Chapter

Racism and xenophobia: The role of the Church in South Africa

Jerry Pillay
Verbum et Ecclesia | Vol 38, No 3 | a1655 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v38i3.1655 | © 2017 Jerry Pillay | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 30 May 2016 | Published: 06 October 2017

About the author(s)

Jerry Pillay, Department of Church History and Church Polity, University of Pretoria, South Africa

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Abstract

Racism and xenophobia have become a worldwide issue and challenge. The recent flood of immigrants and refugees into Europe and America has put this matter on the world map. In South Africa racism and xenophobia have, in recent times, reached explosive proportions and have greatly intensified the need for the Church to get more deeply involved in the creation of racial harmony and peace as it works towards the fullness of life for all people. This chapter explored the challenges of racism and xenophobia in South Africa and concluded by discussing the role of the Church in combating these realities.

Keywords

racism; xenophobia; church; economic justice; culture; religion and South Africa

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