- Family – This will be the primary source of ideas and includes a child’s relatives.
- Peer groups – Some children alter their ideas and opinions to fit in with those of their friends.
- Scapegoating – When a minority group is blamed for the economic downfalls.
- Ignorance – It is often easier to believe a rumour than to check the facts.
One or a combination of these factors may affect the way people act towards others and their responsibility for others. From a Christian perspective, it is thought that Christians should love their neighbours, regardless of their race, physical ability or social background. But some people discard Jesus’ teachings and discriminate against others because they are different.
Some Christians go as far as devoting their life to the needs of others, and work for racial equality, equal rights and exposing those who discriminate. A biblical example of someone who helped someone without regarding his or her race or religion first is the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). He fulfilled Jesus’ teaching by helping the man who fell to the hands of robbers. Jesus said ‘Go and do likewise.’ (11:37) People today should learn from this that they have a responsibility to help others regardless of their race, religion, physical ability, physical appearance, gender or social background.
The Bible teaches Christians to not pre-judge others, and Christians can learn from the teaching about Peter and Cornelius in Acts 11:1-18. Some Christians follow this and believe that we should mix with people from other cultures and backgrounds and do as Peter did when he ate with the uncircumcised men.
Not everyone shares the same opinion about his or her responsibility for others. Some people are ignorant to the fact that global discrimination is still taking place, and because it does not directly affect them.
Finally, there are many Christians who believe that it is their responsibility to uphold the universal unity that was primarily bestowed upon the earth. Galatians 3:28 says ‘…all of you are one in Christ,’ and Titus 3:10 says
‘…have nothing more to do with anyone who causes divisions.’
These two passages insist on sustaining the harmonious unity by disregarding yet respecting people’s individuality.
In conclusion, it is clear that there is a diverse Christian view towards a Christian’s responsibility, but if Jesus’ teachings are followed, than a harmonious unity can be achieved.
