This chapter takes an interesting look at the history of racism in the church. First it defines racism as, “the ideology that maintains that a group should be subordinated due to the alleged genetic or cultural inferiority (pg. 295).” As I read through this, I was struck with a couple of things. First, there is no strong admonition against slavery in the Bible. There is, rather, a focus on equality. It is interesting to see how we have gone through periods in time where different applications have been made using these passages. “The curse of Ham” is a phrase you may have heard about. It is the basic scripture that was used to justify slavery and later, under the Jim Crow laws, even segregation. During my teenage years, in the 60’s (I know, that dates me!), this still existed. One Christian college I visited as a high school senior had clearly defined laws of segregation for their white and black students. That included no inter-racial dating. These rules were justified using some of the scriptures used in this chapter. I especially like the section on A Christian Response. The author calls for use to “face squarely the inescapable fact that to do nothing about the system and its unintended consequences is to perpetuate its consequences (pg. 307).” I believe we have a biblical obligation to diligently study our social system, as our author states, so that we can be better informed about issues such as this. But beyond knowledge, there must be some action. Once we know the problem exists, we are called to be agents of change. That is why I believe it is important to engage in a discussion of our white privilege and how it has affected relationships even within the community of believers. I am hopeful that discussion will lead to action or else this is all just an effort in futility.
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35 responses so far ↓
michael schoonover // January 29, 2007 at 11:36 pm
This issue of racism in the church has been made known to me before this chapter. My grandmother is a devote Christian, but by the things she says and does around African Americans, I know she is racist to some extent. This includes how she acts around African American Christians, which I know she was taught through her church when she was growing up. I feel as Christians we need to not be ignorant of issues like this, and God commands us to be “agents of change” as Professor Warner said. It is a little shocking to think that years ago some white Christians would put aside the Bible’s teaching of equality for their personnal prejudice and teach that in the church.
Kelsey Freed // January 30, 2007 at 12:10 am
I believe that racism still exists within the church today. In my opinion, it is sad that people who claim to be Christians are quick to look down on those of another race when I believe that the Bible is quite clear that all of us have been created by God and are loved by Him. Since, in my opinion, the Bible clearly states that all men are created equal in God’s sight, we as Christians should reach out to all people and show everyone around us a glimpse of God’s love. I don’t believe that God wants to Church to be ignornant of issues like this that are going on in society. Instead, we should allow God to work through us to bring about His will. I think it is sad that so many Christians appear to blatanly forget the truth that all men are created equal in God’s sight in an attempt to justify their personal feelings of hatred towards people of other races.
Daniel Cho // January 30, 2007 at 2:53 am
I have some experiences of being a ‘foreigner’. When I was about 9 my family moved to Germany. We were surprised that we were the first Asians that came to the town, named Pesch, Cologne. Of cource I was the only non-German student during my 3 years of elementary school. I felt some discrimination and racism that the students and even the teachers had. In my Recommendation for my school was a sentence that I could not forget for a while.
My teacher worte : ‘This Asian boy is creative but does seldom express his thoughts.”
As a Christian, we could see the other ethnic group as brothers and sisters, because our last commandment.
Go and preach the gospel to all nation.
Especially, I tought about experencing other culture is a great thing to have a wider worldview. for example if we go to mission trips we have to adapt ourselves to the other culture.
Thus, before we talk about judging racism, studying the Bible and experiencing other culture(directly or indirectly) will be a proper way to build our worldview on racism.
Justine Ross // January 30, 2007 at 4:01 am
I really enjoyed this chapter because the things it said were so true and I think its so easy for Christians to say that they have a problem with it but then do nothing. At home, my mom would always talk about how she was against racism and she would claim that the only reason the black people were poor was because they were lazy and stuff like that…is that not racism? Where we grew up when it was very blatant and obvious that racism did occur and it could not have been that the little black kids who were treated differently, had no money because they were lazy. I think this chapter brought up a lot of really good things for Christians to think about. Can we really say we are against racism if we do nothing to stop it?
Justine Ross // January 30, 2007 at 4:05 am
ok, i know i went all over the place with my thoughts in my last post but i was just thinking about so much at once. let me try to summarize…
1. Christians, too easily say that they are aware of racism but then do nothing about it.
2. Christians are really quick to say that people have put themselves in the situations they are in but in the bible it says NOT to judge others but to help them irregardless.
3. I think ignorance is a good excuse but I don’t think people can really claim that they don’t know what is going on unless they live in the bubble of Cedarville University all their lives…which isn’t possible.
4. I think Christians rather say that people have placed themselves in the situations they are in due to bad choices because it gives them an excuse to not act.
Amanda Beesley // January 31, 2007 at 1:26 am
When I was younger, I was never really exposed to racial issues. Which I think “race” is the wrong term to use. Hearing from my dad and also from my social movements class, we are all one race. If you are a Christian then you believe that we all are descendants of Adam and Eve, so how can there be different races? Since I was old enough to remember, I have never seen discrimination in my school or church. We have always had many different ethnic couples and families in our church. Practically all my friends are from a different culture, and I’ve never even thought to view them as a lesser human being then myself. I was never exposed to the harsh reality of racism in our country, and I believe the main reason is because I was never really taught. I do think that we as Christians need to be educated about the different issues going on in our world. As Professor Warner was saying, we not only need know about these issues, but we need to do something about them.
Charissa Rowe // January 31, 2007 at 2:01 am
I think that most of us would agree that racism is wrong, according to the Bible. I think that most of us would even agree that segregation is wrong (even though there are New Testament passages that seem to say that slavery is acceptable as long as slaves are treated properly). But this chapter really made me think about something that I’ve struggled with since I was a child. Why are a lot of our churches still segregated? I’m from Ann Arbor, Michigan, which is a fairly diverse city. However, growing up, I would hear the phrases “white church” or “black church” in Christian circles. This always confused me. I had always been taught that there is “neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free… we are all one in Christ,” but it sure didn’t seem to be that way. Over the years, my church has become more and more diverse, and it’s been so awesome to watch what people from different cultures bring to the body of Christ. I guess the point I’m trying to make is that the book talked about actually doing something with the information we have received, and one way we can do that is by starting with the church.
Angela Horning // January 31, 2007 at 9:03 pm
I have not been around people from different races very much until I came to college, however, even here there is not a wide variety of nationalities. I grew up in New York and the only African Americans I saw were in the Army and the only Hispanics I saw were farm workers. I have always known about racism but I have never really experienced it… I have never personally seen or heard anyone who was a racist. So, I can’t say to much of what I have seen and observed on that subject. I do know though, that as Christians we are commanded to “love one another as we love ourselves…” God didn’t say love only the other white people or love only the African Americans, Asians, or Hispanics…ect. He says to “love one another” and I don’t think that we can do that unless we treat everyone equally and we don’t look down on one another because of skin color.
Kristen Doles // January 31, 2007 at 10:10 pm
First, I am sickened by the fact that racism and segregation still occurs in the church, whether it’s either implied or stated. The church is the body of Christ, regardless of skin color. There aren’t two bodies with Christ operating in two different systems. So why do people feel the need to seperate themselves within the church. Obviously, to do so is hypocritical and there is enough hypocrisy in the church without including the issue of race relations. The church I attend now is very much diversified, and it is so interesting just to see how God has created us all with different gifts and abilities, no matter what country our ancestors came from…
I think it’s time that Christians do take a stand against racial inequality, and it should start with the church family!
Ben Nesbitt // February 1, 2007 at 12:39 am
Racism is as old as there have been different races. It is now a natural human behavior. People gravitate to others that look, act, dress, speak, and have the same interests as they do. Humans just do. So while I would not go as far as our esteemed teacher, Dr. Warner would about interacting with those of a different race it does have to a conscience effort made on your part.
Ben Nesbitt // February 1, 2007 at 12:49 am
Oops I hit the post button by accident
Of course the church was racist, incase you haven’t noticed it is made up of a run by depraved human beings. Then the church was racist now it has homosexual priests. So knowing that at one time the church was racist, how will that change you? No really I want to know. Will it have any impact on your life?
Sarah Bresson // February 1, 2007 at 1:40 am
It is sad to think that racism still happens in the church. We, as Christians, need to set an example for people to know that we accept everyone; no matter what race they might be. I think it is important to know the issues that occur and to take a stand to do what is right. I look at my grandparents who will make comments that might not be directed towards a certian race but they would be hurtful to some people. It is important to realize what we say and how we treat other people. “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12
Katie McGee // February 1, 2007 at 2:50 am
I understand how wrong racism is anywhere, but especially in the church, because we are suppose to represent Christ and since He is “color-blind” we should be as well. And while we no longer live in an era that will physically kick black people out of a “white church”, we still deal with tense situations once everyone is inside the church. Everytime I am in a situation where I am the only white person in the room (which honestly happens VERY rarely), I become incredibly aware of myself and I’m uncomfortable. Most of the reason for this is because I feel like every other person in the room is also aware that I stand out. So when thinking about this in terms of the church, it seems like the biggest impact we can have in integrating the church is by making every person, regardless of skin color, feel equally welcome. I know it sounds oversimplistic, but I think the ripple effects would bring positive change.
Ruthie Plasterer // February 1, 2007 at 3:57 am
I find the “curse of Ham” rather interesting. I wonder what Ham did to Noah. The book doesn’t say exactly what he did, except showing his brothers Noah’s nakedness.
This is such an important issue for Christians. It’s everywhere! I went to a small predominantly white school. So, my first real interaction with pure ugly racism was at work seeing how people interacted with my mentor, Suzanne, when they found out she was married to a black man. Many wouldn’t talk to her any more or scolded her. She was respectful and her husband handled it so well. It definitely taught me a valuable lesson.
Jihoi Hwang // February 2, 2007 at 5:54 am
Many of my white brothers and sisters do not see racism reality in their personal lives in the church, and therefore exclaim that Black folks are being too sensitive or that racism does not exist simply because such behavior does not happen to them.
What the church needs, in my opinion, is to root out the vestiges of institutional racism in tolerating members who teach hatred about Black people as anything other than brothers and sisters in Christ, and who then blame Black folks for being concerned and disinterested in the faith.
Randi Raimer // February 2, 2007 at 6:57 pm
I grew up in a predominately small white school. We did have a couple African Americans and Mexicans but the majority were white. So although I did encounter some racism there was never an extreme but I knew that there was in other places. I also know that racism still occurs in the church. What I don’t understand is how we as the church can send out missionarys to other countries and have no problems adjusting to their culture, but when it comes to our home land, the U.S., we have a hard time adjusting to the variety of cultures around us and hold racist views among them. I think that we as a church should provide a better example for the others around us in the way we interact with each other.
Emily Broersma // February 2, 2007 at 10:12 pm
One thing that I realized in this chapter was that there really is alot of talk about slavery in the Bible. While God never comes right out to say that slavery is bad, He does say that masters are to be kind to their slaves and treat them fairly. I had never thought about that before. I’m not saying that I think slavery is good, but just observing what the Bible says about it. I also think it is interesting, as Charissa pointed out, that our churches today are still so segregated. I remember hearing that “Sunday morning was the most segregated time of week.” Isn’t it still? I think we need to take steps to change this. As Christians, we should be the ones in the front lines working to help eliminate this segregation.
Caitlin Allen // February 3, 2007 at 7:42 pm
It wasn’t all too long ago that Cedarville University had a policy against inter-racial dating.
When Dr. Murdoch addressed this issue in Social Movements (for me, it was last year), I finally realized how much the Church has failed in the fight against racism. I don’t know why it happens, but when it comes to racism, the Bride of Christ has been and still is content to sit idly by and do nothing.
When I was in South Africa this past summer, one of the things we were confronted with as we learned about the Apartheid was the fact that the Church failed horribly to take a stand. The amazing thing was that, even though we were white Christians entering black communities who had faced the Apartheid, not a single one of those black South Africans held it aginst us. They embraced us and treated us like we were just one of them.
I’m ashamed when I think about the history of racism and specifically the lack of action on the part of the Church, and I think that Dr. Warner is absolutely right – individuals need to start discusing the issue and the things that can be DONE to change it. When individuals start addressing it, only then can the Church be made aware of the fact that it must act.
Caleb Barton // February 4, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Growing up I never lived in a very diverse community or church. We did have one or two African American families in our church or the private school that I attended. Though we never had any issues involving their race, but we also never learned about what made them unique. Also I find that there are issues in the church that are never brought up, and racisim is one of the top social issues that the chruch never addresses. I know that in todays world we feel that we have become more accpeting of different people, but racisim still exists. The church might feel that there is no problem, but the church needs to made aware and become active in the fight against racisim.
Caitlin Hull // February 4, 2007 at 6:13 pm
It had never occurred to me that racism might still exist in churches until I visited a friend in Florida last year. She lives in a mildly “redneck” area. At her church that week, an African children’s choir was performing, and one of her friends consistently made racist jokes about “the little dancing Black kids.” I was surprised, and my friend told me that a significant number of people in her church still hold racist views.
I think a lot of the reason I never thought about racism in the church is because, while a huge number of nationalities are represented in my state, the community in which I grew up consisted almost entirely of Whites. As a result, my church was also mostly White, and I never had any reason to think that racism might still being an issue. I now realize that this is an issue that needs to be addressed in the church. The Gospel was given to ALL people, not all people except African Americans.
David Reke // February 4, 2007 at 7:20 pm
“I believe we have a biblical obligation to diligently study our social system”
This is quite true and should be recognized by more Christians. I remember at my highschool I spent a lot of time studying bullying in my highschool. I also wrote articles to my school paper asking students to not bully each other. As Christians if we see an injustice in our society we should do something about it. Its a shame that more Christians haven’t done this about racism.
Gena Bravick // February 4, 2007 at 7:33 pm
I think it’s interesting to read all of the comments from our class because all of us agree that the Church should not be a place of segregation but of equality before Christ. I think that our generation has the ability to right some of the wrongs that have been done in previous generations. Many of us have commented about how our grandparents still hold racist views. However, instead of these views carrying on from generation to generation, it seems (at least with this class) like we do not possess these same beliefs. We shouldn’t shy away from discussing racial relations or blame blacks for ‘always wanting to talk about it.’ Now that we’ve moved away from a mindset of white superiority, we need to stay on the right path towards building and strengthening relationships between races.
Ashley Gleichauf // February 4, 2007 at 8:23 pm
After reading everybody’s comments from the class, we all agree on equality of different races and cultures and that ones value is not found in their skin color. I also think that a lot of us have been sheltered from a lot of the issues. The way I was taught in the past through my schooling system is that “this is what happened but it’s in the past and let’s keep it there.” Basically, it is an understanding of the situation but the lack of any sort of initiative to actually do something – the idea that it’s easier not to confront the relevance racism still has in our society today. I guess what I am saying is that our beliefs about equality and value shouldn’t just be in our minds but in our actions as well – even if that means the exploration and confrontation of uncomfortable issues in order to “build and strengthen relationships between races” as Gena said above.
Sarah Hamilton // February 4, 2007 at 11:15 pm
I completely agree with this point. So many times we think that we just won’t become part of the problem and everything will be just fine- we are doing nothing wrong, and that extends into issues other than racism as well. However, I completely disagree with this ideology. It is extremely important that we not only keep ourselves from racist attitudes, but also lovingly intervene in situations where we see it happening. If we are not doing this, we are perpetuating the problem and are just as guilty ourselves as those who are carrying out the racist actions.
Dani-Rae Morgan // February 5, 2007 at 2:06 am
After reading other peoples comments, I see myself as lucky that I havent experienced the things that others have concerning racism in the church. My dad is a pastor, and we have major diversity in my church. I think the reason why I have no experienced racism in a church is because of the way I was raised and the fact that I have never been in a different church than in my dads. I also believe I dont experience racism in my church is because I have always been raised with people who have different color skin than me. I think it is a problem from what I can see in the comments, and even though I may be naive about it, I still need to be aware of the problem and do my part to correct it.
Amanda Sutton // February 5, 2007 at 3:46 am
“In fact, Christianity can be (and has been) refashioned into a religious ethos that actually supports a system standing in many ways in opposition to its basic teachings.” (p. 303)
Isn’t it scary that “followers of Christ” can so easily distort the will of God? How many times do we as Christians live life in a pattern we know or are comfortable with, rather than finding out the Truth and living by it? This occurs in many contemporary issues.
Brad Muschott // February 5, 2007 at 4:49 am
When i was growing up, I moved a lot and also got to experience a lot of different churches, but none that seemed to try to segregate whites from blacks or any race for that mannor. I did notice that the whites always out numbered the blacks by a lot. Everyone got along great but i couldn’t help but wonder how it must have felt for a black family to come to a dominantly white church. I guess i finally figured that out a few years ago when i visited a church while i was in the Dominican Republic. I felt very out of place being completly out numbered by black faces. The cool part about it was that by the end of the service, i had met so many nice people there that tried to welcome me to their church, i forgot where i was and what color my skin was. And i think this is how all churches should be.
Chris Travis // February 5, 2007 at 4:53 am
In light of the fact that scripture has been distorted in the past to fit the will of mankind as opposed to that of Christ, I think it is our responsibility as Christians to get others excited about equality through the love of Christ. It should be our goal to press on others the fact that Christ has wonderfully created us in His image, and despite the fact that our skin may be of different colors we are all on this earth for the same purpose; to serve God and to make Him known to others, and race should not be allowed to weaken the ties within the body of Christ; making it harder to honor Him.
Stacie Peden // February 5, 2007 at 5:34 am
I have always really wondered why are churches are segregated, but since reading the chapter, looking at the lynching postcards, and back at our history books. We ourselves have made our churches to be segregated. I feel that will all the events taken place, and how white and blacks were segregated that our churches just became use to it. Which is horrible, I feel like it’s our jobs as Christians to stand as one body in Christ and reach out to all cultures and break the trend that people have not wanted to risk stepping out. I think people today are starting realize that our churches are still segregated and are starting to do something about it. I just hate our history can hold such a strong impact on our society still today and that we as Christians are not making it a point to fit it.
Samantha Coffill // February 5, 2007 at 6:01 am
Racism is a problem in the church. I can’t say that the church in which I grew up in was racist but I know that only white people attend it. I’ve actually noticed that in a lot of the churches I’ve attened. They are usually primarily one race. Even though we are Christians, we still judge others and a form of judging we do is called being racist. We might not do it knowingly but maybe unconsciously. In my hometown church, if a person of a different race were to attend church sunday, all the attention would focus on them. I want to pose a question. When you are at church do you see race or do you see a congregation?
Eric Smith // February 5, 2007 at 2:12 pm
As a church, we are obviously still all sinners and many will struggle with the issue of racism. I think that as Christians, we should set the bar high for tolerance because many people think that Christians are not at all tolerant, (because many of us are unwilling to go up to a stranger and welcome them to our church). We really should try to set the example for treating everyone as equals so that the world can not call us hypocrites.
Laura Cover // February 5, 2007 at 2:23 pm
It is so interesting (and sad) to see how people can twist the Word of God to justify their behaviors. Especially in a culture where things like slavery/segregation were so culturally acceptable, I can see how someone might have been easily manipulated to believe that the Bible supports discriminatory behavior towards blacks. I know that growing up in my church, I was extremely trusting and accepting of what my pastor taught from the pulpit… i would have never second guessed him. I am in no way condoning any type of racism though, as this reasoning still gives no excuse for any type of wrong behavior. It just makes me realize how careful we should be of what we believe. It is so important that we be cautious when interpreting Scripture to think of God’s will and not our own wordly desires.
Emily Santmyer // February 5, 2007 at 3:10 pm
it is really upsetting that racial discrimination is still apart of the christian church today. coming from the south i know what its like to have racial slang all around. the churchs seem to think that in some way what they are saying is biblically right…but in all honesty its not. God loves everybody and we need to get back to that. unfortunately i believe it is human nature to hate someone just for reason of hating them no matter what it is. everyone is gettin discriminated against at some point. we are all sinners, but as christians we should be the ones standing up for the unjustices.
Ryan Hyde // February 5, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Yes, racism in the church has been a huge problem that has to be sorted out quickly. We need to get our views and our belifs straight from the Bible and not from our upbringing. Many of us have atleast one relative, weather they be older or younger, that has racist views and if it is someone that is in the position to influence your thoughts you need to be ready for that. the bible is clear about racism and how we should treat one another and that is how we should live our lives.
Cassandra Dobutovich // February 7, 2007 at 11:48 pm
My parents had never really discussed with me the aspect of racism. My mom and dad both had and still have friends of the African-American descent, Philipino friends, and my dad himself is an immigrant from a 3rd world country. He came from nothing and came to everything here in the states, but it took work. So to me the fact that a school would prevent certain things because of their “race” is absurd. There is one race… The one race created by God called human. It bugs me so much when people use the word race, especially as Chrisitians. If the Bible talks so much about equality, then how by defining people that look different than us and act different than us as race make them appear equal. There is one race, and different ethnicities… people that are white come from all different kinds of backgrounds and will not always mingle well, and the same goes for blacks and hispanics, etc. There is no curse, there is equality that the Lord desires for us to treat others with.