RACISM
Racism
Racism is discrimination and prejudice against people based on their race or ethnicity. Racism can be present in social actions, practices, or political systems (e.g. apartheid) that support the expression of prejudice or aversion in discriminatory practices. The ideology underlying racist practices often assumes that humans can be subdivided into distinct groups that are different in their social behavior and innate capacities and that can be ranked as inferior or superior. Racist ideology can become manifest in many aspects of social life. Associated social actions may include nativism, xenophobia, otherness, segregation, hierarchical ranking, supremacism, and related social phenomena.
Racism: prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism by an individual, community, or institution against a person or people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.
Synonyms for racism: apartheid, bias, bigotry, discrimination, segregation, unfairness, illiberality, partiality, racialism, sectarianism, one-sidedness
Racism: prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism by an individual, community, or institution against a person or people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.
Synonyms for racism: apartheid, bias, bigotry, discrimination, segregation, unfairness, illiberality, partiality, racialism, sectarianism, one-sidedness
Uprooting the Racism of American Churches
The heritage of evangelical Christianity in the United States is founded upon systemic racism that perpetuated itself generation after generation for centuries. Although both the church and America remains racially divided today, you and I can participate in a future where healing takes place.
(Black Information Network 11/6/23)
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The heritage of evangelical Christianity in the United States is founded upon systemic racism that perpetuated itself generation after generation for centuries. Although both the church and America remains racially divided today, you and I can participate in a future where healing takes place.
(Black Information Network 11/6/23)
READMORE>>>>>
White Christians More Likely To Deny Racism Exists: Study
White Christians are more likely to deny that racism exists, according to a new survey. The survey, which was conducted by the Pew Research Center in April, asked Americans to answer the following question about race relations: “Which issue poses a more significant challenge to the country regarding race – the tendency to overlook racism when it’s present or the inclination to perceive racism where it doesn’t exist?”
(James Travis Young/Sacred Outcasts 10/3/23)
READMORE>>>>>
White Christians are more likely to deny that racism exists, according to a new survey. The survey, which was conducted by the Pew Research Center in April, asked Americans to answer the following question about race relations: “Which issue poses a more significant challenge to the country regarding race – the tendency to overlook racism when it’s present or the inclination to perceive racism where it doesn’t exist?”
(James Travis Young/Sacred Outcasts 10/3/23)
READMORE>>>>>
April 16, 2022:
An article at "Active Christianity" states that "When we think of Jesus’ coming to earth, we understand that it was to create an upheaval – a transition of power. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” was His message from the very beginning (Matthew 4:17). When Jesus was born, the land was occupied by the Roman empire. The Emmaus pilgrims who spoke to Jesus on the road after His resurrection told Him that they hoped that Jesus would be the one to redeem Israel (Luke 24:21). They were thinking of an external political upheaval, in which Israel was freed from the yoke of the Romans. It took time for the disciples to realize that it was a completely different kind of transition of power that Jesus brought about. It was the dominion of the throne of the heart that was at stake. For the life of a person proceeds from the heart (Proverbs 4:23)."
I believe this is being played out even today by people who believe, like the Emmaus pilgrims, that their assumed relationship with God is to bring about change through politics. That is not true and, in fact, think it just more likely to make things worse. Their effort will not be Biblically based even though they claim it is. It appears to be of those movements that does whatever it wants to push its own political ends and by peppering it with Bible verses it makes it a "mission from God." God really isnt impressed by how many Bible verses you can quote. True wisdom begins with the the fear of the lord which is the beginning of wisdom and where knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)
An article at "Active Christianity" states that "When we think of Jesus’ coming to earth, we understand that it was to create an upheaval – a transition of power. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” was His message from the very beginning (Matthew 4:17). When Jesus was born, the land was occupied by the Roman empire. The Emmaus pilgrims who spoke to Jesus on the road after His resurrection told Him that they hoped that Jesus would be the one to redeem Israel (Luke 24:21). They were thinking of an external political upheaval, in which Israel was freed from the yoke of the Romans. It took time for the disciples to realize that it was a completely different kind of transition of power that Jesus brought about. It was the dominion of the throne of the heart that was at stake. For the life of a person proceeds from the heart (Proverbs 4:23)."
I believe this is being played out even today by people who believe, like the Emmaus pilgrims, that their assumed relationship with God is to bring about change through politics. That is not true and, in fact, think it just more likely to make things worse. Their effort will not be Biblically based even though they claim it is. It appears to be of those movements that does whatever it wants to push its own political ends and by peppering it with Bible verses it makes it a "mission from God." God really isnt impressed by how many Bible verses you can quote. True wisdom begins with the the fear of the lord which is the beginning of wisdom and where knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)
April 15, 2022:
There is a blog called "A Biblical Worldview" that adds to the name this qualification: "The most politically incorrect blog on the internet, devoted to the glory of the LORD Jesus Christ." I thought, well OK, let's see what is here. The latest post was from April 9 and titled "The End is Near." The author writes a bit of history to back his comments and then mentions, BTW, that organizations like BLM can be summarized this way: Money appears to be the goal of this group, and now that they have a lot of it from corporations and private donors alike.. ????????
But the author expands his rhetoric with comments that would make Tucker Carlson proud: Rulers in power making it illegal to buy the very medicine that would cure the ailment, they also closed businesses, caused people to lose their livelihoods, forced medical treatment on free citizens, and forced people to wear face diapers in order to manipulate them and cause psychological damage. {??} Of, course, we know who is responsible for that kind of insane rhetoric and hyperbole.
In authors next post is titled "Black American Must Do Better" and, of course, he rates the incident with Will Smith and Chris Rock at the Oscars as a major part of his theme that "Black American Must Do Better." He then pontificates by using right wing nonsense being sent around the internet. Because, you know, when you are pushing "A Biblical View" of the world..the best place to get the news is from some right wing nutjob pushing propaganda and then adding Bible verses to explain things as racist and how because of the Oscars event "black people need to do better."???really??
I, unfortunately, do have experience in understanding these right wing positions as I used to push them myself not all that long ago. The author (I have to say "the author" because I dont know if its male or female..though my guess would be that it is a white male) likely feels very smug and proud of having addressed the problem with such "Biblical" expertise. The author does use Bible verses but they are kind of a filling. The intent of the verse, in the authors mind, aids the authors worldview...but only in the authors mind. Not in the real world. But, thats how right wingers and Christian Nationalists operate. Racism doesn't count if you use Bible verses to accentuate it.
There is a blog called "A Biblical Worldview" that adds to the name this qualification: "The most politically incorrect blog on the internet, devoted to the glory of the LORD Jesus Christ." I thought, well OK, let's see what is here. The latest post was from April 9 and titled "The End is Near." The author writes a bit of history to back his comments and then mentions, BTW, that organizations like BLM can be summarized this way: Money appears to be the goal of this group, and now that they have a lot of it from corporations and private donors alike.. ????????
But the author expands his rhetoric with comments that would make Tucker Carlson proud: Rulers in power making it illegal to buy the very medicine that would cure the ailment, they also closed businesses, caused people to lose their livelihoods, forced medical treatment on free citizens, and forced people to wear face diapers in order to manipulate them and cause psychological damage. {??} Of, course, we know who is responsible for that kind of insane rhetoric and hyperbole.
In authors next post is titled "Black American Must Do Better" and, of course, he rates the incident with Will Smith and Chris Rock at the Oscars as a major part of his theme that "Black American Must Do Better." He then pontificates by using right wing nonsense being sent around the internet. Because, you know, when you are pushing "A Biblical View" of the world..the best place to get the news is from some right wing nutjob pushing propaganda and then adding Bible verses to explain things as racist and how because of the Oscars event "black people need to do better."???really??
I, unfortunately, do have experience in understanding these right wing positions as I used to push them myself not all that long ago. The author (I have to say "the author" because I dont know if its male or female..though my guess would be that it is a white male) likely feels very smug and proud of having addressed the problem with such "Biblical" expertise. The author does use Bible verses but they are kind of a filling. The intent of the verse, in the authors mind, aids the authors worldview...but only in the authors mind. Not in the real world. But, thats how right wingers and Christian Nationalists operate. Racism doesn't count if you use Bible verses to accentuate it.
1960s Civil Rights Movement and the Prosperity Gospel
The black church played an instrumental role in the landmark legislative victories of the Civil Rights Movement in the 60’s. However, there were unintended consequences that came along with those victories.
From the shadow of emancipation until the dawn of desegregation, black communities contained the full depth and breadth of black existence – doctors, lawyers, teachers, musicians, artists, day laborers, share croppers, winos, and petty thieves – the whole gamut of black life. When blacks were allowed through legislative victories to move out of predominately black communities into “better” white communities, the members of the community who were best equipped to take advantage of this “opportunity” were the most educated and affluent. Over time, black communities were depleted of precious resources leaving the makeup of the communities more homogeneously poor and undereducated.
The families that left were still culturally tethered to their former communities by one institution – the black church. These families could not get the authentic black church experience in the suburbs and many families had been tied to these institutions for generations. The black church was a spiritual and cultural lifeline to those who left.
The church desperately needed those families as well. The churches needed to do all that they could to keep the “tithes and offerings” from leaving along with the exodus, so some adopted the prosperity theology as a way to draw back the affluent who wanted the black church experience and have them comfortably fit in with the “least of these”, the undereducated and impoverished from the community. The prosperity ministry held up the affluent as role models and also may have assuaged any anxiety or “survivor’s remorse” that they may have had when returning to a decaying community.
This is a dangerous mix. Any hierarchy implied or otherwise in a spiritual institution based upon material possession is a disaster waiting to happen with the poor and disenfranchised ultimately paying the price and stuffing the coffers as they wait their turn to be blessed – pyramid scheme 101.
--Andre Kimo Stone Guess
Randy Alcorn [Eternal Perspective Ministries]
The black church played an instrumental role in the landmark legislative victories of the Civil Rights Movement in the 60’s. However, there were unintended consequences that came along with those victories.
From the shadow of emancipation until the dawn of desegregation, black communities contained the full depth and breadth of black existence – doctors, lawyers, teachers, musicians, artists, day laborers, share croppers, winos, and petty thieves – the whole gamut of black life. When blacks were allowed through legislative victories to move out of predominately black communities into “better” white communities, the members of the community who were best equipped to take advantage of this “opportunity” were the most educated and affluent. Over time, black communities were depleted of precious resources leaving the makeup of the communities more homogeneously poor and undereducated.
The families that left were still culturally tethered to their former communities by one institution – the black church. These families could not get the authentic black church experience in the suburbs and many families had been tied to these institutions for generations. The black church was a spiritual and cultural lifeline to those who left.
The church desperately needed those families as well. The churches needed to do all that they could to keep the “tithes and offerings” from leaving along with the exodus, so some adopted the prosperity theology as a way to draw back the affluent who wanted the black church experience and have them comfortably fit in with the “least of these”, the undereducated and impoverished from the community. The prosperity ministry held up the affluent as role models and also may have assuaged any anxiety or “survivor’s remorse” that they may have had when returning to a decaying community.
This is a dangerous mix. Any hierarchy implied or otherwise in a spiritual institution based upon material possession is a disaster waiting to happen with the poor and disenfranchised ultimately paying the price and stuffing the coffers as they wait their turn to be blessed – pyramid scheme 101.
--Andre Kimo Stone Guess
Randy Alcorn [Eternal Perspective Ministries]
Apr 7, 2022: Pheonix New Times: Too Close for Comfort: The Ku Klux Klan's Global Headquarters is in Glendale
The global headquarters of the Aryan Nations Knights of the Ku Klux Klan is hidden in plain sight, not in some part of the country you might expect, but right here in metro Phoenix.
The KKK evokes images of mass rallies and terrorizing Black churches in the South, but today it's a far cry from the violent, secret fraternal society founded in Pulaski, Tennessee, on Christmas Eve 1865 to resist the emancipation of slaves.
The global headquarters of the Aryan Nations Knights of the Ku Klux Klan is hidden in plain sight, not in some part of the country you might expect, but right here in metro Phoenix.
The KKK evokes images of mass rallies and terrorizing Black churches in the South, but today it's a far cry from the violent, secret fraternal society founded in Pulaski, Tennessee, on Christmas Eve 1865 to resist the emancipation of slaves.
Feb 24, 2022: Adventist Review: Should Christians Be Color-Blind?
Color blindness is a simplistic framework for relating to the complex realities of contemporary life. It often betrays our inability to see God’s image in those not in our image—whose color, culture, and ethnicity are different from ours.
Color blindness is a simplistic framework for relating to the complex realities of contemporary life. It often betrays our inability to see God’s image in those not in our image—whose color, culture, and ethnicity are different from ours.
There will always be racism because it is a product of pride. My pride will seek out something or someone to criticize and discriminate against to make myself appear better in my own eyes. I point my finger at others and their falsely implied faults to avert any attention to my egregious faults. The Bible calls pride the greatest sin (Psalm 19:13). Self-pride is all about me and must always be defended. “I hate pride and bragging, evil ways and lies.” Proverbs 8:13. There are over 60 verses condemning pride and none condoning it.
Skin color is an easy attribute to use when discriminating against people. It’s worse for Black people because we’re taught that black hats are for bad people and white hats for good people, giving us a negative connotation on the color. These colors have nothing in common and are at opposite ends of the color spectrum. When we apply them to race we insinuate we don’t have anything in common. Our colors are not black and white, probably more like brown and beige, well within the same color range. If I put a white puppy and a black puppy in front of people there would be no discrimination, but if they were children there would be. How crazy and inhumane is that!
“Pride will ruin people.” Proverbs 29:23. -Nancy Dollard
Skin color is an easy attribute to use when discriminating against people. It’s worse for Black people because we’re taught that black hats are for bad people and white hats for good people, giving us a negative connotation on the color. These colors have nothing in common and are at opposite ends of the color spectrum. When we apply them to race we insinuate we don’t have anything in common. Our colors are not black and white, probably more like brown and beige, well within the same color range. If I put a white puppy and a black puppy in front of people there would be no discrimination, but if they were children there would be. How crazy and inhumane is that!
“Pride will ruin people.” Proverbs 29:23. -Nancy Dollard
John Inazu Files
Why would evangelicals not stand with a movement that advocates racial justice in the common ground that they share? Why would they not work with atheists who care about helping to educate kids in inner-city schools? Why would they not work with progressive secular groups in a common effort to allow citizens the right to protest in public spaces regardless of their beliefs or ideologies? Why would they not work with gay rights groups against bullying of LGBTQ teenagers?
Evangelicals can pursue such common ground where it exists. They can work with non-Christian groups such as the Interfaith Youth Core on college campuses, support religious freedom for Muslims in court and partner with nonbelievers in improving cities.
Evangelicals can wholeheartedly affirm causes of racial justice in the areas where they agree. They can, in the words on the website blacklivesmatter.com, commit “to collectively, lovingly and courageously working vigorously for freedom and justice for Black people and, by extension all people.”
Evangelicals can affirm, as that same website does, “Black folks’ contributions to this society, [their] humanity, and [their] resilience in the face of deadly oppression.” They can use this common ground and these areas of agreement as avenues for exploring a deeper awareness of the challenges and a deeper yearning for solutions.
Finding common ground does not mean endorsing every goal or every value of the people to whom we draw near. But it does mean drawing near. That is at the heart of the vision of what I have called “confident pluralism.” That vision is a challenge to enter into the reality of pluralism around us to find common ground. And we can do so out of a confidence in our own beliefs.
Pursuing meaningful common ground requires actions, not just words. But it begins by asking the right questions. InterVarsity asked the right question to a largely evangelical audience: not whether #BlackLivesMatter is friend or foe, but whether black lives matter. For some people in this country, religious and nonreligious, the answer to that question is that they do not. InterVarsity has said black lives do matter, but that is the beginning — not the end — of engagement. ---John Inazu; Washington Post; 1.6.16
Evangelicals can pursue such common ground where it exists. They can work with non-Christian groups such as the Interfaith Youth Core on college campuses, support religious freedom for Muslims in court and partner with nonbelievers in improving cities.
Evangelicals can wholeheartedly affirm causes of racial justice in the areas where they agree. They can, in the words on the website blacklivesmatter.com, commit “to collectively, lovingly and courageously working vigorously for freedom and justice for Black people and, by extension all people.”
Evangelicals can affirm, as that same website does, “Black folks’ contributions to this society, [their] humanity, and [their] resilience in the face of deadly oppression.” They can use this common ground and these areas of agreement as avenues for exploring a deeper awareness of the challenges and a deeper yearning for solutions.
Finding common ground does not mean endorsing every goal or every value of the people to whom we draw near. But it does mean drawing near. That is at the heart of the vision of what I have called “confident pluralism.” That vision is a challenge to enter into the reality of pluralism around us to find common ground. And we can do so out of a confidence in our own beliefs.
Pursuing meaningful common ground requires actions, not just words. But it begins by asking the right questions. InterVarsity asked the right question to a largely evangelical audience: not whether #BlackLivesMatter is friend or foe, but whether black lives matter. For some people in this country, religious and nonreligious, the answer to that question is that they do not. InterVarsity has said black lives do matter, but that is the beginning — not the end — of engagement. ---John Inazu; Washington Post; 1.6.16