As part of the Feminism & Christianity course I'm taking this quarter, we write brief responses to the readings, posing questions for class discussion. This particular reflection stirred some interesting conversation among my classmates so I thought I'd share it here.
In his article, “Black Theology and Solidarity,” James H. Cone discusses the emergence of Black Theology, which came about not in the universities and seminaries, but through political struggle for racial liberation and the civil rights movement. He also illustrates some of the beliefs of Black Theology, emphasizing justice for all races and the liberation from oppression preached in the “good news” of Christ. In addition, he discusses Black Theology’s connection to Third World Theologies and the growth of “Womanism” from black women’s rejection of patriarchy in Black Theology. During his discussion of Black Theology he states that it “was defined largely by Martin Luther King, Jr., when he and other Black church people began to relate the gospel to the struggle for justice in North American society. The majority of White theologians denied [this] relationship [and] claimed that politics did not mix” (38). Having grown up in a conservative Southern Baptist environment, I was never quite sure the political stance of our church until election year came around, and even then there were brief suggestions (usually by deacons) to “pray for wisdom at the polls.” Many "white" churches still seem to hold on to this idea that politics and church do not mix, but I can only count on my hand the number of church sanctuaries I’ve been to that didn’t have an American flag stationed below the cross. Is the inclusion of the American flag not considered a political gesture and stance when displayed within a church?
It seems to me that lots of white churches are political. There are tons of Christians and churches that seem to back the Republican party. There are also Christians who hugely back the democratic party and both can tend to use Christianity for support.
ReplyDeleteI think the real problem is that people in and outside the church are often scared to really address justice and mercy. I think this is part of why so many Christians focus on God's love or wrath more than on his desire for justice and mercy. It's frightening because it makes us aware of our responsibility to care for and not just about others. I think the thing we all run from the most is responsibility. Both because feeling responsible for things can lead to guilt but most of all because it makes us aware of how our actions may need to change.
I think the opposition Cone met was just a smoke screen. But also maybe a reaction to his extremism. Black Theology can focus WAY too much on BLACK. They can say that the term is supposed to be a catch all but it's too reductionistic and assumes that all suffering is black suffering. All injustice is black injustice. That makes me cringe. Not because of guilt but because it is utterly untrue and replaces one tyriany with another.
Thank you for your thoughtful insights here, Lindsey. I do agree that there are examples of politics in church outside of the black community, I just wasn't really aware of it growing up so much in the Bible Belt of Southwest Virginia. And I'm saddened that more people aren't standing up against injustices (especially considering the working poor) in that area.
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