Background Information
The definition of Christianity is highly contested, but generally speaking, it is broadly defined as a monotheistic religious group practicing various forms of devotion to Jesus of Nazareth, who is venerated as a historical figure and deity. As Christianity has spread through many different cultures, the teachings of Jesus have come to be interpreted in several ways, resulting in a diverse set of faith traditions. The term “slave religion” has been used to describe Christianity in an effort to explain how Christian teachings helped reinforce and preserve the institution of slavery in civilizations such as the United States, Brazil, and the Caribbean.
Perspectives of Experts
The debate surrounding whether or not Christianity is a slave religion is a complex one, and involves numerous views and interpretations. Historians and theologians alike have offered their own perspectives on the matter. It is important to note that while some view the religion altogether as a tool of the oppressor, others emphasize its capacity to provide comfort and agency to slaves.
For example, historian Albert Raboteau suggests that, instead of being a religion born out of slavery, Christianity offered comfort, hope and resistance to African-American slaves. It was a place for them to find solace, build relationships and muster strength during some of the most dire times. Historian Vincent Harding similarly emphasizes the importance of Christianity in supporting slave resistance, such as with the Underground Railroad, and providing individuals with a sense of identity and comfort during such exploitative times. Megan Duong, a theologian, similarly stresses the power of Christianity, noting that some enslaved people turned to scripture to find comfort.
Yet, there are times when Christianity has been used as a tool to uphold enslavement. Historian James H. Cone argues that Christianity has been instrumental in helping to establish and uphold white supremacy throughout American history. He argues that white Christianity has actively perpetuated the institutional racism that most African- Americans continue to face.
Data and Analysis
It is undeniable that slavery has been condoned and sometimes even encouraged through the teachings of Christianity. But it is also important to emphasize the power of Christianity in providing hope and a sense of identity to previously oppressed individuals. Many African-Americans who practiced Christianity found solace in scripture, particularly in the Old Testament. For example, in Exodus, which tells the story of God liberating the Israelites from Egypt, could be seen as a moment of hope for black slaves who sought to free themselves from bondage.
Moreover, it is often forgotten that many slave owners who identified in Christianity felt those teachings should abolish slavery or, at the very least, encourage the humane treatment of slaves. In the United States for instance, religious groups such as the Quakers, Presbyterians and Methodists, among others, worked tirelessly to abolish slavery and to support the African- Americans who had been enslaved.
Race and Religion
One also cannot downplay the role of race in helping to determine how one’s relationship to Christianity is shaped. What is often forgotten is that Christianity is not a monolith; while it may be viewed as a tool of the oppressor in some cases, it has also provided solace and hope in other cases. Accordingly, one’s race and the contexts in which they experienced Christianity has determined how they and others perceive it.
For example, many African- Americans saw Christianity as a way to both resist their oppressors and to embrace a new identity, particularly in cases where African- Americans were prevented from practicing indigenous African religions. Historian Johnnie Allen further explains that enslaved African- Americans often decided to practice Christianity because it allowed them to create associations with white churches and to build relationships with one another, thus providing them with a sense of solidarity that was often difficult for them to find in their daily lives.
Social Change
Many would argue that one of the greatest benefits provided by Christianity to African-Americans during slavery and beyond is the power to bring about social change. Throughout history, African- Americans have used Christianity to mobilize people to fight against discrimination and to gain greater freedom and equality. For example, during the Civil Rights Movement, Christian leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Ralph Abernathy mobilized thousands of people to fight for civil rights and integration. Moreover, the rise of the Black church as a powerful institution helped shape the trajectory of civil rights activists and enabled African- Americans to gain a greater sense of autonomy and self-determination.
The church also provided African- Americans with a sense of community, friendship and support during the challenges they faced. Despite the fact that many African- Americans were prevented from attending white churches due to racism, the Black church served as a refuge from the oppressive forces of discrimination.
God and Suffering
Lastly, Christian theologians have long argued that slavery was an impediment to African-American growth and called for God to be present in the midst of slavery’s oppression. John Calvin captures this sentiment in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, in which he states:
“that since it is intolerable to attempt to be exempt from the common lot of humanity, we ought reasonably to acquiesce in the appointment of God, that all men should not be equally prosperous.”
Calvin’s point is that African- Americans (and anyone suffering) must rely on their relationship with God desiring to stay steadfast during hardships and trusting that God has plans for them.
Religion and Resistance
While some have argued that Christianity is a religious tool of the oppressor, it is undeniable that the faith has also provided agency and comfort among slave populations in various countries. It is often forgotten that Christians actively used their faith to abolish or mitigate the impact of slavery during the 1800s and beyond. During the African- American slave population in the United States, Christians were instrumental in the Underground Railroad, which helped many to escape enslavement.
Moreover, there were also individuals such as Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth whose faith helped them fight against bondage and provided them with the courage to continue marching despite the numerous difficulties they faced.
Religion and Discrimination
Yet, even to this day, fundamentalist and white evangelical Christians often seeks to preserve the notions of race, class and gender-based hierarchy and oppression. For example, many in these communities continue to stress the need to maintain the “traditional” family unit, which often remains a source of violence for gender-oppressed populations such as women and LGBTQ communities.
Such views have been used to oppress and other communities, and have inspired countless discriminatory laws. As a result, Christianity has become ensnared in a web of cultural and theological biases that have been difficult to untangle.
Theology and Racism
In addition to the discrimination that continues to plagued by some fundamentalist Christian groups, many skeptic of the faith often cite its implications for absorbing racist and oppressive ideas as a major issue. For example, some have argued that belief in original sin is underpinned by a theology of race, suggesting that one is born sinful due to their racial identity.
That said, it is also important to emphasize how some theologians have sought to reform these faulty interpretations of scriptural teachings and to emphasize the power of grace, love and compassion in terms of race and identity. For example, members of the African-American church community often utilized civic and political actions to mobilize for social change and to better the lives of their people.
A Cultural Tool
All in all, it is undeniable that Christian teachings have sometimes been used as a tool of subjugation and oppresion. Yet, Christianity has also been used as a powerful tool to empower and to provide hope. African-Americans who practiced Christianity utilized the faith to advance their freedom and to create solidarity amongst themselves during some of the bleakest times in our history.
Moreover, Christianity provided them with a sense of pathway to resist and to seek justice. As the debate surrounding Christianity and slavery continues to be discussed, it is vital to understand how the faith has been utilized as a cultural tool to both advance and oppress people in various contexts.
