U.S. Church Leaders’ Responses to the Charleston Church Shooting: An Examination Based on Speech Act Theory

ABSTRACT This paper uses Speech Act Theory to examine the content of twenty pastors’ responses to the Charleston Church Shooting in June 2015. Speech Act Theory rests on the premise that speakers use language to accomplish intended actions and, in doing so, hearers conclude or interpret intendedmeaning from what speakers say. In this study, Speech Act Theory examines how effective pastors were in starting antiracist programs in their communities. The method of open coding was used. Seven themes emerged from the thematic analysis of those sermons: race, anger, threats, forgiveness, God/faith, justice, and prayer. An important conclusion of this analysis is that church leaders primarily emphasized the need to acknowledge racism in society and the need to respond to the shooter with forgiveness and love. The love and forgiveness encouraged by speakers is only evident through action.