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Accusations of intolerance and prejudice are being leveled by members of both sides of the racial divide these days. Prejudice defined as dislike or distrust of people solely based on their being of another race, religion, or country. An opinion formed not on fact but on rumor, innuendo or others supposed experiences. To be honest, we are all probably somewhat prejudiced. There is however, a big difference between prejudices and being racist, which is: the practice of discrimination, segregation and separation based on doctrines of supposed racial differences in character and intelligence; allowing for feelings of racial superiority. The problem with accepting prejudices is that it is the first step to racism and bigotry: a stubborn, narrow-minded opinion held regardless of reality.

The Jena 6 episode gives stark testimony to the long-standing difficulties blacks and whites in this country have tried to overcome – evidently with only limited success. On first hearing of the white boy who was mercilessly beaten by a gang of blacks, I was ready to join the crowd crying for “justice.” But what is justice? Trying young boys as adults? Jailing them for attacking their adversary with a deadly weapon – their feet and shoes – although you certainly could kill a person by kicking them repeatedly. And what about the blind eye turned to the antagonisms that led to the beating by the adults in charge? The “whites only” tree hung with nooses after blacks dared to congregate there, the shotgun brandished by a white boy which was then taken from him by blacks – who were then punished for possession of a weapon. Who really knows for sure what was said or done that finally instigated the brutal beating, but does that excuse the degree to which the black kids finally retaliated? Was the harassment inflicted on them by the white kids so bad that we are now beholden to look the other way? Should they, as some say, be set free with no consequences? Is this typical of all whites in Jena, Louisiana – the South – America, as some black leaders are now claiming. Does this one incident typify the attitudes and actions of all blacks, as some whites are suggesting?

Accusations are flying fast and furious, sometimes with little regard for the truth – on both sides. Where should Christians take their stand in all this? Especially when you consider that prejudices aren’t found just between black and white but between religions, the religious and non-religious, between states and countries, males and females, old and young, rich and poor. Does scripture say anything on this topic? “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female,” nor, “…barbarian, (or) Scythian,…” We are all one in Christ Jesus. For, “…the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,”…as, “Christ is all, and is in all.” Romans 10:12, Galatians 3:28 and Colossians 3:11

Jew and Gentile – white and black. Slave and free – upper, middle or lower class. Barbarian and Scythian – educated and uneducated. All need to be saved and are all worthy in Christ of salvation. “For God does not show favoritism.” Romans 2:11 Nor will he accept its being shown by us. “…, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here’s a good seat for you.’ But say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet’, have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? …If you really keep the royal law found in scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin…” James 2:1-4,8,9 As Christians, we need to be extra sensitive of others feelings and realize that we will be held accountable for how we react to their “different-ness.” (Romans 12:16, Philippians 2:3 & Matthew 7:12) For, “Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong and there is no favoritism.”, there either. Colossians 3:25 It should be reassuring to realize that, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. (As unforgiving, grudge-held anger leads to vengefulness) Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ (a term of contempt) is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (Matthew 5:21,22) That bothers me. I have had some of those thoughts. So what’s the big deal? You are not apt to lead anyone to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ if you hold them in contempt. Spiritually you’ve committed murder. You may have figuratively and literally told them to, ‘Go to hell!’ That is an emotion and mind-set God will not tolerate.

There is a certain irony in the prejudices held between whites of different backgrounds and origins in our country’s early settlement years. English hated French who made fun of Germans. Italians ridiculed the Spanish who looked down their noses on the Scotts and Irish. Protestants feared and hated Catholics because of what had been inflicted on them in the Old World while Catholics felt the same as a result of what was now being done to them in the New. But after a while – we all blended together in appearance and language. Negroes, Asians, Indians, Latinos, Mexicans can’t. They still stand out as easy targets.

Yet can we go too far the other way? Should inclusion, tolerance of differences, acceptance of diversity in culture and background equate to an anything goes – everything’s right attitude? We must accept people, but how about behavior? We must understand people’s past which may modify our expectations, but must we excuse bad behavior as a result? We may note differing maturity levels of people but should we allow immaturity to dictate what we teach and where we lead? Sometimes we can be so understanding and helpful as to facilitate or encourage bad behavior. Do we accept immorality because of the oft heard excuse, “God made me this way.’? Or wink at sin because, ‘The Devil made me do it.’ or ‘I didn’t know any better’? Can we, should we, expect better? People will blame everybody else – God and the Devil included – when in fact, in contemplating right and wrong, they chose to do wrong. For whatever reason, wrong appeared more attractive or was easier than doing right; while the first step to repentance from wrong is the realization of it. Some things aren’t right; that does not give us the right to abuse anyone but does give us the responsibility to stand strong and lovingly say so.

What’s the solution? Removal? Ship all non-whites back where they came from? Lincoln tried that during the Civil War, offering to send blacks to Liberia with a grub stake for new settlement. A few took him up on the offer – Liberia meaning Liberty – but most didn’t want to go! Why should they? The only home they knew was here. Punish all whites for the stupidity practiced by others years ago? Hardly fair or equitable. Separation? Separate but equal was tried; didn’t work, never will. Who defines what equal is? When it comes right down to it, the question is, ‘Do we really know blacks? (or vice versa) Not as a people but as persons. What makes you uncomfortable and why? Are they really all bad? Are we really all good? Truth be told, we are all pretty much the same. As people, we all need love, understanding, acceptance and help. Who’s going to give it? Is it government’s responsibility, in whole or in part? Is welfare or affirmative action the answer or just a stop-gap, a step up, or an excuse? Who’s responsibility is it anyway? John 3:16 declares that, “Whosoever believes” will be saved. Jesus assuring us that, “…the Son of man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19:10 He didn’t wait for the needy to come to him. He came to us! All of us. And as Matthew 28:19 points out, our responsibility is to minister to and “make disciples of all nations,…” as well.

In fact, I wonder if God see races of people at all or if he distinguishes between us solely on the grounds of whether we are saved or unsaved? The Godly attribute Samuel recognized is still true today. “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 So what should our outlook be? “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:1-8; who gave his all for us all. (See also Romans 12:9-18)

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

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