At the Altar of Lynching
Lynching Sam Hose in the American South 1899
Donald G. Mathews
354 pages | ~10 hrs
At the Altar of Lynching
Lynching Sam Hose in the American South 1899
By Donald G. Mathews
This profound historical examination reveals how religious conviction became entangled with racial violence in the American South through the lens of one tragic case. When a workplace dispute between Sam Hose, a black laborer, and his white employer escalated to murder, the aftermath illuminated the complex relationship between faith and injustice in Jim Crow society.
Distinguished historian Donald G. Mathews presents a compelling analysis of how deeply religious communities transformed an act of violence into what they perceived as moral restoration. The book explores the troubling reality of how evangelical Protestant culture, including many women believers, came to view lynching not as barbarism but as a sacred act that restored cosmic balance after what they considered a heinous crime.
Through meticulous research, Mathews demonstrates how religious intensity within segregated communities could override legal processes and justify extreme violence. This work challenges readers to confront the uncomfortable truth about how spiritual beliefs can be manipulated to support systemic oppression and brutality.
For those seeking to understand the historical roots of American racism and the complex role of religion in social justice, this book offers essential insights. It serves as a sobering reminder of how faith communities must remain vigilant against allowing religious conviction to justify hatred and violence against others.
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Hose, sam, 1875-1899
- ✓ Explore Lynching
- ✓ Explore Racism
- ✓ Explore Racism--history
- ✓ Explore Evangelicalism--social aspects--history
- ✓ Explore Violence against
- ✓ Explore Evangelicalism--social aspects--southern states--history
- ✓ Explore Southern states, history
Topics
Details
- Published
- 2017
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- ISBN-13
- 9781107182974
- ISBN-10
- 1107182972
- Pages
- 354
- Language
- EN
