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| author |
Tirzah R. Turner
| | title |
Dismantling Foundations of Racism Within White Christianity in the United States: A Survey of Faith-Based, Anti-Racism Education
| | abstract |
The racist roots of white Christianity continue to burrow their way into the fabric of white religious identity in the United States. As a result, white Christians have found themselves at a crossroads: double down on white supremacist ideology with a trajectory of Christian nationalism, ignore the issue altogether, or break the proclivity for silent solidarity and choose a bold anti-racism journey instead. Local clergy find themselves at the forefront of these contrasting choices. History and experience suggest that congregants look to their faith leaders to offer moral and behavioral direction in ways unique to other leaders. What, then, is clergy's responsibility to name the immorality of racism, to educate their congregants, and to engage them in anti-racism dialogue and action? How might they utilize their influence to make transformative congregational and societal change in areas of anti-racism? As political and religious identities continue to intermarry, how do over-taxed religious leaders begin and continue these important conversations? Where might they find training and support? This project first offers a primer on the historical roots of white Christian racism in the United States. It then establishes the need for denominational and congregational anti-racism action, as moral and social imperatives and as a command given by Jesus. Next, a survey of four denominationally based, anti-racism curriculums is offered, including a foundational history, overview, and analysis of each. The author, who serves as the Community Pastor at Crosspointe Church in Cary, North Carolina, developed, executed, and analyzed an anti-racism curriculum for their local church setting. Finally, there is a proposal for future engagement and implementation of local, faith-based anti-racism education. The aim of this project is to provide practical tools for local faith leaders to utilize to begin their own anti-racism journeys with their congregations and for the author to continue this work within their own community.
| | school |
The Theological School, Drew University
| | degree |
D.Min. (2023)
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| advisor |
Kate Ott
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| committee |
Latonya Agard
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| full text | TTurner.pdf - requires Drew uLogin |
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