In this piece of coursework I will be looking at six biblical teachings and how they refer to racism.
- “All humans are made in the image of god.” (Genesis, OT)
This teaching is saying that god was the one who created lie on earth. We are all made in the image of god (not physically since we don’t know what he looks like.) we are spiritually in the image of god. This means that we all have the same characteristics as god. E.g. reason, free will and eternal life. To be in god’s image we are like the inside of him, which means if we are all like god, the race doesn’t matter. All races are equal (in worth and value) in god’s eyes. Racism is a lack of respect for all of god’s creations
- “Love the foreigner for you were the foreigners in the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy OT)
This quote says that the Jews were the foreigners in Egypt they were slaves there. Judaism isn’t race as well as a religion that originated from Israel. The Jews all know what discrimination / prejudice feels like, so they wouldn’t want others going through the same as they once did. They were brought up not to discriminate others but to treat them with the same respect they would want back. This links o the golden rule which is “treat others the way you wish to be treated.” After reading this a Christian would have a totally different attitude towards racism on how wrong it is and how it goes against the word “Agape love.”
- “Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, let the oppressed go free.” (Isaiah OT)
Isaiah was believed all over because he was a prophet. He spoke the words of god. “Oppression” meaning to strip someone of their given rights. “Yoke” meaning to restrain someone. Racism is one of many forms of oppression. You are taking away the rights of someone to be just like you, to be equal. He (Isaiah) is comparing injustice to deep things such as “chains” as they are meant to be very serious and oppressive. After a Christian would have read this teaching, they would think twice before they let whatever comes out their mouth and treat others equally with the same respect as what is wanted.
- “Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Jesus NT)
Since Jesus was the son on God, Christians believe that this is one of the most important teachings of all. (As Jesus said it.) To show your appreciation towards god, this law shouldn’t be broken. Treat others the way you wish to be treated. The word “neighbour” can mean anyone, not just your next door neighbour. So showing love / respect to others will have its own great rewards. Everyone should be treated the same no matter what race, colour or philosophies. The word Agape is an unconditional love, full of beliefs of equal rights and respect towards others. By Christians showing Agape love towards other people they are showing their love towards god. To disrespect others is to disrespect god. There are many different types of the word love such as Eros; erotic, sexual love, Philia; love shown between friends and Storge; love between family members
- “The parable of the Good Samaritan.” (Jesus NT)
This quote is like a follow up of the teaching “love your neighbour as yourself” the parable goes “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he travelled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii’s, and gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return." (Taken from .
A Jewish man was mugged and neither the priest nor the Levite helped him. A priest being a priest should always help one who is down. However, he didn’t touch him because he was afraid that the victim would be dead, and by touching a dead you become unclean, and would have to undergo a certain ceremony to become clean again. The Levite didn’t help him because he disgusted Jews. It was a racist thing. They each argued about whose temples were the best. Then a man of mixed race (meaning that your mother came from one race and your father came from another) came and helped him. His race had something against Jews but still, he put his differences aside and helped him. By helping one another, you are showing your affection towards god. He overcame the racial barriers and showed Agape love. He put the golden rule into practice.
- “There is no difference between Jews and Gentile, between men and women; you are one in Jesus Christ.” (Paul NT)
The word Gentile is another word for a Non-Jew. This quote is saying that there is no difference between races and gender. We are all the same in worth and value. All as one. The quote “all humans are made in the image of god,” backs this up. Jesus didn’t die for “nothing,” he died for peace, for equality and for the rights of others.
Church Teachings
Both, the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England have done various things in terms of helping against racism. This is a statement from the Roman Catholic Church,
“The Church reproves as foreign to the mind of Christ, any discrimination against people or any other harassment of the, on the basis of their race, colour, condition in life or religion.”
They played a huge part in preventing all Nazi movement; they did this by showing how wrongly they were going about it.
The Church of England has held debates and discussions to edify others of the corruption of racism.
The Missionaries has worked very hard to get rid of racism in all areas of the world.
Churches were not allowed to be shared by both black and white people. They had to go to separate churches or else they would be frowned upon and had the life beaten out of. However, now it’s all mixed. White people have black priests and vice versa.
