Toward a Decolonized Faith

Colonization generally occurs when an empire or nation settles into a land that is not its own and declares authority over its “discovery.” It then demands obedience to its authority, develops a hierarchy that labels any deviation from the “norm” as less than, and requires an unquestioning attitude to the absolute truth as dictated by the elite. The status quo and hierarchy are maintained by any means necessary, including violence and death.

Since European colonization, the “norm” in the United States has included a hierarchy with white, straight males at the top. They also must be Protestant, educated, and able-bodied with no mental illness. This class must own property or other types of material goods.

Through its Doctrine of Discovery, the Catholic church initially endorsed this colonization over many lands, including North America. Despite the Reformation of the 16th century, early Protestant churches didn’t refute this doctrine.

Believing it was God’s will that the more “civilized” Europeans were entitled to what land they had discovered, they began a systemic oppression and denial of basic rights to the indigenous peoples they encountered. In the name of God, the colonizers forced their religious beliefs on them in the “good work of saving souls.”

Indigenous people experienced a forced abdication of power and goods, including land they had taken care of for thousands of years. Assimilation was expected. Acquiescence was enforced.

The colonization and development in North America became an entrenched system of patriarchy, while many tribes or indigenous nations were matriarchal. Yet in this colonized world, we are taught that men are more important, authority is not to be questioned, and self-interest is more important than public interest. Violence is romanticized, normalized, and even encouraged.

We are conditioned from an early age to believe that “might is right” and whoever is bigger, stronger, has better weapons and uses more force is the winner. In his book The Powers That Be, Walter Wink calls this “the myth of redemptive violence.”

Individualism and selfishness are held up as strengths in the United States. Look no further than the writings of Ayn Rand, who teaches us to “pull ourselves up by our bootstraps.” Meanwhile, those who have been denied bootstraps are also denied equal rights, pay, and representation.

When Christian institutions and communities adopt and collude with the status quo of the elite, they stray from the teachings of Jesus Christ. When our churches adopt this mindset, people’s individual faith in God deviates from the idea of a loving, grace-filled God. This leads them to judge others against the “norm,” where differences are not just “less than,” but also sinful.

The Doctrine of Discovery has caused us to ignore God’s will for God’s people and God’s land.

 

Decolonizing Faith

 

A decolonized faith questions authority, especially when authority enables hate and violence over love and peace.  A decolonized faith is fully inclusive. A person with a decolonized faith acts and advocates for those pushed to the margins or considered lower on the rungs of the hierarchical ladder.

We must dismantle the ladder.

A person with decolonized faith does not uncritically accept the “absolute truth” of the status quo, including a literal reading of the Bible. Rather, we are to question, criticize, and look at historical context. Above all else, we are allowed to read scripture through a lens of love, not power.

A decolonized faith is a personal faith in the divine, but also one that seeks wholeness within the world. This can only be achieved by recognizing kinship with all people, creatures, and the land.

We are not whole unless we are whole together. None of us are truly liberated until we are all liberated.

Henri Nouwen reminded us: “For Jesus, there are no countries to be conquered, no ideologies to be imposed, no people to be dominated. There are only children, women, and men to be loved.”