ebooks Society in Colonial North Carolina by From Brand: North Carolina Office of Archives in History

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Over the centuries; Christianity has accomplished much which is deserving of praise. Its institutions have fed the hungry; sheltered the homeless; and advocated for the poor. Christian faith has sustained people through crisis and inspired many to work for social justice.Yet although the word "Christian" connotes the epitome of goodness; the actual story is much more complex. Over the last two millennia; ruling elites have used Christian institutions and values to control those less privileged throughout the world. The doctrine of Christianity has been interpreted to justify the killing of millions; and its leaders have used their faith to sanction participation in colonialism; slavery; and genocide. In the Western world; Christian influence has inspired legislators to continue to limit women's reproductive rights and has kept lesbians and gays on the margins of society.As our triple crises of war; financial meltdown; and environmental destruction intensify; it is imperative that we dig beneath the surface of Christianity's benign reputation to examine its contribution to our social problems. Living in the Shadow of the Cross reveals the ongoing; everyday impact of Christian power and privilege on our beliefs; behaviors; and public policy; and emphasizes the potential for people to come together to resist domination and build and sustain communities of justice and peace.Paul Kivel is the award-winning author of Uprooting Racism and the director of the Christian Hegemony Project. He is a social justice activist and educator who has focused on the issues of violence prevention; oppression; and social justice for over forty-five years.