ROSS BARNETT

Religion has been on both sides of the racism issue. In general, slavery the world over and in the American South needed the support of mainstream religions. At the same time, religion has been one of the major forces for abolition. The two mainstream Protestant religions of the South, the Baptists and the Methodists split from their Northern brethren in the 19th century over the slavery issue, and they have never united.

Religion has been on both sides of the racism issue. In general, slavery the world over and in the American South needed the support of mainstream religions. At the same time, religion has been one of the major forces for abolition. The two mainstream Protestant religions of the South, the Baptists and the Methodists split from their Northern brethren in the 19th century over the slavery issue, and they have never united.