Christianity, Race, and Politics

Learning How to See with Brian McLaren

Center for Action and Contemplation

Christianity, Religion & Spirituality

4.8 • 748 Ratings

🗓️ 27 May 2022

⏱️ 51 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

On the second episode of this season, Brian is joined by Lisa Sharon Harper and Gigi Ross exploring the many ways colonialism has injected racism into Christianity, politics, and the culture we live in. Utilizing theology, research, and drawing heavily from Lisa's work in her latest book Fortune, this episode offers a gripping examination of slavery’s lingering impact on the shadow of Christianity. Please be advised this episode discusses topics around sexual violence that may elicit difficult emotions and memories for some. Note: This episode was recorded on March 10th, 2022, before the Supreme Court draft opinion potentially overturning Roe vs. Wade was leaked. Some elements of the conversation will reflect this. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here Brian's new book, Do I Stay Christian? can be found here Lisa's book, Fortune: How Race Broke My Family and The World and How to Repair It All can be found here. Everyone who purchases a copy of Brian's new book Do I Stay Christian? from our online bookstore will be invited to participate in an exclusive Community Read-Along on Facebook! There will be discussion questions, prompts, and shared practices as we move through the book each week. The Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) is an educational nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen compassionate engagement in the world. When you purchase this or any other book from our online bookstore you help us to introduce seekers from around the world to the contemplative Christian path of transformation. (Everyone who purchases a copy of Do I Stay Christian? will receive a URL to join the discussion group via email.) Connect with us: We’d love to hear your thoughts, comments or feedback. Send us an email at podcasts@cac.org Center for Action and Contemplation: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Brian McLaren: Website| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Lisa Sharon Harper: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome, everyone. In this episode, we'll be talking about Christianity, race, and politics.
0:07.4	This discussion will take us into the subject of slavery and the violence, including sexual violence,
0:15.3	that is part of that history. We believe this episode is really important, but we're also aware it may not be appropriate
0:24.1	for some listeners.
0:29.6	There's no way to talk about Christianity today, especially in the U.S., but also around the world,
0:37.4	without talking about race and politics.
0:41.3	Many people have tried to define Christianity as spiritual,
0:45.3	as if it were above politics.
0:48.3	That's how I grew up in the 1960s.
0:51.3	But I came to realize that to claim religion was too spiritual for politics,
0:58.5	always empowered the oppressors.
1:02.0	Passages in the New Testament, like 2 Corinthians chapter 5 or Acts chapter 10,
1:08.3	showed that Jesus and Paul had a vision of Christianity that was radically,
1:15.0	scandalously inclusive, that upset social pyramids, that upset prejudices, biases, and bigotry.
1:32.3	And what happened when this message was proclaimed was that old divisions, dividing walls, just dropped away.
1:39.3	I think a lot of us wonder if that legacy can be rediscovered.
1:45.0	Because in the intervening centuries, Christianity has been used as a weapon, not a medicine.
1:54.0	It's been used to further divide people based on race, gender, class, national origin, and other kinds of status.
2:07.6	There is no way to talk about Christianity today, especially in the U.S., but also around the
2:14.1	world, without talking about race and politics.
2:22.3	Listen as I read this passage from Do I Stay Christian?
2:25.3	I'll read it slowly, thoughtfully, so that you can let it echo and resound in your own heart.
	...

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