religious bigotry critical analysis

Religious Bigotry Critical Analysis 1

Religious Bigotry Critical Analysis

The University of South Carolina

Farris Jones


Before this class began, Christian privilege is the only form of oppression that I

believed to have experienced personally. The oppression that I have felt for being Atheist is

nothing very serious; but I have taught myself over the years to leave the fact that I am not

Christian a secret in order to avoid judgment from others. I will even go as far as to lie

about my beliefs and pretend that I am a Christian in many social circumstances; these

circumstances seem to occur quite often. Even when asked in class to raise our hands if we did

not identify as a Christian, I did not participate (just by habit). I have been conditioned to “go

with the flow.”

I can very much relate to the atheists in the reading by Nowicki (2008), especially when

she names the misconceptions about atheists to be “satanists, immoral, or dumb” (p. 297). These

seem to be the common interpretations people have of me if they know the truth about my

beliefs. The effects of Christian privilege that I often experience are not really a big deal for me

since it is easy for me to pass as a Christian and avoid conflict on the matter. However, I do

agree with the statement that that Christian privilege is an “unmarked category in need of

marking” (Kanye), since many people in America are not Christian or Atheist and may

experience much more difficulty in regards to their beliefs.

When I think about what oppression means, I often think about one of my crazy uncles –

a member of my family whom I have never really gotten along with. He acts as though he is the

perfect example of a Christian and by doing so he must hate any other form of belief. I remember

when I was younger (maybe in middle school) and he was on a rant telling me that all Muslims

were out to kill American Christians and that we should “watch out” for all Muslims in America

and work to get rid of the mosque in Columbia (he is not very intelligent or kind). Although I

was only in middle school, the interactions I had had with Muslims were very normal and good


ones. I decided from that point on that my uncle was oppressive and mean and that nothing he

said was true.

If this is not an example of oppression then I do not know what is. And since I believe

that this experience is a strong example of oppression I also believe that the effects of Christian

privilege is an unmarked category of oppression in need of marking. Throughout history,

hundreds of terrible wars were waged and numerous horrific events were cause by religion and

varying beliefs. This theme (although not as drastic) plays true today in America. Joshi (2006)

describes how “Christian groups have the power to define normalcy” (p. 252), and they certainly

do. Christianity can be a great and beautiful thing; though since Christianity is the majority and

norm of this country, it is inevitable that those of the religious minority will experience

oppression.

Through Schlosser’s (2003) list of Christian privilege, and the exercise we did in class, I

began to realize how normal Christian practices really are in this country. I almost feel guilty that

I did not realize these securely woven privileges of Christianity in American culture; I almost

feel like I am taking advantage of them – I benefit from blending into them in order to not suffer

from going against them – even though it is not my faith (I am living a lie!). I cant imagine how

uncomfortable and even threatening it would be to practice a different faith in this country – half

of the year is centered around the birth of Jesus or his resurrection, prayers are said in countless

public places, and overall, a strong air of Christian judgment lingers everywhere in America for

those who are not Christian. Personally, I don’t feel like this is tolerable – America was founded

on the basis of freedom of religion, this freedom should come with the freedom of oppression

based on any sort of religious practice or belief.


Another important point that I wanted to mention, and I don’t mean this in an insulting

way, is that from an outside perspective (as in outside of religious belief) all religions come

across as equally incredible. In the reading by Joshi (2006), he describes how in America,

Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism are perceived as not believable when compared to the Christian

norm (p. 253). Joshi (2006) states “the beliefs of other religions are viewed as silly (at best) or

heretical (at worst); they are branded with the more dismissive terminology of ‘myth’ or

‘superstition’” (p. 254). I find this to be completely true in America; Christianity is so

normalized in our society that Americans perceive it as fact (without question) and perceive

other religions as fiction. This inevitably leads to oppression and harassment on the grounds that

other people are practicing faiths that are make believe. I am here to tell you objectively, as

someone with no religious belief or practices, that all religions appear to be equally fictional (and

strikingly similar). Basically, I am trying to say that all religions are equally as crazy so we

might as well all get along so we don’t become oppressive over the fact that one faith is more

“factual” than the other.

Before, I did not sympathize with the story of the professor who did not attend graduation

ceremonies based on the fact that a Christian prayer was said. I thought “hey – just go along with

the norm, that is what I do” and “it’s just a short prayer, it is not like it will harm anyone.” After

further consideration, I realized that that it is one of many symbols of Christian privilege in

America; those who are not Christian should not be forced to adhere to the norm when it goes

against their beliefs or suppresses who they really are. At this point, I greatly respect the fact that

this professor is speaking out against the oppression that exists in our society; something I am

too fearful to do in light of the judgment that is surely to occur. I feel like it is actions like these


that people should take (including myself) in order to fight oppression (especially social

workers).

In comparison to racism, sexism, or heterosexism (forms of oppression that some

consider to be more serious) I think that the effects of Christian privilege in America can be just

as detrimental for religious minorities. This statement goes along with one of the themes in class,

that one form of oppression is not more serious than another (there is no hierarchy of

oppression), which has held true for me. Maybe I am biased on the matter based on the fact that I

have personally felt the effects of Christian privilege – from having to hide whom I really am, to

having a best friend who was Mormon and seeing the hateful comments she often received, to

attending a Catholic high school that stuck me as a promoter of oppression, to numerous other

religiously oppressive situations. I believe that Christian privilege in America presents harmful

effects on the well being of others. For this reason, I believe it is our duty to try and fight this

form of oppression, just like it is our duty to fight something like racism or sexism.


Critical Analysis (2 to 5 pages)

Grading Criteria

Total points (100 pts max) _______99___________

1. Format (5pts) __5__a. Paper used “standard form.” Specifically, paper satisfied

requirements for spacing, font, margins, pagination, length, etc.

2. Quality a. Free of grammatical and spelling errors? Clarity – are points clearly and logically made? Is the paper well-organized? Is the paper free of expressive quotes? Merely repeating content of the readings or video(s)? Depth of reflection? Thoughtfulness? Critical self-reflection? If critical of a position, was an alternative position presented and well-articulated? Overall quality.

(50pts) __49__

3. ContentWere major components of the paper satisfied? (45pts) __45__

a. Answered required question #1 (15pts) _15___

a. Other criteria *Discussion of the 3 readings, and videos, and/ or class discussion? *Addressed how readings, class discussion, and/ or videos illuminated the issue of Christian privilege for you *Discussion of how your own identities (as a target or agent) may be shaping your reactions and learning process about Christian privilege (30pts) __30__

This is a very thoughtful and reflective paper. Good job!

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