US Pastor's remarks revive debate over biblical justifications for racial hierarchy; colonial-era Christian Missions in India offer historical context
The remarks drew strong criticism from theologians, civil rights advocates and social media users, many of whom rejected the interpretation as a distortion of Christian scripture
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Remarks by an American pastor advocating racial hierarchy through a controversial interpretation of the Bible have sparked widespread criticism, while also reviving discussions about the historical use of Christian theology to justify colonial expansion and missionary activity across the world, including in India.
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While interpreting Genesis 9, Partridge argued that Africans and "some of the people from India" were descendants of Ham and therefore ordained to live under the authority of Europeans, Jews, Arabs, and Asians. He further advocated what he described as a return to "European Christian colonization of African nations," claiming it would establish "godly leadership."
Colonial legacy of religious justifications
Although Partridge's comments were made in a contemporary American context, historians have documented that religious justifications were frequently invoked by European colonial powers during overseas expansion.
Historical records show that the Inquisition prosecuted converts accused of heresy, prohibited several Hindu religious practices within Portuguese-controlled territories, and targeted those accused of secretly practising their previous faith after conversion. Historians have also documented the destruction or conversion of numerous Hindu temples in territories brought under Portuguese administration during this period.
The relationship between Portuguese colonial authorities and missionary institutions has been extensively documented by historians, including Charles R. Boxer, Teotonio R. de Souza, A.K. Priolkar, and Sanjay Subrahmanyam.
Latinisation of India's ancient Christian community
The synod introduced extensive liturgical and administrative changes, leading to resistance within the indigenous Christian community. The tensions eventually culminated in the historic Coonan Cross Oath (1653), when thousands of Saint Thomas Christians publicly rejected Portuguese ecclesiastical control. The episode permanently reshaped Indian Christianity, leading to the emergence of multiple church traditions that continue to exist today.
Controversial social media posts
Partridge has also attracted attention for other statements posted on social media. He recently wrote that former US President George Washington would today be labelled a "Nazi" for his political views and argued that "non-whites can be American citizens" only under what he termed "biblical caveats."
In another post, he asserted that wives in Christian marriages should vote according to their husbands' direction.
Strong public reaction
Critics described the remarks as an attempt to revive theological arguments historically associated with racial segregation and colonialism. Several Christian commentators also rejected Partridge's interpretation, reiterating that the biblical narrative does not support racial hierarchy or slavery.
The controversy comes at a time when debates over Christian nationalism, race and the role of religion in public life continue to intensify in the United States.
Pastor Dale Partridge, who leads King's Way Reformed Church in Prescott, Arizona, has come under fire after a sermon in which he claimed that Black people were divinely intended to occupy "a civilizational station of subordination and dependence."
Dale Partridge delivers a sermon telling Black people they should “be ruled over.”
While interpreting Genesis 9, Partridge argued that Africans and "some of the people from India" were descendants of Ham and therefore ordained to live under the authority of Europeans, Jews, Arabs, and Asians. He further advocated what he described as a return to "European Christian colonization of African nations," claiming it would establish "godly leadership."
The remarks drew strong criticism from theologians, civil rights advocates and social media users, many of whom rejected the interpretation as a distortion of Christian scripture. Biblical scholars have long maintained that the so-called "Curse of Ham" is a misreading of Genesis, noting that the biblical text refers to Noah's curse on Canaan, not Ham, and makes no reference to race or skin colour.
Colonial legacy of religious justifications
Although Partridge's comments were made in a contemporary American context, historians have documented that religious justifications were frequently invoked by European colonial powers during overseas expansion.
In India, Portuguese colonial authorities combined political control with missionary activity after establishing their rule in Goa during the sixteenth century. One of the most controversial episodes was the Goa Inquisition (1560–1812), established under Portuguese rule to enforce Catholic orthodoxy among converts.
Preaching that God has assigned black people to "a civilizational station of subordination and dependence" due to the Curse of Ham, Christian nationalist pastor Dale Partridge calls for a "return to European Christian colonization of African nations." https://t.co/fmXimncly7 pic.twitter.com/0aheR3r09t
— Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch) July 8, 2026
Historical records show that the Inquisition prosecuted converts accused of heresy, prohibited several Hindu religious practices within Portuguese-controlled territories, and targeted those accused of secretly practising their previous faith after conversion. Historians have also documented the destruction or conversion of numerous Hindu temples in territories brought under Portuguese administration during this period.
The relationship between Portuguese colonial authorities and missionary institutions has been extensively documented by historians, including Charles R. Boxer, Teotonio R. de Souza, A.K. Priolkar, and Sanjay Subrahmanyam.
Latinisation of India's ancient Christian community
Another significant chapter in Indian church history was the Synod of Diamper (1599), convened by Portuguese Archbishop Aleixo de Menezes, which sought to bring the ancient Saint Thomas Christians of Kerala under Latin Catholic authority.
The synod introduced extensive liturgical and administrative changes, leading to resistance within the indigenous Christian community. The tensions eventually culminated in the historic Coonan Cross Oath (1653), when thousands of Saint Thomas Christians publicly rejected Portuguese ecclesiastical control. The episode permanently reshaped Indian Christianity, leading to the emergence of multiple church traditions that continue to exist today.
Controversial social media posts
Partridge has also attracted attention for other statements posted on social media. He recently wrote that former US President George Washington would today be labelled a "Nazi" for his political views and argued that "non-whites can be American citizens" only under what he termed "biblical caveats."
In another post, he asserted that wives in Christian marriages should vote according to their husbands' direction.
Strong public reaction
The pastor's sermon prompted widespread condemnation online.
Critics described the remarks as an attempt to revive theological arguments historically associated with racial segregation and colonialism. Several Christian commentators also rejected Partridge's interpretation, reiterating that the biblical narrative does not support racial hierarchy or slavery.
The controversy comes at a time when debates over Christian nationalism, race and the role of religion in public life continue to intensify in the United States.