Like father like son

White man's religion. I've heard this phrase used by opponents of Christianity and at face value this pejorative is inaccurate. I realize I may have missed the point of the specious claim though. Perhaps white man's religion does not describe the origin of Christianity, rather it describes how it has been weaponized by white society at large. Throughout the study of the formation of the modern world, it is clear to recognize the effect European empires had on the lands of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. They stole-property, they stole people, they stole resources. These villains were Christians. Christian Europeans violated the commands of justice and self-lessness to create a new world order with themselves at the top. Christians took existing racism and classism and codified it into law, which still has implications on the hemispherial disparities of wealth today. Christians used their hope of glory to force God's creation into perpetual submission.

I received a letter from an acquaintance about supporting him and his family as a missionary to an African country. I lived as a missionary to the college campus for 2 years, so I understand and empathize with his position. When I consider he (an American) is going there to make disciples (Christianize the heathen) of African and Asian citizens, it has an eery reminder of the historical record. I struggle to find reasons to contribute to a religion, which has been used to perpetuate inequality. I think justice for the decolonized nations would strengthen the message of the Jesus, because justice is the message of Jesus. Where does that leave me? I recognize in my own practice and beliefs, I have embraced Christianity to the point where I desire to control people and delay justice. The syncretism of white man's religion warped my thinking, and countless other Christians, to uphold domination, and delay restoration for the sake of order and security. No matter how illegitimate I may be, my thinking is not all that different from the American patriarchs. Like father like son indeed.