Racism was rife during the South African Apartheid regime .
“ The disappearance of colonial regimes or situations of racial discrimination has therefore not always meant the end of racism in States which have become independent in Africa and Asia . Within the artificial borders left behind by the colonial powers , cohabitation by ethnic groups with different traditions , languages , cultures and even religions , often runs up against obstacles of mutual hostilities that can be characterized as racist .” [ 3 ]
A more modern form of racism is : “ Ethnocentricity . This is a very widespread attitude whereby a people have a natural tendency to defend its identity by denigrating that of others to the point that , at least symbolically , it refuses to recognize their full human quality . This behavior undoubtedly responds to an instinctive need to protect the values , beliefs and customs of one ’ s own community which seem threatened by those of other communities .” [ 4 ] The evolution of Rastafari in Jamaica and The Nation of Islam in The United States
7
Point Action Plan :
Change racist attitudes , within the church first by :
1 . Accepting the fact that we are all one human family .
2 . Appealing first of all to the moral and religious sense of
Forms of Racism Today
of America developed in response to the domination of a Euro centric God that was associated with white supremacy . The Klu Klux Klan on the other hand promoted white supremacy in the name of God to protect their interests .
A resurgence of the deadly myth of eugenic racism . “ Adolf Hitler has his place well marked in history for being the fore runner and the main propagator and sponsor of this notion of an Aryan super race . Nazism has long been abolished but the resurgence of neo Nazism as a hydra that will not die , has produced many attendant forms of race superiority ideologies . The truth of the gospel is the only antidote to this poisonous venom .” [ 5 ]
The Terror of Tribalism “ Tribal oppositions at times endanger , if not peace , at least the pursuit of the common good of
people .
3 . Giving biblical facts using loving persuasion .
4 . Asking God to change hearts .
5 . Offering a place for reconciliation .
6 . Promoting initiatives of welcome and exchanges of mutual assistance as regards men and the society as a whole . They also create difficulties for the life of the Churches and the acceptance of pastors from other ethnic groups . Even when the constitutions of these countries formally affirm the equality of all citizens with regard to one another and before the law , it is not rare that some ethnic groups dominate others and refuse them the full enjoyment of their rights ” [ 6 ] In the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda Christians were caught up in the mayhem of tribal massacre . The Times of India reports : “ Lahore bombing : Dozens of children and mothers among victims of Easter Sunday suicide attack .” [ 7 ] Christians were murdered by suicide bombing during the Resurrection Sunday observances in India on 27 , March 2015 . Muslim Indians murdered Christian Indians because of religious differences . What is the righteous response to these atrocities ? Christ called us to love our enemies . We need a heart change where we see evil as the enemy not people . “ Laws can contribute to protecting the basic application of this morality , but they are not enough to change the human heart .” [ 8 ]
women belonging to other ethnic groups .
7 . Proposing and living the message : “ Every person is my
brother / sister .”
Conclusion : if you are a part of the Kingdom of God racism must be left outside the door .
[ 7 ] Jess Staufenberg , The Independent . 2016 . Lahore bombing : Dozens of children and mothers among victims of Easter Sunday suicide attack . [ ONLINE ] Available at : http :// timesofindia . indiatimes . com / world / pakistan / Lahore-bombing-Dozens-of-children-and-mothers-among-victims-of-Easter-Sunday-suicide-attack / articleshow / 51584429 . cms . [ Accessed 09 March 16 ].
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