White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America

#religion

Few readers will challenge Butler’s scathing account of evangelical support for slavery, the Lost Cause, Jim Crow, and lynching. Where her argument may get hard for her audience is when she begins to build a pathway from the past to the present, refusing to allow evangelicalism’s old sins to remain old.

Her choice to make Billy Graham the link between past sins and new bigotries seems intentionally provocative, but Butler defends her choice: “The creation of twentieth-century evangelicalism—and its relation to racial politics—are best interpreted through the story of its great representative, Billy Graham, ‘America’s White Jesus’”.

“White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America” by Anthea Butler1 is a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between religion, politics, and racism. Here are some key points from the book:

1. Historical Context:

• White evangelicalism has been deeply entwined with American history, responding to and being influenced by significant eras such as slavery, emancipation, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and the civil rights movement.

• During the buildup to the Civil War, white evangelicals used scripture to defend slavery and support the Confederacy.

• In the twentieth century, they opposed racial equality and civil rights movements, aligning with segregationists.

• More recently, white evangelicals supported policies like the Tea Party, the Muslim ban, and border measures leading to family separation.

1. Racism at the Core:

• Anthea Butler argues that racism is central to conservative evangelical activism and power.

• Evangelical racism, fueled by the benefits of whiteness, has significantly contributed to the fracturing of the American electorate.

• Despite claiming moral values, white evangelicals often support politicians who act immorally by Christian standards.

1. Nationalistic Political Movement:

• Butler contends that evangelicalism functions as a “nationalistic political movement” that upholds the hegemony of white Christian men over others.

• This vision of Christian patriarchy and nationhood shapes their staunch voting bloc in favor of white leadership.

In summary, White Evangelical Racism sheds light on the complex relationship between religion, morality, and racial divisions in America. It calls for a reckoning with evangelicalism’s racial history and its impact on our society23.