Biblical perspectives on race and racism - really broad topic but I thought it would be interesting to let this discussion take its own course!
Have you ever been surprised or taken aback to hear christians refer to themselves or others in terms you thought were questionable for someone proclaiming Christ?
Example? OK. I have met several christians who refer to themselves as "redneck" or the "N" word or other disparaging terms...and proudly I might add.
We all know that perception - how one views himself/herself in the world -carries different meanings in and out of context. There is no debate about the fact that some will argue that using such language to describe oneself or even others is fine depending on HOW it is meant. Others will argue that there should NEVER be a time when real born again christians should "go there". Thats not the question.
The question is NOT so much "Is it ok"? The questions are:
What do you understand the Bible to say our standards should be regarding issues of race and racism.
Is it true that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh even when joking with others in so called "like company"?
If it is true then what lives in our hearts and is it acceptable to God?
These are the type questions that you may choose to discuss here...I don't know...its your discussion - lets have it! Personally, I think this is one of many "hot button" topics that people are generally afraid of even in churches...In fact many who read this post will simply blow it off making as simple (and cliche) as, "God doesn't see color. Period. End of story." We get that. But how do we explain that Sunday mornings is the most segregated (separated) time in our great nation as people tend to worship with others most like themselves. I'm not saying this is wrong or right...its YOUR discussion! I'm just observing the facts and asking you whats behind them? Why aren't we more integrated on Sunday morning than any other day of the week? Is it acceptable - TO GOD? Does it depend on a persons's heart? Again, if so, whats in that persons heart? Does it depend on a persons ability to be comfortable with others - their ideas and views which most certainly will be as diverse as the experience of being...say Afircan American, Native American, or Spanish American for example.
Look heres the thing: We can stick our collective heads in the sand and blow this topic off but we have to deal with the facts: America by and large a "christian" based country whose history is mottled with mistreatment of others presenting differing perspectives on everything from religion, race, politics etc...We are the "melting pot" but there are lumps in the pot. Notably, being a predominantly christian based nation, Christian voices on issues of abortion, politics and even race have more often than not set the direction and tone of our nation. So how is it then that all that is needed to divide Christians along racial lines is something akin to an "OJ" trial or an "Obama presidency" or for that matter a "border patrol" issue". Isn't it true that true christians (people who follow Christ) are expected to put aside differences our worldly counterparts use to divide and come together? Aren't we tasked/required by God to step outside of our "family history/teachings" pick up our crosses and follow Christ example?
Even more simply: How do we feel as individuals when we find ourselves surrounded by those different from ourselves? Personally, I always cringe when I go into our chatrooms and realize ethnic jokes are being told...I wonder how will new babes view this? Atheists? Are they confused? Hurt orangered by our conduct...which brings up another question - integrity (what we do when no one is watching - except God of course! hmmmm)
Is it that we think God will simply wink at our choice of putting HIS word on THIS topic somewhere on the list of "nice but not necessary" - maybe we just dont care.
I don't know what do you think?
**Please enjoy the discussion and add your comments but remember THIS is a christian website! Please do not use disparaging language or inflammatory remarks intended (or not) to cause injury to another. This is an invitation to discuss a touchy topic that needs attention in my opinion - not simply for the sake of debate...but so we can all check on our own lives and line up with Gods word in this area like any other.
At the end of the discussion we'll take a look - together at what Gods standards and expectations are in HIS word, not our interpretation but HIS word plain and simple.
If you are found to be making nasty comments or being "ugly" please note: You will be booted because this is website that honors God. It might get a little dicey as we explore, but let's honor God family!
Ready? Ok lets hear it!
Don't know where to begin?
Some subject you might want to address:
Do certain American groups deem themselves more patriotic or more christian than others professing Christ?
Why do some Americans feel God was created with the birth of our nation ie...God must see things as we see them 'cause we're Americans and no other peoples existed (muslim or otherwise) before us so God must be on our side and no one elses right?
Is it ok to mock/mimic those in other faiths?
Why do some christians have problems with the names other faiths use to address the God they have known like oh...say Allah? Jehovah?...
Ok you get it...play nice:MrT::excited::ROFL:and lets get'erdone!
I really thank God for this questions, and I've been reviewing all people's comments, quite interesting and different.
I love the way boazsruth quoted from the old testament concerning Moses' sister racial discrimination, if you noticed from the Scripture, Moses' wife was an Ethiopian, which is a black woman, however, what we see from the movie at the present time, these biblical stories are protrayied by the light skinned people.
I love history and have done several years of research from the Bible in terms of racial balance.
If you remember, people who visited Jesus' birth are the people from the East, which means they are Asians, however, again, you will noticed that from the current media productions, these people have been forgotten but pretrayed by light skinned and blound hair.
I believe that God created us for His great purpose, being white, black, yeallow, they are all precious in the sight of God.
If you also read the story of Job in the old testament, where Job came from is Uz, which location is currently in Iraq. I mean God has His way of dealing with the kinds of people in the past, the most important is whether that person has a "Fear of God", if you do have kinds of quality that God is looking for, no matter your background, culture, or race, His name will be glorified.
Again, I must say that I'm not a racist, but really love to be racial balance in everyway I'm dealing with.
Thank you for sharing your input on this topic and to all of you who have participated so far...there was a question posed (severally-lol) early on regarding the "necessity" of this topic...I think we can see by now that not only is it of interest to many but we have and can and should continue to discuss it.
My dear Sister, I hope you will participate in the upcoming study on why we believe like we believe...this topic and the way you addressed it is a perfect lead in! Thank you and please bring your wisdom to th discussion we are about to engage in next week!
Greetings all. Let me say this, God did not create "races", humans did. This is a fact. "Race" is a human, social construct based upon 71th century pseudo science. Even the term "race" did not exist before the 10th century. Its based upon a latin word which is older however it was not used by ancient Romans in the way it is today.
There is no Biblical reason to support the notion of race or more expressly the most commonly used systems of racial classification. There is no scientific support for it, in fact the Human Genome Project in which the foremost geneticists got together to study genes found that "race" as we know it or use it DOES NOT EXIST.
Racism is real. It exists in the minds of all who believe in the concept of "race".Race was a theory which has been proven to be wrong. Human variation is real, human variation is actual, human variation is factual.....human variation is obvious. Race is not any of the above. Yet Racism exist. There are 2 kinds of racists. 1)benign racism/racist-that is someone who believes races exits or rather the most commonly used system of racial classification is real and factual. This type of racist believes in the system but doesn't assign any value positive or negative in view towards any" race".
2)Malignant racist- this person not only believes a system of racial classification is actual and factual but also assigns a value good and or bad in view towards a "race(s)". Neither is a good situation to be in due to both being ignorant of fact yet better to be benign than malignant. A benign racist can become malignant.Race and racism are based upon ignorance.
Why then does racial tension, stratification, descrimination and other issues revolving "race" exist? We have a history and system of craddle to the grave institutionalized racism that continues. Why is "race" on birth certificates? Why is "race" on drivers licenses? Passports?
Some like Perry Stone foolishly have tried to tie Biblical references to the sons of Noah to race. They too lack historical and linguistical knowledge to do so. Yet due to being blinded by their own racism often tread that water and without a forum in which they can be disputed publicly face to face fail to realize the errors in their thinking and their lack of knowledge.
Its a sad commentary that we should still be straddled by a 17th century concept disproven by 20th century science.
