The Christian And The Issue Of Race
Most Christians in the U.S. , cannot seem to transcend race. Yes, they love to talk about Jesus, and, all the wonderful things that he has done for them, and, that is great. However, one thing that I have noticed, in my studies, of race relations, for more than 26 years, and that is, different racial groups in America, who claim to be Christians, have a tendency to focus on their racial background first, and, being a Christian second. For example, Hispanic Christians, will look out for the interest of Hispanics, and it does not matter, whether the fellow Hispanic is a Christian or not. In other words, Hispanics who happen to be Christians, will stick with Hispanics, who are not Christians, before they will stick with a black, white, or Asian Christian, and, I have seen this same phenomenon, among other racial groups as well, but, not the African American. When many blacks become born again, they try to play down the issue of race, and when they come in contact with other racial groups, they spend so much time trying to please them, and, what I often wonder is, are these blacks engaging in such behavior because they are truly trying to be Christ like, or is it an inferiority complex? If it is the former, then that is fine, but, if it is the latter, then it is a problem. I have also observed the same behavior, among several African Americans, who claim not to be Christians. For example, if blacks, happen to be in positions of authority, they have a tendency to go out their way, to help every other racial group, but, their own, because they are so afraid, that if they try to help another African American, other non-blacks on the job, will accuse them of playing favoritism. But yet, other racial groups look out for one another, all the time, and, it doesn’t matter whether members of their group, are Christians, or not. The objective of every Christian, should be to grow to a spiritual level which can transcend racial prejudices, which exist within our society. However, this is very difficult for many, because prejudice and racism, are addictions like everything else. An addiction,( according to many medical researchers), is the dependence on a behavior or substance, in which an individual, does repetitiously, and, is unable to stop, unless he or she gets some type of counseling or there is divine intervention. The excessive gambler, knows that what he or she is doing, is not right, but, it is very difficult, for him or her to quit, or break the habit, and, the same example can also apply to other addictions, (such as alcoholics, sex addicts, drug addicts, shopping addicts, video games addicts, food addicts, inter-net addicts, and, the like) as well. Now quite naturally, some of the addictions mentioned above, might sound ludicrous, but, if one were to observe the above definition given, when, defining the concept, ”Addiction”, then he or she would notice that the addictions, mentioned above, do make sense. Racism and prejudice, are addictions, which are in grained, deep in one’s psychic, and, they can definitely, be a hindrance, to spiritual development. Many Christians know, that it is biblically wrong, to practice racial discrimination, but, they cannot help it, because it is an addiction. Not only this, but, the Christian must recognize, his or her prejudice and racist attitude. Just as the alcoholic, must admit that he or she is an alcoholic, the Christian must admit, his or her, prejudice and racist attitude. Below are a few biblical scriptures, concerning the issue of prejudice and race:
(a) Numbers, 12:1-16
(b) ST. Luke, 10:25-37
(c) Galatians, 2:11-21.
Racism and prejudice, has no room in the kingdom of God, and, all born again Christians,( including myself) must understand this. Both racism and prejudice, are much harder addictions, for the average individual to grasp, because they are highly embedded in our political culture, through the agents of political socialization, such as the family, the schools and education, the church, and the mass media. No individual, can be totally free, from, these two major elements, because of the imperfection and sin nature of human beings. However, much of our racist and prejudice attitudes, can be eradicated by the power of Jesus Christ. No, multicultural programs, cannot not do it. Multicultural programs, only allows one to develop the theory of “ Tolerance”, meaning, having the ability, to accept different racial groups and their beliefs, while being in their presence, but, once the individual is no longer, in the presence of that particular person or racial group, he or she will go back home, with the same old prejudice and racist attitude. Multicultural programs, do not work, but Jesus Christ does.
The Bowtie Professor Speaks!
Tags: Prejudice Attitudes, The Christian
This entry was posted on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 6:38 pm and is filed under Politics And Race Relations, Religion and Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
A christian should not see color but what is insides ones heart. Jesus never looked at race he loves us all to the ponit that he died for the whole world not just one spcefic race but a nation in it self. There is no color when it comes to jesus
The way i see this is, We are all the same , all born the same way for the most part. No matter what your religion is or not , we all came from somewhere and Whatever your religion would be , there has to be only one God and he looks at everyone the same way and expects the same from everyone. My opinion is you should not look at someones ethnicity or where they came from or are from and Just back up there own racial group.
GOVT 2302 TR 11am-12:20
This would be another area that the 12 step program for hoes could be applied. Race issues are so engrained in a generation that it is, in my opinion, to completely remove it in ones self. I think that it takes generation after generation of active anti-prejudice actions, training, upbringing, and thinking to make the change. Although we have a freedom of speech, as long as groups are aloud to speak out there prejudice agendas, our journey toward a prejudice world is hindered. From looking back into history, it would seem that we are making progress toward this goal, but we cannot become stagnate in our efforts. We need to everything we can to take hold of the prejudice thoughts and not let them leave our mouths or come fourth through our actions. By doing this, we set the ground work for our next generation to bringing down the walls of racism just a little further, and making this world better than we found it. Christian should be at the front of this effort. I find reverse racism to be a large issue today, and this is brought from fight racism the wrong way for today. Generations ago it may have been the appropriate answer, but today in an effort to balance the system we are feed the flame of racism. I don’t know the best way to win in this fight. I only know that I will try to shed the racism passed on to me and educate my children against racism.
I truely believe that all can recover from addictions. I do believe that dependence behavior can be destructive to our life. There are 12 steps of recovery, and the first 3 steps are crucial. The first step is “We admitted we were powerless over our addiction (whatever that may be), that our lives had become unmanageable.” The second step is “We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could and will restore us to sanity.” The idea here is that we cannot make manageable whatever is out of control. Once you accept that something is unmanageable by you alone, working this step becomes easier. The third step is “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understood Him.” I truely believe we can alter our ways of thinking and behaving, after we work and accept step 3. My God loves all his creations, no matter what size, color, or gender. We are all unique in many ways and so I do agree that much of our racist and prejudice attitudes, can be eradicated by the power of Jesus Christ.
A christain person should accept all races and not even see the diffrence between their brothers and sisters. we were all made in his image so why would we downgrade any other race. i know that we can make some changes and see things in a diffrent light hopefully soon.
Well as for me i have grown up in a pentocastol church. Not saying that it is the only denomation i can relate to. Whites, hispanic, baptist and so on. I hope we all serve the same god because the god i serve has no race he loves everything that he has created. And so should we we are all brothers and sister in christ.
A christian should not see race. Who are we to judge somebody else. You should accept everybody how they are no matter the race. I have been to a lot of diffrent churches and I can say that as long as we have faith will be good.
As Christians we have to hold ourselfs accountable for all of our actions. Even in 2010 race is such a huge issue. It was brought to the light when Obama was elected president. I remember my mother who works at a predominately white company came home and told us different stories. Most of her co-workers (mainly white) are christians. They would pass around the christians fowards and constantly talk about Christ which is totally fine. However, whenever Obama was campaigning those some Christians sent out ugly messages that didn’t even pertain to the campaign. Not only were the emails unprofessional, they were not Christ like. My mothers most the day after Obama was elected was very candid about her feelings. She wasnt happy. My mother told her “God placed him as our commander in chief and as Christians we’re supposed to pray for our leaders”. The rest of the day her boss said nothing. She knew my mother was right. Often times we allow our flesh to control us. As black people we dont support each other as we should. As a people we defintely don’t. That is not how God wants it. We are supposed to support on another in Christ and I believe we should.