Majority of Americans believe Church has major role in racial reconciliation

The overwhelming majority of evangelical Christians in the US believe that churches have an important role to play in racial reconciliation, a new study has found.

South Carolina removed the Confederate flag from the State House grounds after the June 17 shooting of nine black churchgoers at a historic black church in Charleston last year. Reuters

According to the Barna Group, even those outside the church believe it can help combat racial divisions.

More than half (53 per cent) of people with no faith agreed strongly or somewhat that Christian churches play an important role in racial reconciliation.

Almost all evangelicals (94 per cent) said the same, as did the majority of Millennials (66 per cent), Generation Xers (69 per cent), Boomers (79 per cent) and Elders (84 per cent).

In total, 73 per cent of all adults asked said the church had an important role.

However, 17 per cent of black people said that Christian churches are actually part of the problem when it comes to racism.

One in 10 of all adults agreed, including nine per cent of white people.

"Our research confirms the fear that the church (or the people in it) may be part of the problem in the hard work of racial reconciliation," said Brooke Hempell, vice president of research at Barna Group.

"If you're a white, evangelical, Republican, you are less likely to think race is a problem, but more likely to think you are a victim of reverse racism. You are also less convinced that people of color are socially disadvantaged. Yet these same groups believe the church plays an important role in reconciliation. This dilemma demonstrates that those supposedly most equipped for reconciliation do not see the need for it."

Hempell said white evangelical Christians "demonstrate a blindness to the struggle of their African American brothers and sisters.

"This is a dangerous reality for the modern church. Jesus and his disciples actively sought to affirm and restore the marginalized and obliterate divisions between groups of people. Yet, our churches and ministries are still some of the most ethnically segregated institutions in the country," she added.

"By failing to recognize the disadvantages that people of color face – and the inherent privileges that come from growing up in a 'majority culture' – we perpetuate the racial divisions, inequalities and injustices that prevent African American communities from thriving.

"Research has shown that being cognizant of our biases leads to change in biased behavior. If white evangelical Christians genuinely care for the wellbeing of their African American brothers and sisters, the first step they must take is being honest about their own biases. History – and Jesus' example – has shown that reconciliation comes from stepping out of our place of comfort and actively pursuing healing for those in need. We must do the same, if we really believe all lives matter."

related articles
McKinney video: The Church is not living up to its radical past on race
McKinney video: The Church is not living up to its radical past on race

McKinney video: The Church is not living up to its radical past on race

Martin Luther King Day: What his unfulfilled Dream has to say to the Church
Martin Luther King Day: What his unfulfilled Dream has to say to the Church

Martin Luther King Day: What his unfulfilled Dream has to say to the Church

First black Southern Baptist president says US race relations worse under Obama

First black Southern Baptist president says US race relations worse under Obama

10 inspiring quotes from Martin Luther King Jr
10 inspiring quotes from Martin Luther King Jr

10 inspiring quotes from Martin Luther King Jr

Pastor urges Southern Baptist Convention to stop displaying Confederate flag

Pastor urges Southern Baptist Convention to stop displaying Confederate flag

News
Cuts to government grants are having 'huge impact' on church buildings and local communities
Cuts to government grants are having 'huge impact' on church buildings and local communities

Many churches are in the corridor of uncertainty thanks to grant limits

Church of Scotland opposition to assisted suicide 'under review'
Church of Scotland opposition to assisted suicide 'under review'

Will the Church of Scotland change its traditional view following the Scottish Parliament's vote?

Christians pray as Westminster debates assisted suicide
Christians pray as Westminster debates assisted suicide

Christians are praying that more MPs will be persuaded to reject Kim Leadbeater's assisted suicide bill when it is debated again the House of Commons on Friday. 

Assisted suicide: Scotland’s shame
Assisted suicide: Scotland’s shame

Increasingly Western societies, as they turn away from their Christian roots, become cultures of death.