Racism

Christianity and Racism: Does Christianity promote racism?  Is it a “white person’s religion?”  A biblical perspective on these controversial questions.  (Probe radio series transcript.)

Church’s intolerant past not a true representation of Christianity.  Does Christianity promote racism?  Is it just for whites?  How could the faith whose founder told people to “love one another” be associated with racial oppression? (Short op-ed)

South African Confession Sparks Chilling Memory.  A former South African justice official confesses to having ordering bombs planted in theaters premiering a controversial anti-apartheid film. The writer had tickets to see the film’s opening in Pretoria.  (Short op-ed)

South African Apartheid Leader’s Apology for Racial Sins. A startling example of contrition by Adriaan Vlok, former Law and Order Minister under South Africa’s apartheid regime.  Could it help inspire forgiveness and reconciliation in government, workplaces, neighborhoods and families?  (Short op-ed)

West Africans to African-Americans: “We Apologize for Slavery”. Africans make poignant apology to African Americans for their ancestors’ complicity in the slave trade. (Short op-ed)

Amazing Grace Movie: Lessons for Today’s Politicians.  Can God and politics mix?  Leaders contemplating faith-in-action would do well to look back two centuries to William Wilberforce, the famous British parliamentarian who led a grueling but inspiring twenty-year struggle to outlaw the slave trade.  (Short op-ed)

William Wilberforce and Abolishing the Slave Trade.  A profound change led this famous British parliamentarian on a path that some say cost him the prime ministership, but helped rescue an oppressed people and a nation’s character.  An inspiring story with lasting social and personal implications.  (Probe radio series transcript.)

Amazing Grace in John Newton.  This slave-trader-turned-pastor significantly impacted the eighteenth century British campaign to abolish the African slave trade.  You’ve likely heard his classic song.  Perhaps you think you know his inspiring story.  You may discover that you don’t!  (Probe radio series transcript)

A Little “Kramer” in All of Us?  Comedian Michael Richards – “Kramer” on TV’s Seinfeld – saw his racist tirade at African-American hecklers ignite a firestorm.  Lots of people have dark sides.  Maybe everyone.  Maybe you.  I do.  (Short op-ed)

Evangelicals’ Image Problem.  God should have sued Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson for defamation, says New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof.  “Few words conjure as much distaste in liberal circles as ‘evangelical Christian,’” he writes.  So why does he sing evangelicals’ praises?  (Short op-ed)