Are Christians Ethnocentric?

Question

Ethnocentricity is the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of one's own culture. This term was coined by William Graham Sumner, a social evolutionist and professor of Political and Social Science at Yale University. He defined it as the viewpoint that “one’s own group is the center of everything,” against which all other groups are judged. Ethnocentrism often entails the belief that one's own race or ethnic group is the most important and/or that some or all aspects of its culture are superior to those of other groups. Within this ideology, individuals will judge other groups in relation to their own particular ethnic group or culture, especially with concern to language, behaviour, customs, and religion. These ethnic distinctions and sub-divisions serve to define each ethnicity's unique cultural identity.

Answer 1

Are some? Yes

Are all? No

Answer 2

Yes, I would say that being Christian is ethnocentric. I would also say the very same thing about being Muslim, & to a certain extent, Jewish, too.

However, let's try to look at it another way: how can all religions be equally right when one religion teaches that there is Only One God, while another religion teaches that there are numerous gods & goddesses? How can they both be right at the very same time?

And then you have those who do not believe in God, or any kind of divinity at all.

And finally, before I conclude, I would like to point out that religion is not the only kind of culture which can contain ethnocentricity. Nationality often contains ethnocentricity too. Example: Americans have a reputation for being ethnocentric.

Answer 3

Christianity is not an ethnicity nor do Christians come from a specific ethnic background. There are found among virtually every ethnic group on the planet.

Answer 4

Considering that 60% of the world's Christians live outside America and Europe, I doubt it.

Answer 5

My guess would be that a good chunk were and are. As for the future, I see America as a melting pot and T.V. seems to help things so who knows?

Answer 6

Since we preach that all people from all parts of the world can become Christians and that the Jewish traditions such as circumcision are not necessary, I don't think so.

Answer 7

Americans, as a rule, are ethnocentric. Not all of course but a lot of them are. A lot of these people that are, are Christian too.