Complainers about Critical Race Theory have an Avoidance Agenda

Critical Race Theory is a study of institutions, including all of those under the heading of Christianity, at arm's length. It is an effort to understand see how some institutions used race for gain but those in the institutions might not have been able to see what is now obvious. Criticizing Critical Race Theory is an effort to avoid dealing the racial injustice, both past and present. 

On this blog Christian commenters have tried to deny the role of Christianity in justifying both slavery and segregation. Historical records show those with racial hatreds heard thousands of sermons and quoted scripture, lots of it, to justify their practice. Today the same technique is used to justify hatred of gays and women. A recent one is the sin of people changing their gender self identification. Oh, we have scripture to quote about that too. Others are coming. There is always scripture available to demonize the group of choice.

That the religion, Christianity, has a long history of racism cannot be denied. Much of the faith deals with that fact by ignoring it is true. Bringing it up, as in Critical Race Theory is unpleasant. Best all manner of unpleasant pasts remain buried. 

Only by bringing unpleasant pasts to light and owning up to them is it possible to recognize current bigotry and prejudice. Critical Race Theory is helpful in revealing ourselves in real time.

The link was written by a professor in a small well known evangelical university. I hope he does not get into trouble for confronting the faith with its past. The university fired a young professor a few years ago for speaking out on a social issue. 

Critical Bible Studies is a cousin of Critical Racial Theory. They both put their issues in the context of society at a particular point in time. By seeing the influence of contemporary thinking of the attitudes of people toward race and Christianity it is easier to understand why and how people came to be prejudice against black and how ancient myths, like for example the Resurrection,  came to be seen as actual history.

Christians should be suspicious of other Christians who want to avoid dealing with problems of the day. Christians should, instead, encourage debate about the robustness of every argument from both believers and those who do not believe.