Investigating Christian Privilege and Religious Oppression in the United States

Edited by Warren J. Blumenfeld, Khyati Y. Joshi, Ellen Fairchild

ABOUT THE BOOK
Investigating Christian Privilege and Religious Oppression in the United States addresses Christian privilege as well as religious oppression since the two are in symbiotic relationship: oppression toward non-Christians gives rise to Christian privilege in the United States, and Christian privilege maintains oppression toward non-Christian individuals and faith communities. This anthology also provides historical and contemporary cases exposing Christian privilege and religious oppression on the societal, institutional, and personal/interpersonal levels. A number of chapters include sections suggesting change strategies, and in particular, ways to achieve the national goal of religious pluralism in the United States.

Read more

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction vii

Section I: Historical Perspectives
Chapter 1: Christian Privilege in the United States: An Overview 
Warren J. Blumenfeld

Chapter 2: The Treaty of Tripoli and the Myth of a Christian Nation 
Hector Avalos

Section II: Theoretical and Conceptual Foundations
Chapter 3: The Racialization of Religion in the United States 
Khyati Y. Joshi

Chapter 4: So, Why This Fracas over Marriage? And, What Might It Tell Us about “America” as a “Christian” Nation? 
Jennifer Harvey

Chapter 5: Implications and Complications of Faith-Based Initiatives for Educational Programs 
Miriam Singer

Section III: Cases in Point
Chapter 6: Clash over the Crosses: Las Cruces New Mexico – Preserving “Our Cultural Heritage” or Maintaining Christian Hegemony 
Lisa M. Weinbaum

Chapter 7: When a Safe Space becomes an Oppressive Space: Christmas in a Cultural Center 
Mamta Motwani Accapadi

Section IV: Education and Pedagogy
Chapter 8: Christian Teachers and Christian Privilege 
Jason Nelson

Chapter 9: “I Believe” in Education 
Ellen E. Fairchild