Presently, America has a racially diverse populace, officially acknowledging 6 main racial groups. These are Blacks/African American, Native Hawaiian, White American, Other Pacific Islander, Alaska Native, and American Indian 1 . According to the US Supreme Court, race is not restricted to Census designations on the question of race, but is applicable to all ethnicities with the inclusion of Arab, Jewish, Irish, Polish, or Italian 2 . Notably, African Americans/Blacks are presently the largest racial minority, followed closely by Hispanics and Latinos.
Historically, in the course of European exploration, American voyagers created an awareness on individuals they came across, but American Indian, African and European races were not present before colonization of the then New World. 3 Groups of heathens and Christians were, at first, the most prominent, and through observations, also included gender roles, material culture, language, subsistence, and appearance. Initially, race referred to a lineage, for instance, a tamed breed or a noble family. Worries over purity blood continued as 18th Century Europeans used the term in describing a global dispersion of individuals.
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In early contemporary world and coming from Iberian Christian and Muslim precedents, Africans were usually presumed to be slaves. 4 As historically recorded, Africans were lawfully enslaved in the colonies just as they had been in Portugal and Spain in the centuries before colonization of the Americas. 5 Notably, a majority of Europeans concentrated more on the skin color, and theories regarding Africans' exterior look were rather old, though exploration of the Americas redesigned ancient nations. Soon, Europeans were discussing African competencies.
Concepts of physical and cultural distinctions often mix with those of hereditary and decent. This was in the course of the 17th Century. 6 The Scriptures also offered a structure for comprehending other questions as well. A good illustration is in the book of Genesis when Ham, Noah's son refused to cover his father's nakedness while Noah was drunk. 7 . Noah then cursed his son's descendants, stating that they would be slaves. Historians connect this particular story to the slavery of Africans.
Discussion
A concentration on lineage soon grew into a significant foundation for the discovery of race. The drive to parse lineage equally was present in stress within 18th Century inherent history which applied 'race' to larger categories of individuals, separating normal intellectual, social, physical, and ethical characteristics. 8 Notably, the initial groupings of diverse countries into solo races can be observed in terms of Africans and their descendants. It is at that point that hypotheses about African, European, and American Indian races came about from previous discriminations and concepts regarding 'blackness' and 'savagery', the various thinkers taking part in explaining non-European minds and bodies by grouping humanity, and the sparse observations of colonists and travelers in possession of direct knowledge. 9
Race in America and the Church
It is interesting to note that before the American Civil War, most churches in the Southern and Northern American were segregated, both lawfully and socially. The very first Black church was established in 1773 in Southern Carolina. 10 In the course of the 19th Century, both the African Methodist Episcopal and African Methodist Episcopal Zion churches were established, and had Black leaders and management of their own property. A majority of White Christians during the 18th Century did not see African Americans as complete humans, believing they actually had no souls. As soon as this perception transformed, White Christians made an effort to change slaves to Christianity, though these slaves refused such change because they feared the slaves revolting. 11
In the South, both Christians and church leaders started to make use of the Bible together with church doctrine to support slavery. For instance, these Southerners argued that Biblical figures actually owned slaves and that slavery allows Blacks to become Christians. 12 Logic behind the justification of slavery was the concept that Christians should concentrate more on evangelism, avoid politics, and adhere to the law. A year prior to the American Civil War, an estimated 11% of Blacks were enrolled in a Christian church.
At the start of the Civil Rights era, there was some pressure from White Christians to integrate churches. However, there was a White backlash against African American growth. 13 Most historians have acknowledged that religion was a key motivator for individuals to support civil rights, as they perceived racism to be unchristian and sinful. Furthermore, a majority of evangelical Christians believed that equality and integration may not be possible. They also believed that the world was spiraling into chaos as a precedent to 'The Second Coming' when Christ would come back to Earth as told in the book of Revelation. 14
Interestingly, racial separation of churches in America is actually a pattern of Christian churches having separated congregations founded on race. Racially separated churches have been present in America since prior to it becoming a nation, lasting through the post-slavery period into the contemporary one. 15 Notably, church segregation in America has had various effects on people together with the large community, including increased separation and racism outside of the church.
Causes of Racism in American Churches
From what has been observed so far, there is a racial separation not only among individual congregations, but at denominational levels as well. 16 Out of the 10 largest denominations in America, 8 are either mainly White or Black. A number of denominations have made it their main aim to increase diversity within the crowds. For instance, Pentecostalism particularly lured African Americans from the South given that the concentration on personal religious experience, rather than religious doctrine or reading text which was the Christian norm during slavery.
Unlike Pentecostals, Baptists are the ones who constitute the largest Black denominational group in America. On the other hand, Catholism have overall been less separated than other denominations. 17 This is because in 1984, American bishops dispatched a letter asking for further inclusion of racial minorities into Catholic churches. A number of reasons can be attributed to reasons why churches in America were segregated. Firstly, there was little pressure from Black Church leaders to have mixed churches. 18 Black leaders opted for separate churches because there was lack of chance to follow up leadership duties in predominantly separated or White churches, for the interests in practicing Christianity in a different way, and the fact that Black churches allowed a location to construct community. 19
Racism has for a long time been enacted against Blacks by White churches, thus causing racial separation of American churches. Various illustrations exist of Black churchgoers being mistreated by White Church leaders, for instance, separated spaces of worship or being served last when receiving Communion. 20 Most likely, majority of churches in America remain separated because communities and the society at large are quite segregated, churches being a mere representation of this. In 1967, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. suggested that the Christian churches have been an accomplice in building racism into the architecture of the American society.
Different Church Perspectives on Racism in America
It is no longer a secret that America has a long history of racism. It is also not a secret that White American churches boast of an equally suspicious track record in addressing racist concepts and racism. 21 Historically, American churches have failed miserably in addressing the issue of racism. Notably, if the church has a duty to influence society in terms of doing well to all people for God's glory, then people should make an effort to comprehend how they can best influence society. If the society is actually radicalized, still separated along the lines of color, then people should make an effort to see justice done and the image of God be valued and respected regardless of point of origin, social locale, and color. 22
According to the Bible, Christians must refuse every kind of racism. God actually gave Apostle John a vision of heaven as a racially diverse gathering, a huge crowd that was impossible to count, from every language, tribe, and nation standing in front of the Lamb and throne. 23 This is an indication that heaven is not really homogeneous, neither are Christian followers. The Bible also lists no less than 15 different ethnic categories who heard the message of Christ for the very first time. 24 Notably, Christ gave the Apostles a vision for his Kingdom where all individuals, regardless of their language or skin color, had similar access to God's grace.
Unfortunately, people have failed to establish such a heaven on earth. Churches are actually among the most racially separated public spaces in the United States. 25 Recent research statistics indicate that out of about 300,000 religious crowds, only 7.5% of them qualify as racially diverse. Racism in the community and church is present because of individuals turning away from the Scriptural teachings 26 . The Bible clearly states that any kind of oppression or separation founded on race is against God's will.
The impact of racism on the American church
The affirmation of ethnic diversity can grant the individual believer as well as the local congregation a strong sense of both cohesion and belonging. Yet, if such ethnicity becomes a key criterion defining one’s identity, then we risk marginalizing the minority groups. In America today, the new phenomenon is significantly apparent – the ethnic church. It is also pertinent to note that the black majority churches are presumed to be among the fastest growing ethnic churches.
The modern day idea of reconciliation does not go hand in hand with the need for radical change. Mankind's reconciliation to God calls for drastic action as indicated in Romans 5: 10 (KJV). Jesus had to lose his life in order to give mankind hope. Racial reconciliation without such commitment simply provides a temporary band-aid to the issue. Racism has had a huge impact on the lives of the racial minorities in American churches. As earlier indicated Blacks are often segregated in terms of worship spaces and partaking of the Communion 27 . Racism has become an ethical sin, especially since it disrupts the associations God gave mankind and the vision of Christ people see in each other.
What most people do not realize is that being in a racially biased Church means that they may actually be gaining from it. For instance, racism in American churches has impacted the White Christians in that they get to enjoy some privileges. Speaking against the injustices of racism would mean speaking against things that have enabled them to prosper in life. 28 Moreover, instead of developing self-esteem and confidence in the Church, these racial minorities usually develop fear or even hatred for the Church because of racism. 29 They also feel unloved and unwelcome in the house of God.
Recent statistics indicate that racism in American churches has largely contributed to a high rate of depression in African Americans who are low-income earners. 30 It is unlikely that Blacks and other racial minority groups get assistance with basic necessities in segragated churches. Racism generally causes individuals to respond to others differently. It tends to impact the way people describe destruction of property and violence. 31 Notably, younger generations are being brought up in religions or churches where racism is still quite prominent. American churches which practice segregation of the racial minorities are teaching children and young adults to be stereotypes. Growing up, these children believe that God allows for discrimination in terms of one's skin colour or ethnicity. 32
The undeniable power, force, and impact of religion on racism stand out throughout history. Religion has exceptionally remained important because t has had immense impact on almost everything that pertains race and discrimination. 33 People often feel a sense of belonging and security n church. With this sense of belonging, people often feel united. 34 Church involvement often produces individuals from minority communities who are less likely to experience feelings of subjective stigmatization as result of their ethnicity.
Faith-based programs reports such benefits that tends to have more positive influence on multiethnic relationships that exist within the neighborhood, schools, workplaces and hospitals among other places. They share common interests and goals as they pursue their religious goals. Unfortunately, the new power gained by the church is slowly becoming fatal blow to minority communities. The enormous power of the church is increasingly creating division and corruption among its congregation. Uneven distribution of wealth has further undermined the positive of the church on race. Drunkenness, gambling, discrimination, racism and corruption are now common practices among the congregation. This sense of unacceptable behavior and sense of abandonment and separation has led to increased racism in all forms. .
Conclusion
The issue of racism in American churches is no longer one that touches only the racial minorities. Whites also suffer as a result of racism, though indirectly. For instance, they often feel helpless in creating a fair and equal society in the face of racism. They are also fearful of making errors or being misunderstood and seen as racists or stereotypes. White Christians are at times separated from others of their kind by feelings about race.
Institutional racism transpires within and between institutions. Institutional racism is often entails of discriminatory treatment, inequitable opportunism, as well as unfair polices , based on race, fabricated and perpetuated by institutions including churches, schools, healthcare faculties and mass media among others. The Individuals in these parti8cular institutions tend to take over the power of the given institution when they tend to act in ways that advantage or even disadvantage the members, based on race. Today, the American church faces such struggles.
The multiethnic church is an enormous resource for evangelism. People should thus realize that by drawing diversity of its congregation, the church might present such a promising alternative to the cultural relativism which is so ubiquitous today. Consequently, the post-modern observer might diminish Christianity to the existing needs of a given local community. They might be compelled to differentiate black Christianity from that termed as white Christianity. The multiethnic church thus challenges such as kind of assessments by sharing the gospel as an aspect that holds communities together , and which by any means, visibly followed by all races.
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