White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America

Butler (religious studies, Univ. of Pennsylvania; The Rise of the New Religious Right) offers a concise history of the racism that structures white evangelical Christianity in America. "Evangelicalism is not simply a religious group," Butler argues. "Rather, it is a nationalistic political movement whose purpose is to support the hegemony of white Christian men over and against the flourishing of others." Beginning with evangelicals' theological defense of slavery, Butler draws our attention to the ways in which white evangelicals have promoted and defended racial terrorism, segregation, and xenophobia, from before the Civil War through to the early 21st century. Particularly important is Butler's assessment of white evangelical power during the George W. Bush presidency, which led seamlessly into the racist resistance during President Obama's tenure, which in turn led directly to the rise of Donald Trump. A section of selected further reading, organized by era, offers options for those wishing to dig further into a particular period.