Religion and race

Book Description

Winston Arthur Lawson presents a profound examination of how religious beliefs and racial dynamics shaped colonial Jamaica's social fabric in this thoughtful historical investigation. The book explores the complex relationships between three distinct churches - both European and Afro-Jamaican traditions - and reveals how their differing theological perspectives, worldviews, and cultural practices influenced the development of an entire society.

At the heart of this study lies the tension between the dominant planter class and Afro-creole workers, whose competing value systems created ongoing conflicts throughout the 1820s and early 1830s. Lawson demonstrates how culture, color, and race operated within deeply religious frameworks that either challenged existing power structures or reinforced them, creating a dynamic spiritual and social landscape.

The author pays particular attention to how religious institutions served as both sources of conflict and potential bridges between communities. By examining this pivotal period in Jamaican history, including connections to the 1831 Nat Turner rebellion in America, Lawson illuminates the broader implications for social harmony when different spiritual traditions encounter one another.

This work offers valuable insights for readers seeking to understand how religious beliefs intersect with social justice, cultural identity, and community building. Through careful historical analysis, it reveals timeless lessons about the power of faith to both divide and unite diverse populations.