White Christian Privilege, by Khyati Y. Joshi

Over this 4th of July weekend, amid the patriotism and what fireworks were allowed to be shot (OK, not many allowed, but plenty illegally shot), the media was sure full of a lot of anti-American, anti-patriotic chatter.  Racism, white privilege, inequality, etc., etc., as if we didn't live in the freest, most prosperous, most religiously diverse nation in the world.  White privilege has become a buzz phrase for the left, and Khyati Y. Joshi, a college professor and writer, is happy to be a part of the merry bandwagon.  In White Christian Privilege: The Illusion of Religious Equality in America, Joshi joins the mainstream left in decrying white privilege, specifically white Christian privilege.  She "debunks the fallacy of American religious freedom and offers ways to acknowledge the harder truth of White Christian supremacy, in hopes of helping to create a society with institutions and cultural practices in which all can more equitably coexist."

In her mind, the alleged neutrality of the United States government and the courts toward religion is skewed heavily in favor of Christian faith and practice.  She gives examples demonstrating that Christian practices are easily accepted, while non-Christian practices are either banned or are won in hard-fought court struggles.  "The collective message of the Court's free exercise cases is that a burden on Christian practice offense the Constitution, while a burden on non-Christian practice does not." 

My thought throughout the book was that the United States was founded by Christians who created the foundations of the nation so that its people would be free to practice their faith.  As a result, there is more religious variety and freedom of worship and practice in the U.S. than any other nation in history.  It is because of the faith of the founders that Hindus, Muslims, and other world religions can flourish here.  She states that Christianity "permeates all facets of our society and our laws."  Amen.  If another world religion permeated our laws and society, religious freedom would be a dim hope--just look at how Christians are treated in Muslim countries, China, and even India.

On a side note, when a leftist author hates Trump, it's expected.  But please, at least get your facts straight.  She repeats the lie that "the president referred to 'very fine people on both sides,' signal[ing] the president's support of White nationalists."  This lie has been debunked repeatedly.  In the speech to which she refers, President Trump clearly condemned white nationalists.  The "both sides" remark referred to people for and against the removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee.  Do your research and don't swallow the slander of the media.  Further, she is critical of Trump's "Muslim Ban."  Another lie; this was an effort to prevent travel from countries where he thought there was an increased threat of terrorism.  This did not include every majority Muslim country.  Hate Trump all you want, but in an academic work, I would expect a higher level of reflection and fact-checking.

It's undeniable that Christianity is woven inextricably into the foundations and fabric our our nation.  To deny it or reduce it would not only show anti-Christian bias, but would erode the very freedoms and religious diversity that sprang from the Christian faith of the founders.  As a Christian, I was deeply convicted by the message and theme of the book.  The Christian church in American has failed to retain and expand the vibrancy and evangelistic fervor of the Great Awakenings, and has, as a result, seen the practices of the Christian faith decline in recent decades.  For the sake of the gospel, the church needs to wake up; our nation still needs Jesus.  For the sake of the nation, the church needs to wake up; the more the influence of Christianity fades from the scene, the less freedom we all will have.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!