ASU

Christian Privilege Checklist

Christian Privilege

• 1. You can expect to have time off work to celebrate religious holidays.

• 2. Music and television programs pertaining to your religion’s holidays are readily accessible.

• 3. It is easy to find stores that carry items that enable you to practice your faith and celebrate religious holidays.

• 4. You aren’t pressured to celebrate holidays from another faith that may conflict with your religious values.

• 5. Holidays celebrating your faith are so widely supported you can often forget they are limited to your faith (e.g. wish someone a “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Easter” without considering their faith).

• 6. You can worship freely, without fear of violence or threats.

• 7. A bumper sticker supporting your religion won’t likely lead to your car being vandalized.

• 8. You can practice your religious customs without being questioned, mocked, or inhibited.

• 9. If you are being tried in court, you can assume that the jury of “your peers” will share your faith and not hold that against you in weighing decisions.

• 10. When swearing an oath, you will place your hand on a religious scripture pertaining to your faith

• 11. Positive references to your faith are seen dozens of times a day by everyone, regardless of their faith.

• 12. Politicians responsible for your governance are probably members of your faith.

• 13. Politicians can make decisions citing your faith without being labeled as heretics or extremists.

• 14. It is easy for you to find your faith accurately depicted in television, movies, books, and other media.

• 15. You can reasonably assume that anyone you encounter will have a decent understanding of your beliefs.

• 16. You will not be penalized (socially or otherwise) for not knowing other people’s religious customs.

• 17. Your faith is accepted/supported at your workplace.

• 18. You can go into any career you want without it being associated with or explained by your faith.

• 19. You can travel to any part of the country and know your religion will be accepted, safe, and you will have access to religious spaces to practice your faith.

• 20. Your faith can be an aspect of your identity without being a defining aspect (e.g., people won’t think of you as their “Christian” friend)

• 21. You can be polite, gentle, or peaceful, and not be considered an “exception” to those practicing your faith.

• 22. Fundraising to support congregations of your faith will not be investigated as potentially threatening or terrorist behavior.

• 23. Construction of spaces of worship will not likely be halted due to your faith.

• 24. You are never asked to speak on behalf of all the members of your faith.

• 25. You can go anywhere and assume you will be surrounded by members of your faith.

• 26. Without special effort, your children will have a multitude of teachers who share your faith.

• 27. Without special effort, your children will have a multitude of friends who share your faith.

• 28. It is easily accessible for you or your children to be educated from kindergarten through post-grad at institutions of your faith.

• 29. Disclosing your faith to an adoption agency will not likely prevent you from being able to adopt children.

• 30. In the event of a divorce, the judge won’t immediately grant custody of your children to your ex because of your faith.

• 31. Your faith is taught or offered as a course in most public institutions.

• 32. You can complain about your religion being under attack without it being perceived as an attack on another religion

• 33.  You can dismiss the idea that identifying with your faith bears certain privileges.