How The Paths Of Religion And Racism

The book has as its principal thesis the consideration of race as “a folk classification, a product of popular beliefs about human differences that evolved from 16th to 19th centuries” (Smedley, 2007, pag.24). The book also specifies three characteristics that distinguish the racial ideology in America: the absence of a category for biracial people, the homogenization of the black or African American Americans, and the impossibility to change a person’s race. (Smedley, 2007, pag.7)

Throughout American history, relationships between racial and ethnic groups have been marked by antagonism, inequality, and violence. In today’s complex and fast-paced society, historians, social theorists and anthropologists have been known to devote significant amounts of time examining and interrogating not only the interior climate of the institutions that shape human behavior and personalities, but also relations between race and culture. It is difficult to tolerate the notion; America has won its victory over racism. Even though many maintain America is a “color blind nation,” racism and racial conflict remain to be prevalent in the social fabric of American institutions. As a result, one may question if issues and challenges

The most important theme in this book was the trials and tribulations of racism because it was woven in every part of the plot, it contributed to the conflict and resolutions, and gave the story a connection to current events, helping the reader’s comprehension.

Racism can be defined by the formula prejudice + power = racism. Racism is when racial prejudice is turned into action that harms others. Racism is the belief that one race of people is superior to another because of their colour or race. Racism is simply based on the colour of a person's skin. Racism is destructive and it disembowels people by shattering their identity.

Dr. Terrell's central thesis is to address the challenges of racist anthropological assumptions, still used to justify and maintain white privileges. Although the biblical paradigm of the Exodus and the proclamation of Jesus claim that “the Spirit of the Lord is upon me … to proclaim release to the captives … to set at liberty those who are oppressed … to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” (Lk 4:18ff.).

The term “white messiah” is crucial to understand, to realize why racism is still prevalent in the American culture. In a New York Times article written by David Brooks titled “The Messiah Complex,” Brooks discusses the typical progression of the “white messiah” while comparing it to “Avatar.” The “white messiah” story begins with

In the book God and Race in American Politics, Mark Noll makes his thesis very clear. Noll states that “First, race has always been the most influential elements in American political history, and in many periods absolutely the most influential. Second, religion has always been crucial for the workings of race in American politics.” He proceeds to describe in detail how both of these thoughts make the decisions of Americans, and they go on to determine this powerful political influence. In American politics, we have yet to see a time where these two factors did not determine major political decisions. Throughout the book Noll continues to reveal

In his book, Jenson reviews the history of racism in the United States and its evolution into a closeted mentality, which still holds a power over many non-white citizens. It is this subtle power relationship

In this journal article, Xolela talks about the problem of racism rising not only in the United States but also in the country of South Africa. Xolela talks about the election of Donald Trump and how him wanting to get rid of immigrants is not because of his hatred for Hispanics, but this is a way of justifying racism for white priveledge. Xoxlela also touches upon the topics of the transition from religious racism to the use of skin color to create slavery after it became harder and harder for Christians to justify slavery amongst themselves. Xolela’s argument is that if people understand the ways racism developed through history and how it continues to grow we can draw intersectional solidarities to stop it. This article will support my

Duriez, B., & Hutsebaut, D. (2000). The relation between religion and racism: the role of post-

In this short extract, the hatred in the lines radiates off the page. The reader is given a clear picture of how Racial discrimination was so evident in those days. The hostility and hatred between Christians and Jews is very well presented and written. It allows the reader to further understand how life was back then and how it may or may not have changed. The author’s use of language and literary devices was cleverly used to show the reader what he was trying to

Racism is a persistent issue directly threatening the values and teachings of Catholic theology and humanities advancement towards unity and peace. A destructive ideology such as racism debunks the entire foundation from which Catholicism is built. Catholicism follows the life and teachings of Jesus and the idea of solidarity, one of seven principals of Catholic Social Teaching; preaching for a single human family despite any national, racial, ethnic, economic, or ideological differences. Accepting or remaining silent when presented with an act of racial discrimination is equally as damaging as committing the act itself, as it contributes to an environment tolerant of racial prejudices. The Catholic church and its followers have a duty to acknowledge racism to its fullest extent and provide resolution. Through a collective stance against racism between the Catholic establishment and society while simultaneously providing education on the issue with realistic solutions, a progressed cultural environment can ultimately be developed that is reluctant to condone racism and all associated ideologies, utilizing peace, unity, and Catholic values as its foundational core.

Religion in the modern world is inescapable. Even if an individual does not consider oneself to be “religious” they are constantly surrounded by its presence due to the influence religion has had on society. Even though the United States proclaims in the constitution that individuals have the freedom to practice their own religion, in many cases the minority religions are belittled and the individuals who practice those religions are disproportionately prosecuted. This is the case seen in the the novel The Plague of Doves written by Louise Erdrich, when four Indian men are hung because of their beliefs. Now this behavior in the United States is denied because it is assumed that all americans stand by the “equality” of the constitution. Whereas in other countries, such as in Latin America, there are not necessarily constitutions to openly defile but minorities are still oppressed because of their religion. Oppression of the indigenous peoples, because of their religious beliefs, is seen in the novel Deep Rivers by Jose Maria Arguedas. These novels entwine religion and its oppressive power by illustrating the individual components of oppression: the oppressors, those being oppressed, and how opression still resonates in society.

I have come to learn that Theology is about investigating orthodoxy so that we could speak of, worship, and know a consistent God of all things. For our investigative work, Saint Athanasius lays a beautiful concrete foundation. In On the Incarnation, he guides the gentile through their purpose, wrongdoing, and redemption, while revealing the nature of God. Athanasius outlines and fills in many theological circles and addresses several contradictions of the Christian faith by turning them around and proving God’s consistency. Building on and complementing this foundation, James Cone writes about race and oppression in his article “Who is Jesus Christ for us Today?”

hooks examines the theoretical positions that address racism but are lacking. First, she presents black theologian James Cone’s standpoint: “Cone calls upon whites, blacks, and all other non-black groups to stand against white supremacy by choosing to value, indeed to love, blackness” (hooks 11). Like hooks, Cone expresses the need to embrace blackness. To achieve this, Cone demanded the need to deconstruct whiteness. He did not reinforce the common belief that if people ignored differences between races that racism would disappear. Instead, he argued that