Racism as a Christian Problem

Abstract

Attending mostly white churches when I was growing up, I sensed that many people were there because they thought they ought to be. Some, sincerely devout, tried to live according to their faith during the week as well. Nevertheless, attending church remained a matter of choice and even a point of pride. Our family, I understood without being told, went regularly not only because my parents believed in God and wanted to raise us children to be faithful Catholics, but also because going to church was what virtuous people did. In my sheltered faith, I trusted that the comforts I enjoyed in this life would be exponentially greater in the next.