Can you be a Christian and be racist?

[Phil W]

Can you be a Christian and be racist at the same time?

No.

 

[durangodawood]

Human history is chock full of racist Christians. I dont see how this can even be a question.

 

[Phil W]

Human history is chock full of racist Christians. I dont see how this can even be a question.

Human history is chock full of racist false Christians.
Those who are real Christians love God above all else, and their neighbors as themselves.

 

[durangodawood]

Human history is chock full of racist false Christians.
Those who are real Christians love God above all else, and their neighbors as themselves.

They considered themselves Christians. Their churches and clergy typically validated that, as did their neighbors and families. I dont think we can reach back and make them non-Christians.

Racism was simply a thing most Christians (and non-Christians - I think) did back then.... and still do to some extent.

 

[Sketcher]

Can you be a Christian and be racist at the same time? That is against marriages for a White and Black couple, plus supportive of a White only homeland where only Whites can live? I am aware there was a time that it was illegal for a Black and White couple were forbidden to marry and there were religious people of the day that stated that intermarriage is against Gods plan. Plus they are supportive of Jim Crow laws where Blacks were forbidden to live in White communities, be treated in the same hospital as White People, forbid Blacks to enter a White Church, Forbid Blacks to enter White only schools and shops, et.c I am aware there were religious people that supported it and even some even backed that up and claimed that God allowed that according to scripture.

Does it happen? Yes. Do such Christians need to repent of these beliefs and attitudes? Absolutely. Have Christians done so? Yes, but not enough.

 

[Pope66]

Yes there was more overt racism in the past especially among many people that called themselves Christians, but these days it is not so much in your face. I been to churches where there was indirect racism there even by the church leader there.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with churches that are homogeneous and people are generally drawn to people that look like them, but attempting or excluding people becoming members of a church or not wanting them to visit there again who don't have the same skin colour or culture as the rest of the church congregation, who want to be part of the church, that is racism.

Of course, there would be people who marched in the Unite the Right rally in Virginia who considered themselves Christian and would have a church to go to on a Sunday. It is quite messy, and I don't see racism as well as other sins ever going away, but Chrisitans need to repent of it.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Can you be a Christian and be racist at the same time? That is against marriages for a White and Black couple, plus supportive of a White only homeland where only Whites can live? I am aware there was a time that it was illegal for a Black and White couple were forbidden to marry and there were religious people of the day that stated that intermarriage is against Gods plan. Plus they are supportive of Jim Crow laws where Blacks were forbidden to live in White communities, be treated in the same hospital as White People, forbid Blacks to enter a White Church, Forbid Blacks to enter White only schools and shops, et.c I am aware there were religious people that supported it and even some even backed that up and claimed that God allowed that according to scripture.

This is a good question as we have lived with racism since the beginning of time. Unfortunately much of racism stems from certain Christian circles which is so contrary to The Gospel. How they get away with it and still consider themselves loving Christians is perplexing. I imagine it stems from family tradition rather than Christian values.
Blessings

 

[Aldebaran]

Can you be a Christian and be racist at the same time? That is against marriages for a White and Black couple, plus supportive of a White only homeland where only Whites can live? I am aware there was a time that it was illegal for a Black and White couple were forbidden to marry and there were religious people of the day that stated that intermarriage is against Gods plan. Plus they are supportive of Jim Crow laws where Blacks were forbidden to live in White communities, be treated in the same hospital as White People, forbid Blacks to enter a White Church, Forbid Blacks to enter White only schools and shops, et.c I am aware there were religious people that supported it and even some even backed that up and claimed that God allowed that according to scripture.

Much of it was simply due to the laws in place at the time that determined what was acceptable and what wasn't. As you pointed out, it was once illegal for a black and white couple to marry. Now it isn't. It wasn't considered to be a racist thing at the time, but now it is. Just as gay marriage was once illegal and that was considered normal. Now the idea of forbidding it is considered sexist.
The most important thing for a Christian to consider is what God says about it in His Word.

 

[Pope66]

Much of it was simply due to the laws in place at the time that determined what was acceptable and what wasn't. As you pointed out, it was once illegal for a black and white couple to marry. Now it isn't. It wasn't considered to be a racist thing at the time, but now it is. Just as gay marriage was once illegal and that was considered normal. Now the idea of forbidding it is considered sexist.
The most important thing for a Christian to consider is what God says about it in His Word.

What does God in his word say about intermarriages such as a between Blacks and Whites?

 

[SwordmanJr]

I'm a follower of Christ Jesus, and am called a racist by every leftist/progressive who hates and considers a racist everyone who disagrees with them about active homosexuality, active pedophilia, the murder of the unborn and the born, absolute morality over subjective morality, et al. The race card has become so overplayed, it's lost its original meaning.

Jr

 

[durangodawood]

I'm a follower of Christ Jesus, and am called a racist by every leftist/progressive who hates and considers a racist everyone who disagrees with them about active homosexuality, active pedophilia, the murder of the unborn and the born, absolute morality over subjective morality, et al. The race card has become so overplayed, it's lost its original meaning.

Jr

Thats weird. Why would anyone call you a racist based on those totally non-race issues? Is there something else youre not telling us?

 

[Phil W]

They considered themselves Christians. Their churches and clergy typically validated that, as did their neighbors and families. I dont think we can reach back and make them non-Christians.

Racism was simply a thing most Christians (and non-Christians - I think) did back then.... and still do to some extent.

"Christian" is just a label for some.
Christ has no effect on their lives.
Were they truly lovers of God and neighbor they wouldn't be racists.

 

[durangodawood]

"Christian" is just a label for some.
Christ has no effect on their lives.
Were they truly lovers of God and neighbor they wouldn't be racists.

I agree.

Except that "Christian" is the word for people who hold to a particular religion. This religion does not always demand conformity to the teachings or examples set by Jesus.

 

[Phil W]

I agree.

Except that "Christian" is the word for people who hold to a particular religion. This religion does not always demand conformity to the teachings or examples set by Jesus.

It does if it is the real church.
It is written..."Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." (James 1:27)

 

[Halbhh]

Can you be a Christian and be racist at the same time? That is against marriages for a White and Black couple, plus supportive of a White only homeland where only Whites can live? I am aware there was a time that it was illegal for a Black and White couple were forbidden to marry and there were religious people of the day that stated that intermarriage is against Gods plan. Plus they are supportive of Jim Crow laws where Blacks were forbidden to live in White communities, be treated in the same hospital as White People, forbid Blacks to enter a White Church, Forbid Blacks to enter White only schools and shops, et.c I am aware there were religious people that supported it and even some even backed that up and claimed that God allowed that according to scripture.

Can you be a Christian and be racist?

No, not for long. Or not in spirit and in truth.

Unrepented serious sin continued removes a person further and further from God, and makes them "dead".

It's possible early on before much experience to be naively unaware of one's wrongs for a time though. But inevitably there will come sometime a moment of spirit-given guilt at the wrong, and that's a key moment where the person can respond by beginning to turn and repent, or instead ignore the feeling of guilt and thus begin to harden their own heart and continue walking away from God.

 

[crazycatlady]

No. Racism is unBiblical and a rather serious sin. Ever been to Dachau? I visited it twice as a child. Will never ever forget it. It starts with, "oh, they're just different." or "we just don't mix" and the like. And it ends there, in that horrible hushed place that makes your skin crawl and your heart hurt..
But what does the Bible say?
Moses married an Ethiopian wife and had to defend someone picking on her. (Pentateuch) (first wife Zipporah may have been darker skinned as well, someone please check me on this)
Solomon had (way too) many wives and wrote love poetry to one of darker skin (Song of Solomon or Song of Songs).
Philip encountered an Ethiopian eunich and witnessed and baptised him. (Acts)
At the Throne of the Living Ancient of Days a crowd of every tribe tongue and nation will gather and will be assured of Heaven. (Revelation).
That's all I can think of at present. Anyone is welcome to fact check me (i insist you do... want to get this one right). I havent time to research properly as kiddo needs escort to bus stop shortly.
Point is, we are all humans. Mankind. We have taken on physical characteristics based on where our ancestors migrated and spread to, along with our bodies' natural reaction and adaptation. We have all intermarried. We are all of us made in the image and likeness of God. And we all have inherent human dignity. And to value one above the other, as most of the posts on this thread have mentioned, is still a sin. I do hope this helps you to sort this out. Please repent.
(had to edit as I didnt realize i had said yes you could be christian and still be racist. my sincerest apologies. I meant that this is unequivically sin and must be repented of before it is too late. please forgive the confusion).

 

[Dave-W]

Hopefully it will stay on track. It's usually offended minorities who play the race card. It's the go-to argument for resentful Muslims and their non-Muslim sympathisers.

Islam is not a race. There are muslims that are blonde and blue eyed, and there are muslims that are very dark black.

 

[Dave-W]

Racism is ingrained in the sinful nature.

Is it really?

Or is it just one of any number of expressions of what is endemic to the sin nature: selfishness?

 

[Dave-W]

(had to edit as I didnt realize i had said yes you could be christian and still be racist.

OK - on that statement I would have to ask how you define "christian?" Perfect and completely sin free?

 

[durangodawood]

It does if it is the real church.
It is written..."Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

Now youre talking about what you think the Christian religion should be, rather than what it was - or is.

The Christian religion was what it was, tolerating a ton of racism.