cost of unity, The

cost of unity, The

By Lawrence A. Q. Burnley

Book Description

Lawrence A. Q. Burnley presents a revealing examination of how the pursuit of religious unity can come at a profound moral cost. This scholarly work uncovers the complex dynamics within the Christian Church following the Civil War, when Protestant organizations established educational institutions for newly freed African Americans in the South.

Rather than accepting the conventional narrative that portrays Black communities as passive beneficiaries of White charity, Burnley demonstrates how African Americans actively shaped their own educational destiny. The book reveals the agency and determination of Black leaders who worked both within and outside established church structures to create schools for their communities.

The author exposes a troubling contradiction at the heart of the Christian Church's mission. While Disciples of Christ claimed to seek the "elevation of the Negro race," their deliberate implementation of industrial education models served a different purpose entirely. This approach was designed to limit African American advancement and maintain social hierarchies rather than promote genuine equality.

Perhaps most significantly, Burnley illuminates how Northern church leaders compromised their principles to preserve denominational unity. Their willingness to accommodate Southern racial attitudes reveals the painful price paid when institutional harmony takes precedence over justice and moral courage.

This meticulously researched work challenges readers to examine how religious communities navigate the tension between unity and righteousness, offering important insights for anyone seeking to understand the intersection of faith, education, and social justice in American history.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~9 hours)

📄 Length: 307 pages

What You'll Discover

  • ✓ Explore Disciples of christ, history
  • ✓ Explore Race relations
  • ✓ Explore African americans, religion
  • ✓ Explore United states, history, 20th century
  • ✓ Explore Schwarze
  • ✓ Explore Social conditions
  • ✓ Explore Religious aspects of Concord
  • ✓ Explore Religion

Topics Covered

Disciples of christ, history Race relations African americans, religion United states, history, 20th century Schwarze Social conditions Religious aspects of Concord Religion Case studies Disciples of Christ Religious aspects Education Concord Schulbildung African Americans United states, history, 19th century African americans, education Educational change Christianity Missions African americans, social conditions History Schule United states, race relations

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