The American Church's Complicity in Racism: A Conversation with Jemar Tisby

[guillaumeb]

From the article:

The fraught racial history of the United States has infiltrated and influenced all of its institutions, including the Christian church. Though certain figures and movements did join the struggle against slavery, segregation, and violence at various times and places, the majority of white American Christendom fell somewhere on the spectrum between open endorsement and quiet acceptance. Today, as debates over racism continue to dominate our national conversations and controversies, religious influence remains central to the context.


In his new book, The Color of Compromise, Jemar Tisby surveys this history with an eye toward the innumerable moments when white American Christians could have interceded on behalf of racial justice, but did not. Taken together, he argues, from the founding of the United States to the present, these moments constitute an ignominious timeline spanning four centuries of suffering, so that today’s headlines are connected to seemingly ancient atrocities. By the end, it is clear that past and current events retain a striking similarity regarding the church and race.

To read more:

https://religionandpolitics.org/2019/04/02/the-american-churchs-complicity-in-racism-a-conversation-with-jemar-tisby/

[trotsky]

1. Also worth noting:

JT: Martin Luther King Jr. once said that, when it came to issues of justice, the church was often the taillight rather than the headlight in society. By that, he meant that the church often followed along after changes in the racial status quo were already taking place in different arenas, from politics to entertainment to corporations, and that’s what we often see throughout U.S. history. Though many Christians were actively engaged in struggles for racial equality, they tended to be in the minority. The majority of white Christians, at least, did change, but only as the national sentiment was already moving toward more openness and more equality. The change was slow and a little reluctant.

The reason why racism and the Christian church have such a long history is that racism is not only found in the bible, but supported by it. The same character that says "love your neighbor" also gives instructions for beating one's slaves. The "mark of Cain" was interpreted by many Christian sects as a reason to be prejudiced against those with darker skin color. It is important not to disregard these historical realities and push the notion that the religion and its foundational text are pure and perfect, and it's only bad people who are responsible for all racism.

[Act_of_Reparation]

3. You're reading it wrong.

Because I don't like the way you're reading it.

[trotsky]

4. You also need to throw in something about a formal assertion...

as if we were in a official debate session or a courtroom, and by failing to adhere to the queen's rules on debate, I therefore forfeit, nana nana boo boo.

[Major Nikon]

5. So long as there are secular organizations perpetuating racism....

It’s impossible for religion to be blamed.

[guillaumeb]

6. I agree.

And if you find any posts that support your point:

It is important not to disregard these historical realities and push the notion that the religion and its foundational text are pure and perfect, and it's only bad people who are responsible for all racism.

please highlight them for us all.

[trotsky]

7. Absolutely!

Just go to this link and click the Search button to see a bunch from the past year.

You're welcome!

[guillaumeb]

8. If this is your best, understood,

So, in essence, you have no actual evidence as understood in a legal or scientific sense.

[trotsky]

9. Yep, tons of evidence in there backing up everything I've said.

Feel free to peruse at your leisure!

I am now putting forth exactly as much effort as you've ever shown for me. Annoying, isn't it?

[guillaumeb]

10. Again, nothing.

And that is the problem with making sweeping accusations. Absent evidence, they show much about the accuser and nothing about the accused.

[trotsky]

11. To the contrary, a treasure trove of evidence presented directly to you.

You can insult me as much as you want, but you are only insulting yourself.

[Lordquinton]

16. Backing you up 100%

on both the posts existing, and the amount of effort put forth.

Plus there is the fact that he's used those demands to them go and delete said posts, then act as if he didn't do anything wrong.

[guillaumeb]

12. How convincing.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/

[trotsky]

13. You're re-responding to the same posts again.

Are you OK, g?

[guillaumeb]

14. Remove the beam.

[trotsky]

15. Come over here and I'll help pull it out of your eye.

Until then, you should really stop judging people.

[MineralMan]

2. Ignominious, indeed.

Apparently, religion is not necessarily a force for good, eh? Just as we have been saying all along...