American Gods

[Warning: discussion of racism and racist violence.]

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” Mat 13:44.

One of my favorite premises for a book is American Gods by Neil Gaiman. In it, the old gods like Odin and Thoth exist, but so do gods like Tech, Drugs, and Media. It’s a great picture of how human beings give things power over themselves; how we all worship something.

If Neil Gaiman was writing American Gods with more awareness, one of the gods would be White Supremacy. Indeed, a god both subtle and violent, malevolent and enticing. So much of our culture worships him. He also manipulates the followers of the gods Comfort, and Civility, and Capitalism. He takes sacrifices of poverty, and oppression, and black blood.

As Christians, we are supposed to have no other gods. We serve one King and his Kingdom. In that kingdom all are children of God, all are offered justice and deep abiding peace. We are warriors called to fight back other kingdoms and bring healing to the oppressed and imprisoned.

So yes, you have an obligation before the creator to fight White Supremacy. But stay rooted in Love. Yes, Christians are called to learn about and practice anti-racism, but don’t worship it. Yes, I believe we are called to vote for the good of our nation, but don’t worship the god Democracy – even he is a false god.

The kingdom of God is like a treasure in a field. You could sell everything you own and everything you are twice over and still be richer once you get the Kingdom. And we’re called to do that. To shed pride and our old identities, our old gods, and cling to one Kingdom.