I recently came across an article from a couple years ago on a website called itspronouncedmetrosexual.com (It’s Pronounced Metrosexual dot com). The premise of the article is that in the United States, Christians are granted certain privileges simply by being Christian. The intention of the article according to the author is to get Christians in the US to “start to realize how much work we have to do to make the United States a place that is truly safe and accessible for folks of all belief systems.” The author gives no specific examples of how the US is not a safe and accessible place for all belief systems and many of the so-called “privileges” presented contain within them big assumptions with no examples, links, or external data of any sort. That being said, I’d like to go through the list and respond to each of these so-called “privileges.”
Before I get started I’d like to present a piece of data that I think will help provide context to the author’s complaints. According to the best data I could find (on Wikipedia) about 78.5% of Americans identify as Christians (this includes Protestants, Roman Catholic and ‘other’ Christians). The only other group that even comes close to this is people with no religious affiliation coming in at about 16.1%. Here is a pie chart (from Wikipedia) graphically representing the Census data-
Now my responses to the 30+ examples of Christian Privileges!
1. You can expect to have time off work to celebrate religious holidays.
I assume the author means Christmas, which is a federal holiday, so everyone gets this day off. Easter is always on Sunday, so everyone gets that day off too. I don’t know many Christians who actually take off work for any other Christian holiday. I’d be willing to bet that most employers in the US would allow any Jewish or Muslim employee to have religious holidays off. I know when I was in school Jewish and Muslim students got absences due to religious holidays excused.
2. Music and television programs pertaining to your religion’s holidays are readily accessible.
This makes nothing but sense because almost 80% of the country identifies as Christian. If we were in Pakistan or Saudi Arabia this wouldn’t be the case.
3. It is easy to find stores that carry items that enable you to practice your faith and celebrate religious holidays.
Again, 80% of Americans identify as Christian. This is a capitalist economy. If I were going to open a “religious items” business in the US I’d probably cater to Christians because I’d make more money that way.
4. You aren’t pressured to celebrate holidays from another faith that may conflict with your religious values.
This is true but I don’t know of any Christians pressuring others to celebrate our holidays.
5. Holidays celebrating your faith are so widely supported you can often forget they are limited to your faith (e.g. wish someone a “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Easter” without considering their faith).
I go back to the 80% figure. In regards to Christmas- it’s a federal holiday that has been so highly secularized and thus is not really “Christian” anymore.
6. You can worship freely, without fear of violence or threats.
This is true. I could see that- because of government anti-terrorism propaganda- Muslims in this country might not feel safe worshiping. This is a sad situation that Christians should work to fix.
7. A bumper sticker supporting your religion won’t likely lead to your car being vandalized.
I’m skeptical that wide spread car vandalism is occurring because of bumper stickers.
8. You can practice your religious customs without being questioned, mocked, or inhibited.
Really? Christians are mocked all the time in popular media.
9. If you are being tried in court, you can assume that the jury of “your peers” will share your faith and not hold that against you in weighing decisions.
Going back to the 80% figure I believe this statement is accurate, but is there a widespread epidemic in American courtrooms of juries not judging people fairly because of their religion? Are there any studies to back up this implicit claim?
10. When swearing an oath, you will place your hand on a religious scripture pertaining to your faith.
This applies to everyone of every faith. When Keith Ellison was sworn in as a representative he was sworn in using an English translation of the Qur’an.
11. Positive references to your faith are seen dozens of times a day by everyone, regardless of their faith.
What? I really don’t understand this one.
12. Politicians responsible for your governance are probably members of your faith.
This is no doubt true (remember the 80% figure). Most decisions that politicians make irritate me regardless of their religion.
13. Politicians can make decisions citing your faith without being labeled as heretics or extremists.
This is laughable. Republicans get labeled as right-wing Christian extremist all the time.
14. It is easy for you to find your faith accurately depicted in television, movies, books, and other media.
This is simply ridiculous.
15. You can reasonably assume that anyone you encounter will have a decent understanding of your beliefs.
This isn’t even true in most churches.
16. You will not be penalized (socially or otherwise) for not knowing other people’s religious customs.
That’s because nobody is penalized for not knowing other people’s religious customs unless you’re in Pakistan or Saudi Arabia.
17. Your faith is accepted/supported at your workplace.
I guess? This really isn’t something that’s talked about much at work.
18. You can go into any career you want without it being associated with or explained by your faith.
???????
19. You can travel to any part of the country and know your religion will be accepted, safe, and you will have access to religious spaces to practice your faith.
That’s because 80% of……
20. Your faith can be an aspect of your identity without being a defining aspect (e.g., people won’t think of you as their “Christian” friend).
This says a lot more about Christians than “cultural privilege.” I wish more Christians would make their faith a defining aspect of their life.
21. You can be polite, gentle, or peaceful, and not be considered an “exception” to those practicing your faith.
I think the author is referring to Muslims, in which case this is a good point. This has a lot to do with government anti-terrorism propaganda and it is sad that Muslims have to deal with this.
22. Fundraising to support congregations of your faith will not be investigated as potentially threatening or terrorist behavior.
It is sad that Muslims have to deal with this, but I don’t think it is totally the fault of Christians.
23. Construction of spaces of worship will not likely be halted due to your faith.
It is sad that Muslims have to deal with this.
24. You are never asked to speak on behalf of all the members of your faith.
This is only partially true. There are many times when folks like Pat Robertson or members the Westboro Baptist Church are portrayed in the media as speaking for all Christians.
25. You can go anywhere and assume you will be surrounded by members of your faith.
Does any Christian really worry about this at all when they go anywhere? I’ve never heard any Christian say “I can’t go to that Target store, I won’t be surrounded by other people of my faith.”
26. Without special effort, your children will have a multitude of friends who share your faith.
This is becoming less and less true, but I suppose since 80% of the country still identifies as Christian…….
27. It is easily accessible for you or your children to be educated from kindergarten through post-grad at institutions of your faith.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, this is because 80% of the country………
28. Disclosing your faith to an adoption agency will not likely prevent you from being able to adopt children.
I’m skeptical that anyone would have to go through this. A link to an example of something like this happening would’ve been helpful.
29. In the event of a divorce, the judge won’t immediately grant custody of your children to your ex because of your faith.
Again, a link to an example of this happening would make me more apt to believe that it’s happening.
30. You can dismiss the idea that identifying with your faith bears certain privileges.
How’s about this for being snarky?
I don’t deny that the United States is a “culturally Christian” country and that there are certain privileges that come with that. I do have sympathy for a Jew or Muslim living in west Texas with no nearby Temple or Mosque even though you’ll find a different church on every corner. I understand that can be difficult. However, the United States is arguably one of the most tolerant and respectful countries in the world when it comes to religion. Is the US perfect? By no means! But in the US you can write a blog post criticizing the majority religion and there won’t be any real repercussions (except perhaps some nasty comments on social media). Try writing a post about 30+ examples of Muslim privilege on a Saudi Arabian website. I’m willing to bet that would probably be your last post.
Blessings
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