The Church, specifically white, masculine, evangelical Christianity, has been a driving force behind colonialism, white supremacy, and Christian nationalism. The church has sought to erase any and all culture that does not align with its beliefs sought to hold power over women, force Black, Indigenous, and other people of color to assimilate, and excommunicate the LGBTQIA+ community.    This same Church claims to follow the teachings of Jesus, but if you ask me, I don’t think the Church today looks very much like Jesus at all. In fact, most Christians are more like the Pharisees - making up rules to exclude others, casting judgments - and less like the people Jesus spent his time with.       Growing Up Southern Baptist  When I was a kid, the church was about community. I thought of the people within this community as family. I was young and unaware of the inner workings, the hierarchy, the patriarchy. I just enjoyed the Easter egg hunts and church dinners and tried to be kind - like Jesus. Wasn’t…