Thread by @kennethcdavis

When a politician posts a piece of nonsense about #ushistory and #slavery on #Juneteenth, I do not RT it.
But we must set the record straight. Slavery in America was entwined with Christianity from the outset and to claim otherwise obliterates the facts. #1 of 14
#sschat

African slavery in the Americas began in 1517 when the Spanish priest de Las Casas advocated importing Africans to replace the enslaved indigenous people who were dying in large numbers. He later regretted this recommendation. origins.osu.edu/milestones/jul… #2 of 14

The English later came to dominate the African Triangle Trade and, like the Spanish and Portuguese, justified the slave trade with missionary zeal as bringing "salvation" to these "heathens." #3 of 14

A vile interpretation of Genesis claimed that African slavery was biblically justified by the "Curse of Canaan" which said the descendants of Noah's son Ham would be "a slave of slaves." For this, Christian preachers said Blacks should live in perpetual slavery. #4 of 14

By 1667, when enslavement was recognized by law in colonial Virginia, children born to enslaved mothers were enslaved. Christian baptism was permitted for the enslaved but did not change their status. #5 of 14

In colonial America, the enslaved were forced to attend church as a means of keeping an eye on them. Preachers like Thomas Bacon told the enslaved, "You have to behave toward your masters & mistresses in a way that would be pleasing to God." …urces.greatbooksofthewesternworld.com/2019/02/24/tho… #6 of 14

The prominent evangelist, Methodist leader and Great Awakening preacher George Whitefield led the movement to legalize slavery in Georgia in the 1740s. web.sas.upenn.edu/philamonuments… #7 of 14

In 1776, when the Declaration was signed with its promise of "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness," at least 40 of 56 signers were enslavers, including author Jefferson. All were nominally Christian. dontknowmuch.com/2023/06/whatev… #8 of 14

In 1838, the Jesuits of Georgetown sold 272 enslaved people: "they were sold, along with scores of others, to help secure the future of the premier Catholic institution..." via @nytimes nytimes.com/2016/04/17/us/… #9 of 14

Abolitionists led by Quakers and other Protestants were a fringe group. The issue eventually split the Methodists, Presbyterians and, in 1845, the Baptists--for which the Southern Baptists apologized 150 years later npr.org/templates/stor… #10 of 14

Woodrow Wilson's father Joseph Wilson was a defender of slavery and leader of the Southern Presbyterians who split away in 1861 over slavery.
As #POTUS Wilson's racial views are well-documented. npr.org/sections/live-… #11 of 14

In his 1845 "Narrative," Frederick Douglass called out the “slaveholding religion of this land,” distinct from the “Christianity of Christ" as being “the corrupt, slaveholding, women-whipping, cradle-plundering, partial and hypocritical Christianity of this land.” #12 of 14

Texas secession: "the servitude of the African race... is mutually beneficial to both bond and free...and the revealed will of the Almighty Creator, as recognized by all Christian nations..." battlefields.org/learn/primary-… #13 of 14

This is a brief, selective overview of the role Christianity played in perpetuating slavery in America. Yes, Christians later had key roles in Abolitionism. But that was long after Christianity had helped cement the "peculiar institution" in America. Facts Matter. #14/14