Sacred Misuse: The Biblical Justifications for Racism

Introduction

Throughout American history, biblical texts have often been cited to justify and sustain racial injustices, including slavery, segregation, apartheid, and opposition to civil rights movements. Interpretations of scripture have supported systemic inequalities, racial hierarchies, and resistance to social reforms. Understanding the biblical arguments historically employed to defend these positions sheds critical light on how religious authority has been utilized in perpetuating racial divisions. This essay examines specific biblical verses historically cited in support of racial injustice and outlines how majority societal and Christian views evolved or persisted over time. Additionally, this essay provides historical context on when and by whom these biblical interpretations emerged and discusses their societal impacts on marginalized communities.

1. Biblical Basis for Slavery Historically, slavery was defended using literal interpretations of scripture:

• Genesis 9:25–27 (Curse of Ham/Canaan)
  • “Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers.”
  • Interpretation: Claimed as divine sanction of racial hierarchy, specifically targeting Africans as descendants of Ham.
• Leviticus 25:44–46
  • “Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you… you can make them slaves for life.”
  • Interpretation: Biblical validation for lifetime slavery and foreign enslavement.
• Ephesians 6:5–7
  • “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear.”
  • Interpretation: Argued to command obedience and acceptance of slavery as God-ordained.
• Colossians 3:22, 1 Timothy 6:1–2, Titus 2:9
  • Similar directives instructing slaves to obey masters, reinforcing arguments of slavery as divinely permissible.

1. Biblical Basis for the Confederacy & Divine Support for the South Southern Christians argued God favored their cause based on:

• Romans 13:1–4
  • “The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
  • Interpretation: Claimed obedience to existing laws, including slavery laws, were divinely mandated.
• Philemon (entire epistle)
  • Paul’s instruction to a slave owner without explicitly condemning slavery.
  • Interpretation: Claimed implicit divine approval of slavery.
• Old Testament Patriarchs (Abraham, Jacob)
  • Cited as slaveholders blessed by God.
  • Interpretation: Argued to imply God’s support for slavery and thus Southern society.

Confederate clergy, including theologians like James Henley Thornwell and Robert Lewis Dabney, argued extensively that the Southern cause aligned with scripture, citing these verses as “proof.”

1. Biblical Basis for White Supremacy & Racial Hierarchy (General Doctrine) Historically justified by:

• Genesis 9:25–27 (Curse of Ham)
  • Interpretation: Claimed inherent racial hierarchy ordained by God.
• Deuteronomy 7:1–6 (Chosen people)
  • Interpretation: Misused to argue divine favor towards certain races, particularly whites.

1. Biblical Basis for Segregation Biblical justifications for racial segregation prominently involved interpretations of:

• Genesis 11:1–9 (Tower of Babel)
  • God separated people into distinct groups with different languages.
  • Interpretation: Used to justify racial and ethnic separation as God’s divine intent.
• Acts 17:26
  • “[God] hath determined… the bounds of their habitation.”
  • Interpretation: Misinterpreted to mean God ordained separate races to inhabit distinct territories.
• Deuteronomy 7:3–4
  • “Do not intermarry with them…”
  • Interpretation: Applied broadly as forbidding interracial mixing.

1. Biblical Basis for Apartheid Apartheid in South Africa was biblically justified through:

• Genesis 11:1-9 (Babel)
  • Interpretation: Claimed divine intention of racial separation.
• Acts 17:26 (set boundaries)
  • Interpretation: Misused to justify strict racial and territorial segregation.

1. Biblical Basis for Opposing Interracial Marriage The primary biblical citations used were:

• Genesis 1:25 (“after their kind”)
  • Interpretation: Claimed God created separate races, which should not mix.
• Deuteronomy 7:3
  • Interpretation: Extended broadly to justify racial purity.
• Acts 17:26
  • Interpretation: Reused as justification against interracial marriage.

1. Biblical Basis for Opposing Busing, Quotas, Affirmative Action, and Civil Rights Opposition to these policies focused on:

• Romans 2:11 (“God does not show favoritism”)
  • Interpretation: Claimed affirmative action or quotas violated biblical impartiality.
• Exodus 23:3 (“do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit”)
  • Interpretation: Suggested biblical opposition to preferential treatment based on race.
• Galatians 3:28 (“neither Jew nor Greek…for you are all one in Christ Jesus”)
  • Interpretation: Misused to argue against race-conscious policies, promoting “color-blindness.”

Civil rights legislation was often opposed as government overreach, violating Romans 13’s interpretation of limited government authority.

1. Biblical Basis for Resistance to Racial Justice Resistance to racial justice and reparations was justified through:

• Ezekiel 18:20
  • Interpretation: Argued individuals should not bear historical racial guilt.
• Matthew 6:14-15 (Forgiveness)
  • Interpretation: Advocated personal forgiveness rather than systemic accountability.

1. Biblical Basis for Opposing Critical Race Theory (CRT) and DEI Modern arguments against CRT and DEI largely repackage earlier rationales:

• Galatians 3:28 (“one in Christ”)
  • Interpretation: Claimed CRT/DEI divide by emphasizing racial differences.
• Romans 2:11 (“no favoritism”)
  • Interpretation: Claimed CRT/DEI wrongly emphasizes partiality.
• Ezekiel 18:20 (“The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity”)
  • Interpretation: Argued CRT unjustly assigns collective guilt.
• Ephesians 4:32 (“forgiving one another”)
  • Interpretation: Claimed CRT fosters resentment rather than forgiveness.

Important Clarifications:

Regional Differences: Positions like slavery, segregation, apartheid, and Confederacy support had strong regional majorities (Southern US, South Africa).

White vs. Black Christians: Positions on segregation, civil rights opposition, and white supremacy predominantly reflect white Christians. Black Christians consistently opposed racial injustice.

Change Over Time: Churches evolved significantly from initial support of racial injustice toward greater racial equality, though divisions remain, particularly on reparations, CRT, and DEI.

Summary of Majority vs. Minority Positions Over Time:

• Initially Majority (Both General Population and Christians):
  • Slavery
  • Confederacy/Southern cause
  • White Supremacy & Racial Hierarchy
  • Segregation
  • Apartheid
  • Opposition to interracial marriage
  • Opposition to busing, quotas, affirmative action
  • Opposition to Civil Rights Movement
• Currently Divided or Polarized:
  • Resistance to racial justice (reparations and accountability)
  • Opposition to CRT and DEI

Overall, historically, majority Christian positions initially mirrored mainstream societal support for racial hierarchy and opposition to racial justice initiatives. Over time, significant shifts have occurred toward greater equality, although significant polarization continues today around issues of racial justice.

Conclusion Biblical arguments historically used against abolition, integration, civil rights, interracial marriage, and modern racial justice initiatives demonstrate significant continuity, emphasizing color-blindness, opposition to affirmative redress, and resistance to systemic accountability.