The Religion of Whiteness: How Racism Distorts Christian Faith

Are most white American Christians actually committed to a Religion of Whiteness?

Recent years have seen a growing recognition of the role that White Christian Nationalism plays in American society. As White Christian Nationalism has become a major force, and as racial and religious attitudes become increasingly aligned among whites--for example, the more likely you are to say that the decline of white people as a share of the population is ＂bad for society,＂ the more likely you are to believe the government should support religious values--it has become reasonable to wonder which of the adjectives in the phrase ＂White Christian Nationalism＂ takes precedence.

In this book, Michael O. Emerson and Glenn E. Bracey II respond definitively: the answer is ＂white.＂ The majority of white Christians in America, they argue, are believers in a ＂Religion of Whiteness＂ that shapes their faith, their politics, and more. The Religion of Whiteness, they argue, raises the perpetuation of racial inequality to a level of spiritual commitment that rivals followers’ commitment to Christianity itself. This religion has its own unique beliefs, practices, sacred symbols, and organizations. What is more, this religion affects more than just churches. It drives the nation’s politics, divides families, and is especially harmful to communities of color.

Using national survey data, in-depth interviews, and focus group results gathered over several years, Emerson and Bracey show how the Religion of Whiteness shapes the practice of Christianity for millions of Americans--and what can be done to confront it.

Michael O. Emerson is the author of over 15 books and 100 other publications. Considered one of the nation’s leading scholars of religion and race, he has won multiple research and teaching awards. His work has been funded by several million dollars in grants, and he has appeared on national and international media outlets for the past quarter of a century. As the Chavanne Fellow in Religion and Public Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, a leading non-partisan thinktank, he works to communicate the implications of American religious life for national policies, and to help policymakers understand the impact of policy on U.S. religions.

Glenn E. Bracey II is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Villanova University, where his work specializes in race, religion, and social movements. Bracey is an award-winning teacher and scholar with publications in leading academic journals. An emerging voice on issues ranging from critical race theory to racial protests and national politics, Bracey has appeared in several national media outlets.