Racism?

[Orthodox Andrew]

Are there any works by the Saints that touch on Racism?

 

[Moros]

St. John Chrysostom - 8 Homilies Against the Jews and the Judaisers

 

[Reader Nilus]

Blessed Mother Marie of Ravensbruk showed by her martyrdom what she thought about racism.
Jeff the Finn

 

[RhetorTheo]

If you are just generally looking for something on racism, it is addressed in the Bible in the story of snow white Miriam, Numbers 12:1-10.

"1 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman."

Ethiopian woman Literally, "Cu***** woman." Her father was a Midianite, thus a descendant of Abraham. So what did Moses' dark-skinned wife have to do with claiming the prophetic office along with Moses? He had followed the counsel of her father and they no doubt felt that their political status challenged.

9 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. 10 And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.

The text is somewhat garbled, as the redactor was sewing together two stories, one about racism and one about challenging authority. But the story against racism is still there: Miriam criticizes Moses for having a black wife, and God turns Miriam white as snow with leprousy.

 

[nicodemus]

Colossians 3:11 seems to pretty much sum it up:

Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

It is what's inside, not what's outside that matters.

 

[simchat_torah]

St. John Chrysostom - 8 Homilies Against the Jews and the Judaisers

Yes, I agree... this is a racist bit of literature.

-Yafet

 

[Oblio]

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Yes, I agree... this is a racist bit of literature.

-Yafet

Judaising is not a race but a behaviour, being against it therefore is not racist.

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

Thanks all.

 

[cleopa_of_emmaus]

Oh yes, John Chrysostom's thoughts on the Jews. Although some will tell you he was only speaking of "Judaizers", anybody who reads it can see clearly that Chrysostom was talking about Jews.

~cleopa

 

[prodromos]

They are the most prominent judaizers

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

People make a big deal about the idea that St. John Chrysostomos may have been anti-Semitic. But were not even the Apostles who were Jews ( by blood) themselves beginning to have a bit of resentment towards the unbelieving Jews?

 

[Reader Nilus]

Anti-Semiticism is a blight that has reared its ugly head enough times in Orthodox Russia for us not to be so smug. It maybe that St John Chrysostomos was speaking about Judaisers but that did not stop the pogroms in Russia.
Any such behavior should be met with ex-communication among Orthodox.
Jeff the Finn

 

[Moros]

Judaising is not a race but a behaviour, being against it therefore is not racist.

Correct.

Oh yes, John Chrysostom's thoughts on the Jews. Although some will tell you he was only speaking of "Judaizers", anybody who reads it can see clearly that Chrysostom was talking about Jews.

He was speaking out against both.

Any such behavior should be met with ex-communication among Orthodox.

Pogroms, or just plain ol' antisemitism? Should Chrysostom be excommunicated?