Posted on 02/05/2014 6:47:47 PM PST by nickcarraway
For years, Racism has been defended by fastidious individuals by means of quoting selective portions of the Holy Scriptures. While proliferating this ignorance, these people are quick to quote Old Testament verses to justify many actions as such, but not limited to: slavery, prejudice, injustice, and pride. Even today, prejudice is still a “hot topic” for many people. Like the ancient arguments, the bible is, or so it appears, to be the source for racial justification. Let’s take another look! In doing so we’ll attempt to take the time to finally debunk this archaic myth. Jesus said (John 10:5) “my sheep know my voice and a stranger they will not follow.” It is tragic when people quote the bible to justify their own self righteousness and indignation when nothing can be farther from the truth.
The Bible and Slavery
The bible is revered as the “world’s bestseller,” yet, a paradox of human frailty reveals the fact that it is also the #1 stolen book on the planet; conversely, the bible does deal with slavery. Yes, the bible does validate slavery. However, as we look deeper at scripture, we find that the bible does not justify slavery, or at least not in the manner that racists try to impose on us. The word slavery as used in the Old Testament was often used interchangeably for what we call today, “indentured servitude“. So,KKK-Jesus-saves basically, slaves of the Old Testament were indentured servants.
But how does the bible not justify slavery? It does not condone slavery. It gives us instructions on how slaves were to be treated. Most importantly, the bible speaks against the act of “man stealing“, which is what happened to Africans in the past. This is what the bible condemns. As we all know Jesus Himself spoke numerous times against prejudice. He says we are all one race: the human race. The bible itself never stresses a particular skin color or ethnicity over another.
Slave Owners
Although just a movie, I can remember watching the film, Twelve Years a Slave; the slave master was trying to indoctrinate the masses of slaves that the bible teaches that slavery is just. He finishes his lecture with the declarative phrase, “This is Scripture“. Ones initial reaction would be, “Dude, get a life!” But this depiction is based on real life events and this kind of indoctrination did happen during this course of history. Unfortunately, historical accounts are typically swayed towards the opinions or ethnicity of the writer.
The Ku Klux Klan and Black Panther Party
While this can be a touchy subject, both ethnocentric groups, the Ku Klux Klan and The Black Panther Party were among a number of groups who applied the bible to justify their missions. The same holds true for some Islamic groups. A commonly used phrase was “do not mix kinds” (even though this is not found in scripture, not even by interpretation). The biblical intention of not mixing is an instruction by God that pagans and believers should not intermarry. Even this verse is intended to be explained. God, according to the bible, did not want believers to intermarry with pagans and submit themselves to a blasphemous lifestyle. Instead, believers should be influential advocates by virtue of their love. The racism, hatred and divisiveness we see in politics and social media has no place in the pulpit, schools or progressive communities of our time.
In the present day, racism has breached our politicians and other elected officials, in my view, because they allow their personal perspective to be shaped by the lens of their politics. Our elected representatives are supposed to convey the will of the people. This is what I call the great divide. Political principles should be about choosing the best candidate. Instead, we circumvent the natural process by “not voting” because we don’t identify with the candidate pool. We’re often tempted to choose the candidate who runs the best smear campaign instead of the person with the best policies and innovative ideas.
It really saddens me to see a politician say one thing to his base in the primary; then move closer to the center as the campaign moves toward the general election. A spiel designed specifically for Caucasians, as the case may be and another to woo African Americans. When will this madness stop? Why is this? Because of racism, prejudice, and ethnic pride many will fail to see or inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
These are not my words, it’s found in the Scriptures. One day, we as a nation, will adhere to the premise outlined in the bible that is referred to as The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Rising up to live out this decree we will survive as a nation and the racist will be powerless to adversely affect our outlook on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Can the church say Amen???!!!
Is that the original title? I’m seeing that same subject/verb disagreement (singular subject with plural verb) becoming more and more widely used. Either he meant to say “Can a racist love Jesus” or “Can racists love Jesus.”
I posted it as it was. Probably a typo.
>>and the racist will be powerless to adversely affect our outlook on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Yawn. The only racists that I’ve seen wield any real power in my 51 year lifetime are black racists.
As for “adversely affecting our outlook”...well, if you let ANYONE affect your outlook, that’s a problem with YOUR self-esteem. Put on your big boy pants and soldier on.
Yo Stanley - Arabs and Black Africans were the largest and most brutal slaveowners by far.
You had to cross the ocean and come to America to find a few million white men willing and able to fight and die to free the blacks from slavery.
Oh yeah, and by the way - they won. They freed the slaves. In case you didn’t notice, I mean (and it appears you haven’t).
That in your frickin’ “research”?
~ Larry Elder, The Ten Things You Can't Say In America
It was his spellchecker; it doesn’t do Ebonics very well...
While I think this is an important topic that needs good, honest, thorough discussion, I think a few things should be looked at before discussing. One of those was mentioned in the article, what slavery meant in the Old Testament times to the Jews and what slavery was in early America and other places in the world. By Old Testament standards, my Navy enlistment was slavery. In other words, be sure to define the terms. Know what they meant in the Bible and what you mean today.
The other word that needs to be defined is “racism”. To some, loving your race more then the race of others is “racism”. But then with that broad of a term, you would have to say that loving blondes more then brunettes is “hairism” and needs to be abolished or shunned. If you define racism as hating another person, without knowing them and just on the basis of their race alone, then I would accept that term, and say that’s bad. Also, racism doesn’t have to be the reason you avoid a certain group of people of one certain race that might be walking toward you. You might be avoiding them because common knowledge tells you that you may be in danger near that group, so you avoid them.
I didn’t like the Super Bowl ad where America’s National Anthem was sung in other languages. It isn’t because I hate those other races or languages, but because I felt it was disrespectful to the true origins of the song and the foundation of our Country. I would never think of going to France and singing their National Anthem in English, so why is it alright to do it here? However, once the word “racist” gets thrown out there, it’s nearly impossible to have an honest discussion of what you believe, so in mixed company, I usually refrain from comment.
No, but does black liberation theology teach this?
I don't know, Stanley. Why don't you look in the mirror and ask yourself?
Racists, all racists, are too busy looking for hate than trying to find someone/something to love, let alone Jesus. Racism is a chosen lifestyle same as any other CHOSEN lifestyle.
Look at eric the red. Where is room in his own massive revenge oriented ego for a Jesus?
Can racists love Jesus?
Hmmm, so the question is; Could Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Eric Holder, Jeremiah Wright, Spike Lee and scores of others of that ilk love Jesus?
Probably not.
Do you know that Jesus is black?
In answer to the question raised by the title, and if we define racism as hating people because of their race, then no, they cannot love Jesus.
For example, if a person claims to be a Christian but hates black people, I can show them from scripture that Jesus is black.
On the other hand, I can also prove the same point for people who are white, Asian, Hispanic (not a race but still applicable), or any other ethnicity, nationality or language.
Because the Bible says that God has chosen to save people from every tribe, language and nation. This salvation process is enacted by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in these people. So the scripture says that “Christ IS ALL.” That is, He is every race, nationality and language.
Colossians 3:11
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
But we individually lose our racial, ethnic and linguistic distinctions before the throne of God. By faith we become part of that promised “seed of Abraham”.
Galations 3:16 and 29
Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ...
And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Depends on your definition of racist. If you hate, dislike or discount people just because they are of a particular race, you are a racist. If you are truthful about people of a particular race when the truths are not complimentary, but do not hate, dislike or discount them, and treat them as individuals, you are not a racist.
Except to the left, that is. Any disagreement with a minority individual is a racist assault in their myopic eyes!
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