In the New Testament, it teaches that people shouldn’t judge each other. In Matthew 7v1-3 it says, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way as you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” This means if you judge someone, they will judge you back for judging them in the first place. For example, if a black man goes into a shop, and the shop keeper starts to serve him, then a white man comes in, and the shop keeper helps the white man, knowing, the black man still needs help. The black man would then judge him back by thinking he is a nasty racist man.
Peter asked Jesus, “lord how many times shale I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus replies, “I tell you not seven times but twenty seven times.” This teaching means no matter how many times someone sins, you should always forgive them because God is also forgiving. There is contradiction here, because in Acts 2v37-39 it says, “Repent and be baptised, everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sin. And you will receive the holy spirit.” This is basically saying if you do not forgive other people for their sins, God will not forgive you.
In Leviticus 19v33-34, it teaches that you should treat people who are different from you the same, because sometimes you are different from other people. “Do not ill-treat foreigners who are living in your land. Treat them as you would a fellow-Israelite, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the lord your God.”
In Galatians 3v28, it says everyone is equal, no matter if they’re male or female, slaves or freemen and religion. “So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between men and women, you are all one in union with Christ Jesus.” Again the bible contradicts itself, if men and women are have no difference, how come the churches are being racist against women becoming priests?
Jesus said, “Do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy, weather he is a bother Israelite or an alien living in one of your towns. Pay him his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and is counting on it. Otherwise he may cry to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty of sin.” This means treat the poor with respect and treat them fairly and equal or you will commit sin.
What the Christian Churches teach, and believe about Prejudice and Discrimination
The Baptists church believes that all people are equal in the eyes of God.
The Church of England acknowledges that there is still a long way to go within the church locally, and globally to put an end to discrimination.
The Methodists church believes that racism contradicts Jesus’ teachings.
The Roman Catholics church believes that differences should be respected, and that all human beings are brothers and sisters. They also believe charity and justice should be fairly directed at all.
The Salvation Army opposes all discrimination and supports all human civil rights initiatives.
The Creed of the United Reformed Church states that “…all people are created in God’s image and are free and equal in His sight.”
Section B
I will look now look at the churches first, to see what they do to help these problems.
The Baptist Union has an Equal Opportunities Policy for staff, and supports any positive efforts in favour of women and other minorities.
The Church of England have established a ‘Race and Community Relations Committee’, which addresses such issues as; immigration laws, unemployment amongst blacks and Asians and black people in the prison system. The Church of England Committee on ‘Black Anglican Concerns’ addresses racism within the church. Also, The Church of England produces study packs and other literature on race for local churches.
Methodist are committed to a multi-racial society as being economically, socially, culturally and spiritually beneficial for all.
‘The Catholic Association for Racial Justice’ actively campaigns against racism.
The Salvation Army opposes all discrimination and supports all human and civil rights initiatives.
The Creed of the United Reformed Church states that ‘…all people are created in God’s image and are free and equal in His sight.’
Now, I will look at what an average Christian can do in order to help these problems.
- They might make a special effort to avoid making judgements about people before they know them.
- If they are at work, they could do all they can to make sure that equal opportunities policies are implemented.
- They could make it clear to the friends and colleagues that they disapprove of racist or sexist jokes.
- They could try to bring up their children to share their views about humanity, being equal, valuable.
- They could pray about the problems caused by racism and sexism.
- They could join an organisation, which campaigns for equality.
- They could make sure that members of the community who are from ethnic minorities are made to feel welcome, included and respected.
- They could use their votes to support a candidate whose policies are anti-racist and sexist.
- They could take part in a peaceful demonstration.
In extreme cases, people dedicate their lives to try to solve these problems. I will look at two individuals achievements, motives and how they link to the bible teachings, then finally compare them both at the end.
Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King was born on 15th January 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America. He wanted to teach other people about Jesus, Jesus’ teachings, and to care towards every other human.
In 1948, Martin Luther King organised a peaceful protest, because he wanted equal rights for black people in America. He probably decided to do this because the way he was brought up with his white friends going to a different school from himself.
In Montgomery, if a white person got onto a bus, a black person were made to give up their own seat, for the white person, no matter the age or sex of the black person. Martin Luther King noticed this problem, and he decided to set up a bus boycott in December 1955. All black people would not use the buses until the law was changed at the end of 1956.
On May 17th 1956, 37,000 black and white people protested for black people to vote. By the time 1960-61, black and white people stood together in harmony.
Martin Luther King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968.
He did these things because he was feed up of how black people were being treated, not only in Southern America, but globally as well. He may have taken his belief from the bible teaching; “Gods people had a special responsibility to treat people of other races in the right way.” Also, he did not approve on how white people got paid more than black people got, for doing the same job. This belief may of come from the bible teaching, “Do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy, weather he is a brother Israelite or an alien living in one of your towns.”
He wanted to teach people the right way to treat people, and to help finish of Jesus’ teachings.
Mother Teresa
