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.
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
