRATIVE OF GOD, AND SO WE CAN STILL FIND CULTURAL, SWAGGY WAYS TO DO BE ABLE TO DO THAT, AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE'VE DONE A VERY GOOD JOB IN OUR GENRE.

>> Reporter: FRANKLIN'S MUSIC OFTEN DRAWS ON HIS OWN LIFE EXPERIENCES.

HE NEVER KNEW HIS FATHER, AND HIS MOTHER ABANDONED HIM WHEN HE WAS A SMALL BOY.

HE WAS RAISED IN TEXAS BY AN ELDERLY AUNT, GERTRUDE.

cxs SHE WAS A DEEPLY RELIGIOUS BAPTIST WHO STARTED HIM ON PIANO LESSONS WHEN HE WAS FOUR.

>> I WAS RAISED JUST WITH THE PIANO.

AND SO THAT PIANO AND TALKING TO GOD BECAME VERY NATURAL FOR ME AS A LITTLE BITTY BOY.

I WOULD JUMP ON THE ROOF AT NIGHT AND TALK TO HIM, SING SONGS TO HIM AND CRY AND HAVE THIS INTIMATE DIALOGUE.

NOBODY TAUGHT ME HOW TO DO THAT.

IT BECAME VERY NATURAL FOR ME AS A YOUNG MAN TO REALLY HAVE A VERY FATHER-SON RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD VERY QUICKLY.cbúR >> Reporter: FRANKLIN WAS ACTIVE IN CHURCH MUSIC FROM A YOUNG AGE.

HE WROTE HIS FIRST CHRISTIAN SONG WHEN HE WAS 14.

AFTER A TIME OF REBELLION IN HIS LATER TEENS, HE CAME BACK TO HIS FAITH AND BEGAN RECORDING SONGS.

IN 1993, HE RELEASED AN ALBUM, "KIRK FRANKLIN AND THE FAMILY."

IT SPENT 100 WEEKS ON THE GOSPEL CHARTS AND BECAME THE FIRST GOSPEL ALBUM TO GO PLATINUM.

>> YOU'LL BE LISTENING TO HIS MESSAGE ON THE DANCE FLOORS WITH THIS ONE.

THIS IS STOMP ON WPGC.

>> Reporter: HIS 1997 ALBUM "GOD'S PROPERTY AND KIRK FRANKLIN" AND ITS HIT SINGLE "STOMP" EXPLODED ON THE MAINSTREAM R&B AND HIP-HOP CHARTS AND WAS PLAYED ON SECULAR RADIO STATIONS.

BUT FRANKLIN ALSO FACED CRITICISM FROM TRADITIONAL CHURCH PEOPLE WHO FELT HIS URBAN STYLE AND ENERGETIC DANCING WERE INAPPROPRIATE WITH CHRISTIAN MUSIC.t1Ht >> I'VE HAD ROCKS THROWN AT ME SINCE DAY ONE.

MY AGENDA AND MY MODUS OPERANDI IS ALWAYS TO KEEP THAT CONVERSATION ALIVE OF GOD.

AND SO IF IT TAKES SOME ROCKS BEING HIT, I'M COOL.

HOW IS MUSIC A SPIRITUAL ENDEAVOR FOR YOU?

>> I BELIEVE IT'S THE MEAL THAT ALLOWS ME TO SIT AT THE TABLE WITH GOD.

♪♪ >> Reporter: TODAY, FRANKLIN HAS BEEN EMBRACED BY MAINSTREAM EVANGELICALISM.

FOR SEVERAL YEARS, HE PERFORMED AT BILLY GRAHAM CRUSADES.

HE SAYS GRAHAM HAD A STRONG IMPACT ON HIS LIFE.

>> HE WAS A DUDE THAT YOU SAW WALK IT AND TALK IT.

THAT'S THE TYPE OF INTEGRITY THAT YOU FIGHT FOR, YOU WANT THAT TYPE OF INTEGRITY, FAITHFULNESS AND LOYALTY, NOT ONLY TO THE GOD THAT YOU BELIEVE BUT TO THE CHILDREN AND FAMILY THAT YOU HAVE.

AND INTEGRITY IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE MISSING A LOT NOW IN OUR LEADERS, RIGHT?

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE AWARDS AND ACCOLADES, FRANKLIN SPEAKS ABOUT HIS STRUGGLES WITH FEELINGS OF INSECURITY.

HE HAS ALSO BEEN CANDID ABOUT BATTLING AN ADDICTION TO PORNOGRAPHY, WHICH HE SAYS HE OVE6-jé)HTTrS HELP.

WHY DID YOU FEEL THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO BE THAT PUBLIC ABOUT THOSE KINDS OF THINGS?

>> I ENJOY TALKING ABOUT WHAT I'VE GONE THROUGH BECAUSE I HEAL AS I REVEAL.

I CAN IMPRESS YOU TALKING ABOUT GRAMMYS AND ALL THAT, BUT I CAN CHANGE YOU BY TELLING YOU ABOUT HOW I FELT WHEN I LOST THEM, RIGHT?

I CAN REALLY IMPACT YOU WHEN I TALK ABOUT THE DEPRESSION AND THE FEAR AND THE DOUBT, WHEN I DIDN'T KNOW IF I WAS GOOD ENOUGH.

I MEAN THAT HITS A DEEPER CORE, RIGHT?

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT DEEPER CORE ENHANCES HIS MUSIC.

>> IF I COULD TAKE THAT AND SOAK THAT TO THE MELODIES AND THE HARMONIES THAT YOU HEAR, WHEN I WRITE A SONG SAYS "I WANT TO BELIEVE, BUT I'M HAVING A HARD TIME SEEING PAST WHAT I SEE RIGHT NOW," THAT'S A BETTER OÑ3 CONVERSATION THAN TEN GRAMMYS.

>> Reporter: IT'S ALSO MORE AUTHENTIC.

>> IT BETTER BE.

IT BETTER BE, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO HEAR A SONG ABOUT TEN GRAMMYS.

THAT STINKS.

>> Reporter: FRANKLIN SAYS HE FEELS A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY IN USING HIS POSITION TO HELP OTHERS.

IN 2010, AFTER THE DEVASTATING HAITI EARTHQUAKE, FRANKLIN BROUGHT TOGETHER TOP GOSPEL ARTISTS TO RECORD THE BENEFIT SINGLE "ARE YOU LISTENING?"

HE FOUNDED THE FO YO SOUL RECORD LABEL WITH RCA RECORDS TO NURTURE EMERGING ARTISTS.

THROUGH ALL HIS VENTURES, FRANKLIN SAYS HE HOPES TO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT.

>> THESE ARE SHAKY TIMES AND PEOPLE NOW ARE BEGINNING TO LIVE LOOKING OVER THEIR SHOULDER AND I DON'T LIKE THAT.

I DON'T LIKE SEEING AMERICANS WALKING AROUND, LOOKING AT THE STOCK MARKET EVERY DAY, OR LOOKING AT A MUSLIM MAN GETTING ON THE BUS, OR A WHITE WOMAN STILL CLENCHING HER PURSE.

AND I BELIEVE THAT THE MESSAGE OF, NOT RELIGION, BUT THE HERO, GOD THE HERO, THE SAVIOR THAT IS STILL ABLE TO SAVE THE FEARS AND HOPES OF MAN IS WHAT I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW.

I'M PRAYING AND HOPING MAYBE ONE THING THAT I'VE SAID, FROM SOMEBODY WHO CAME FROM NOTHING, COULD MAYBE STILL GIVE JUST A LITTLE BIT OF HOPE THAT IT CAN GET BETTER.

>> Reporter: I'M KIM LAWTON IN BALTIMORE.

>>> ON OUR CALENDAR THIS WEEK, BAHAI'S OBSERVE THE MARTYRDOM OF THE BAB, MARKING THE DAY IN 1850 WHEN ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THEIR FAITH WAS EXECUTED IN PERSIA, NOW IRAN.

>>> FINALLY, A MASSIVE 510-FOOT-LONG REPLICA OF NOAH'S ARK OPENED THIS WEEK IN KENTUCKY.

ITS BUILDERS ARE BIBLICAL LITERALISTS WHO SPENT $100 MILLION TO PROMOTE THE BIBLE'S ACCOUNT OF THE FLOOD AND CREATION, WHICH THEY SAY TOOK PLACE 6,000 YEARS AGO.

THIS NEW ARK HAS MODELS OF ANIMALS, BUT NO ACTUAL CREATURES.

AMONG THOSE WHO ATTENDED THE OPENING ON THURSDAY WERE SOME WHO REPORTEDLY CAME TWO BY TWO.

>>> THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR NOW.

I'M BOB ABERNETHY.

YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK.

WATCH US ANYTIME ON THE PBS APP FOR iPHONES AND iPADS.

THERE IS ALSO MUCH MORE ON OUR WEBSITE, WHERE YOU CAN LISTEN TO OR WATCH EVERY PROGRAM.

JOIN US AT PBS.ORG/RELIGIONETHICS.

AS WE LEAVE YOU, MORE MUSIC FROM KIRK FRANKLIN.

♪♪1Xh3ñQó+N ♪♪ THAT'S WHY WE'RE YOUR RETIREMENT COMPANY.