Check your Privilege

By JC - (Religious Freedom) - My form of teenage rebellion was refusing to say the Pledge of Allegiance in middle school.  I was fighting against authority; I was sticking it to the man.  I was different.  Some teachers were amused by this act of mine.  Others became agitated and upset, demanding to know why I wouldn’t stand up and say the pledge.  Like a smart ass, I would answer: “I feel uncomfortable because ‘under God’ violates my religious beliefs.”  Looking back, I now know that my teenage naiveté trivialized an issue of enormous importance.

The United States prides itself on being a progressive champion of religious freedom.  We shame Syria and China for their backwards practices; we are virtuous, and we are different.  We don’t privilege any religions above others; everyone is equal in America.  But we’re not.  We’re really not.

American society inherently privileges Christianity above all other religions.  This extends far beyond the Pledge of Allegiance; Christian privilege is built into the fabric of our society.  All currency is stamped with “In God We Trust.”  The national anthem is filled with overt religious language and is performed at public sporting events and other public gatherings.  Presidents are generally sworn into office with a Bible.  The Ten Commandments are displayed on various public buildings—including the Supreme Court.  Teachers can hang scriptures and other religious paraphernalia in classrooms.  Christmas is a federal holiday.

These examples form just the tip of the iceberg; by making Christianity the default religion, we are othering non-Christian religions.  By assuming Christianity unless told otherwise, we are subconsciously categorizing non-Christians as outsiders and add-ons to American society.  Sure, all religions are welcome in America—we’re a melting pot.  But if you’re different, then you have to know that you’re different.  Everyone will know that you’re different.

A recent Gallup poll found that over 75% of American adults identify with a Christian religion.  Many will argue what’s the problem if the numbers make sense?  From a philosophical perspective, we undermine the notion of human equality when we allow a majority to be privileged over minorities.  Our country was founded on Locke’s ideas of natural rights and equality.  Yet, we have historically undermined these ideals by allowing different types of privilege to permeate society—ranging from white privilege to straight privilege to Christian privilege.  We tread close to Tocqueville’s tyranny of the majority here.

Moreover, this type of systemic privilege can have long lasting consequences.  For example, the power dynamic can inflict psychological damage on minority groups, lowering their sense of self-worth and marking them as outsiders.  Are people truly free if having different religious beliefs automatically casts them as outsiders?  If they are excluded or non-deserving of certain privileges?  If they may feel uncomfortable in public settings?

As a nation, we celebrate uniqueness and diversity; and yet, our practices and institutions reinforce standards and norms that are exclusionary to people who are different.  The First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”  Yes, most of the aforementioned religious practices have not violated the Constitution.  Congress will mostly likely never establish a national religion, and we are generally free to practice any religion of our choice.  But freedom of religion is more than free exercise of religion—it relates to factors impacting our exploration of religion and choices surrounding our ultimate religious expression.

Establishing freedom of religion will require conscious acknowledgement of religious privileges in our society and active efforts to counteract them.  Suppose I read the Qur’an and find that it deeply resonates with me.  Do I convert to Islam?  Legally I am allowed to do as I wish.  However, perhaps I am a teacher and parents on the PTA would be outraged.  Perhaps I’m afraid to become the target of a hate crime.  Or perhaps I’m just uncomfortable being different.  I am not truly free to explore or express my religious beliefs.

In today’s society, people hate acknowledging privilege.  We enjoy privilege, but there is something shameful about recognizing it or attributing success to it.  However, freedom of religion is not a zero-sum game.  Acknowledging Christian privilege and becoming more secular in the public sphere will not detract from Christians’ freedom of religion—it will just add to that of others’.  So next time we say the Pledge of Allegiance, we might want to examine out own privileges—or lack thereof.