Why do people say the Bible is the basis for racism?

Question

Such as, interracial marriage being a bad idea, when if you read the Bible, it says no such thing. It does say Isreal should not marry people from the surrounding area (in the Old Testament), but that was because the people around them were idolaters, and did not believe in the One True God.
It does say God made Man in his image, but it does NOT say only this race or that race.

Here is where you can find the story of Moses, and God's chastisement of Miriam and Aaron. Numbers 12:1-16
The Bible clearly teaches that all people are created equally in the image of God, and opposes prejudice based on racial grounds (see, for example, Acts 10:1-11:18; Galatians 3:28).
I am a Southern Christian, born again through the forgiveness of my Lord and Savior and given a chance at making my life worthy of the love and faith He puts in me. When I hear other people saying they hate blacks or jews because the Bible says they should, it breaks my heart.

Tish- God did make everyone speak different languages, but it was because they were trying to build a "ladder" that would reach to heaven. It was called the Tower of Babel, and because He caused them to speak different languages, they could no longer work together, because they did not understand each other.

Please read the Bible for yourself, and not take my word or anyone else's, for what it says.

Answer 1

Have you seen the recent movies, "Remember the Titans" and "Glory Road?"

Racial prejudice had a powerful grip on society during those times, and it wasn't that long ago.

But you have to question why, since it was 100 years AFTER the Civil War!

We look back on those days from our perch here in 2006, and we wonder, "What was wrong with those people?" and "How in the world could they still be thinking and doing such things?"

But put yourself in their day, and in their shoes. Those bold folks who went against their culture were breaking new ground on the way to opening up OUR (those of us in this day looking back) MINDS.

We would NOT be as wise as we are today if they hadn't blazed that trail for us.

Even some of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, which speaks of all men being CREATED EQUAL, had slaves. How could they have rationalized that?

The ideals were there, but the perfect applications of those ideals were still centuries away.

The points you make about racism are well-taken. And you are correct in your application.

Jesus taught that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. But it has taken us a while to properly define who our neighbor is. And it is taking us longer to accept it with more appropriate applications.

Yet, take a look around us at other nations in our world. We are actually leading the way in this, and much of the rest of the world has decades (perhaps, too, wars) to go to catch up.

By the way, people have misused the Bible from the time it was being written. Why should we expect today to be any different?
Satan doesn't take vacations, as far as I know.

Answer 2

The bible says a lot of old fashioned, idealistic things. You have to remember, we don't even know if the bible we read is really accurate. It's had two MAJOR overhauls throughout history, most recently by Monks of the Church of England turning much of the bible into a Shakesperean poem, and omitting ancient scrolls such as the Book of Q which didn't support the thought of organized religion in the words of Jesus. It's absolutely impossible to take scriptures written in Hebrew and tranlate them into Shakeperean English in perfect iambic pentameter without changing the meaning.

Also, racism was rampant 2000, 1000, and even 200 years ago, even in the Bible, but men grow and learn. Lucky for us.

Answer 3

to the person who said evolution promotes racism...BULLSH*(. Evolution doesn't even mention race. It explains the differences in people, such as darker skin on those who live in areas that recieve more direct sunlight (equatorial regions.) It also does a better job than the bible does (the tower of babel and the land of Nod)

Religion in less enlightened times had a hand in racism. Missionaries would try to convert the natives (savages and heathens). Since most of them were of a different race, and a good deal refused to convert, and its wrong (not neccesarily a sin mind you) to marry outside of your religion, people folow the logic that interracial is a sin...silly isn't it.

And just for reference, I said religion...not the bible.

Answer 4

There were cases where God told the Israelites not to marry "pagans". 2 reasons. 1, God was using the Jews in order to create a lineage to Jesus and secondly comes the aspect of being unequally yoked. These people have very different beliefs that were usually pretty bad and the Jews (easily tempted) would and did convert over to certain pagan rituals that were very immoral, as you stated.

the bible however is not racist in its message as it preaches salvation to both Jews and Gentiles (everyone else of non-jewish heritage) God shows no favoritism towards sexes, colors, creeds or anything but calls ALL to be in his fellowship. So whoever is saying this is just ignorant and I'm they just heard it from a friend and thought "Yeah, that's wack."

If anyone says that, just Quote John3:16 "God so love the WORLD..." no if ands and buts

Answer 5

the bible is not racist, it says people who are unequaly yolked should not marry. That means a believer and a non believer, it has nothing to do with race. the only reason why it says that is because a divided house is a fallen house. God's image....do you know what that is? and how we are made in his "image"?

Well, father (thinking/rationalization) =brain
and, son (physical/body)= we have a body too
finally not least holy spirit (spirit/soul) we have one of those too.

So, i really hope this cleared up some stuff, this is how we are all made in his image, seeing how we have a brain, body and soul. im short, white with brown hair, my best friend is tall, dark brown with black hair, but we both have belly buttons and were made in his image.

Answer 6

The kkk justify their hate for Afro-Americans like myself to spread violence. Unfortunately,there are some Christians with labels who feel that interracial dating and equality is a sin. They want the white race to stay pure so to speak. I have seen a lot racism in my day and never thought it would increase more instead of decreased. God will separate us but it won't be about the color of skin. he will separate the sheep from the goat. I believe equality will come then but not in this lifetime for difference races.

Shalom

Answer 7

Because their minister is a racist! Seen it before! A racist or a control freak. Or worse a racist control freak. Next time you talk w/ these "Christians" ask them to read the Sermon on the Mount. One of Christ's most amazing sermons. It is the heart and soul of Christianity as it should be practiced. Nope nothing there about
hating different races. Its all about love and forgiveness, peace and happiness! Don't sweat it! They are really just jealous of you because you have a open mind.

Answer 8

I wish I knew more about the exact place in the bible this story happens... but I was taught as a child that god made different tribes speak different languages so they wouldn't mix the races. I am not a religious or racist person... in spite of what I was taught as a child.

Answer 9

People, like to interpret the Bible in the way which will suit them. So to some the Bible being racism is their preference since they are trying to proof that they are right, for something that they are wrong. Religion is complex in it own.

Answer 10

those people are wrong, the Bible teaches that we are all together one race and interracial marriage is okay

evolution promotes racism if anything...people say some people are more superior than others, etc.