Sarah Mitchell
Christianity is a diverse religion with followers from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. While it is associated with Europe due to its historical roots and the presence of prominent Christian denominations, it is not exclusively a white religion. The phrase Christianity is the white man's religion is considered inaccurate and misleading by many. In the United States, for example, the majority of Christians are white, but a significant portion of Christians are people of color, including Hispanic Catholics, Black Protestants, and other Christians of various ethnicities. Globally, Christianity has a diverse following, with large Christian populations in South America, Africa, Asia, and beyond, encompassing a range of cultural and racial identities. The question of whether Christianity is more white or Catholic is complex and involves historical, cultural, and regional factors that shape the demographics and beliefs of Christian communities worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Americans who identify as Christian | 54% |
| Percentage of Americans who identify as white Christian | 44% |
| Percentage of Americans who identify as white evangelical Protestants | 14% |
| Percentage of Americans who identify as white mainline (non-evangelical) Protestants | 16% |
| Percentage of Americans who identify as white Catholics | 12% |
| Percentage of Americans who identify as Christians of color | 26% |
| Percentage of Americans who identify as Hispanic Catholics | 8% |
| Percentage of Americans who identify as Black Protestants | 7% |
| Percentage of Americans who identify as Hispanic Protestants | 4% |
| Percentage of Americans who identify as Protestants of color | 4% |
| Percentage of Americans who identify as Catholics of color | 2% |
| Percentage of white Catholics with a four-year college degree or higher | 42% |
| Percentage of white evangelical Protestants with the highest median score on the Racism Index | 78% |
| Percentage of white Catholics with the second-highest median score on the Racism Index | 72% |
| Percentage of white mainline Protestants with the third-highest median score on the Racism Index | 69% |
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What You'll Learn
Christianity is not a white-only religion
The idea that Christianity is a "white man's religion" is a phrase that many believe should be abandoned, as it makes no social or cultural sense. While it is true that Christianity has been used to justify colonialism and white supremacy, it has also been used to resist these forces. For example, the Bible inspired a slave revolt led by Samuel Sharpe in Jamaica, which brought an end to slavery in the British Empire. Similarly, Jesuits in Paraguay and South America helped form an insurgency with the indigenous Guarani people to resist Portuguese colonialism and slave policies. In Mexico, Fr Miguel Hidalgo, a Catholic priest, led the war of independence against Spanish imperial authorities, under the banner of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
Christianity was introduced to the world during the period of European colonization. The Spanish and French brought Catholicism to the colonies of New Spain and New France, respectively, while the British and Germans introduced Protestantism. However, this does not mean that Christianity is a "white-only" religion. In fact, in the United States, the largest Christian denomination is non-white: approximately 70% of Hispanic and Latino Americans are Catholic. Additionally, in 2020, 26% of American Christians were people of color, including 9% Hispanic Catholics, 5% Hispanic Protestants, 5% Black Protestants, 2% multiracial Christians, 2% Asian Americans, and 1% Native Americans.
Christianity is also not a "white-only" religion when considering the global Christian population. While the United States has the largest Christian population in the world, other countries have higher percentages of Christians among their populations. For example, in Ethiopia, a non-white majority country, Christianity has been a significant religion since 1,000 AD.
Furthermore, the notion that Christianity is a "white-only" religion erases the history of Christians who were victims of colonization and ethnic oppression. It also ignores the contributions of Black Christians to the fight for justice and equality, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Sojourner Truth, and Fannie Lou Hamer, who were driven by their faith to battle for justice and righteousness.
Finally, the belief that Christianity is a "white-only" religion can be detrimental to the faith itself. Many young people, especially millennials and Gen Z, are reluctant to embrace a religion that feels like a tool for past or present oppression. By recognizing that Christianity is not a "white-only" religion, we can help make the faith more inclusive and appealing to a broader range of people.
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Racism among white Christians
While the phrase "Christianity is the white man's religion" is often used, it makes little social or cultural sense. Christianity has been used to justify colonialism, but it has also been used to resist it. For instance, the Bible inspired a slave revolt led by Samuel Sharpe in Jamaica, and Catholic priest Fr Miguel Hidalgo led the Mexican War of Independence.
However, it is undeniable that racism among white Christians is higher than among the nonreligious. White Christians are more likely to deny the existence of structural racism and are less likely to acknowledge the impact of slavery and discrimination on the Black community. They are also more likely to view monuments to Confederate soldiers as symbols of Southern pride rather than racism.
This is reflected in the Racism Index, which reveals that white Christians, particularly white evangelical Protestants, have higher median scores indicating more racist attitudes. This is not merely a Southern or evangelical problem, as white Catholics and mainline Protestants in the Northeast and Midwest also have high scores.
The history of Christianity in America is intertwined with white supremacy. In late 18th-century Maryland, one-fifth of those included in a Catholic census were enslaved people owned by white Catholics. Even in the 1940s, Black members of urban Catholic parishes were relegated to the back pews and were last to receive the Eucharist. Sermons emphasized obedience and contentment with one's social station, reinforcing racist power structures.
Today, white Christians are more likely to view the killings of Black men by police as isolated incidents rather than a pattern of discriminatory treatment. These attitudes persist despite protests for racial justice, revealing a deep-seated racism within white Christian communities that needs to be addressed and rectified.
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Catholicism and colonialism
The phrase "Christianity is the white man's religion" is a highly contested statement. While some argue that Christianity has been used to justify colonialism, others point out that it has also been used to resist colonialism. For example, the Bible inspired a slave revolt led by Samuel Sharpe in Jamaica, and Jesuits in Paraguay and South America helped indigenous Guarani people resist Portuguese colonialism and slavery. Additionally, Catholic priest Fr Miguel Hidalgo led the Mexican War of Independence against Spanish colonial authorities. Furthermore, Louis Riel's Catholic faith inspired the Métis uprising during the Red River Rebellion in Canadian history.
Historically, Christianity has been spread through missionary efforts that were often closely linked to the colonial endeavours of European powers such as Spain, France, and Portugal. This is particularly evident in the Americas, where the idea of European exploration and Christian expansion went hand in hand. The Spanish, in particular, were committed to converting the indigenous people of the lands they conquered to Catholicism, and they largely succeeded. Catholicism became deeply ingrained in Spanish-American culture, creating a cultural unity that transcended political and national boundaries.
However, it is important to note that the relationship between Catholicism and colonialism is complex. While some have argued that Catholicism was used as an excuse for invasions, others have pointed out that it was only one aspect of colonialism, often clashing with other objectives. In some cases, Catholicism was seen as a legitimate political alternative to traditional models and as a means of joining an international community of faith. Additionally, the integration of Catholicism with indigenous beliefs and practices resulted in a syncretic form of Catholicism that was different from the religion practised in Europe.
In terms of demographics, in the United States, more than four in ten Americans identify as white Christians, including white evangelical Protestants, white mainline Protestants, and white Catholics. At the same time, Christians of colour, including Hispanic Catholics, Black Protestants, and other Protestants and Catholics of colour, make up a significant portion of the Christian population in the country. Racism among white Christians in the US has been a topic of discussion, with studies showing higher median scores on racism indices compared to religiously unaffiliated whites.
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Christianity in the United States
Christianity is the predominant religion in the United States, with around 67% of the country's population identifying as Christian. However, the numbers vary across different demographic groups. For instance, in 2020, more than four in ten Americans (44%) identified as white Christians, including white evangelical Protestants (14%), white mainline (non-evangelical) Protestants (16%), and white Catholics (12%). On the other hand, Christians of color comprised Hispanic Catholics (8%), Black Protestants (7%), Hispanic Protestants (4%), and other Protestants and Catholics of color.
The United States has the largest Christian population in the world, with nearly 210 million Christians. As of 2021, over 140 million people were affiliated with Protestant churches, making the US home to the largest Protestant population globally. A Gallup survey from 2014 revealed that church attendance varies significantly by state and region, ranging from 51% in Utah to 17% in Vermont. Additionally, a 2017 study by the Pew Research Center found that highly educated Christians in the US are slightly more likely to attend church than those with lower education levels.
Christianity was introduced to the United States during the period of European colonization. The Spanish and French brought Catholicism to the colonies of New Spain and New France, respectively, while the British and Germans introduced Protestantism. The history of Christianity in the US is complex and multifaceted, with instances of both oppression and resistance. While it has been used to justify colonialism and perpetuate white supremacy, Christianity has also inspired movements against colonialism and ethnic oppression, such as the slave revolt led by Samuel Sharpe in Jamaica and the Mexican War of Independence led by Fr Miguel Hidalgo.
Within the Christian community in the US, there are various denominations and organizations. The American Council of Christian Churches (ACCC), the National Association of Evangelicals (NEA), and Christian Churches Together in the USA (CCT) are a few notable examples. The NEA, in particular, consists of 60 denominations and about 45,000 churches.
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Education and religion
The phrase "Christianity is the white man's religion" is a historically inaccurate stereotype that has been used to justify colonialism and white supremacy. While Christianity has been used as a tool for oppression, it has also been used to resist colonisation and ethnic oppression. For example, the Jesuits in Paraguay and South America helped indigenous Guarani people resist colonialism and slave policies.
In the United States, white Christians have constructed and sustained a project of perpetuating white supremacy that has framed the entire American story. White Christians are more likely to deny the existence of structural racism and are more likely to view monuments to Confederate soldiers as symbols of Southern pride rather than symbols of racism. Racism among white Christians is higher than among non-religious white people.
Education plays a significant role in perpetuating or challenging these ideologies. Catholic education, in particular, aims to develop the whole child by addressing their physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs. Catholic schools integrate technology into the classroom, encourage creative expression through art, music, and dance, and emphasise character development and ethical values. The academic curriculum reflects societal changes and prepares students to be compassionate leaders with strong moral convictions.
Catholic colleges have a specific mission to contribute to the Church, train students to serve society, and bear witness to their faith. They aim to instil Catholic identity and vocation in their students and provide a well-rounded education that includes knowledge of Catholic theology and universal knowledge.
Catholic education extends beyond schools and colleges, with various committees and organisations providing guidance, resources, and advocacy for Catholic educational institutions. These institutions include elementary and secondary schools, colleges, universities, and campus ministries. Efforts are made to ensure that Catholic education is inclusive and reflects the perspectives of other cultures and people with special pastoral needs.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Christianity is not a white-only religion. Jesus was not a white European, nor were his immediate followers.
In the US, the majority of Christians are Protestant (33% of Americans), while the next largest grouping is Roman Catholic (22%). However, among white Christians, 14% are white evangelical Protestants, 16% are white mainline Protestants, and 12% are white Catholics.
Yes, white Christians register higher median scores on the Racism Index than religiously unaffiliated whites. White evangelical Protestants have the highest median score, followed by white Catholics and white mainline Protestants.
Yes, in addition to white Christians, there are Christians of color, including Hispanic Catholics (8-9%), Black Protestants (5-7%), Hispanic Protestants (4%), and other smaller groups such as multiracial Christians, AAPI Christians, and Native American Christians.
