why wasn't racism included in the 10 commandments?

Question

is it that infringing any of the original 10 commandments is more serious than practising racism?

as to the 1st answer: God already forbid you from pilfering anything; including others' internet ids.

Answer 1

I think racism is included in the 10 commandments but in a different form. It says in the fifth Commandment "You shall not kill". We don't only kill the body. We can kill with our words. When we say hateful words about someone or destroy their reputations or hate them, we sort of kill them. So the fifth commandment prohibits hate and hateful words and actions. It also prohibits gossiping and destroying people's good name. The 8th commandment is "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." This includes the prohibition against saying wrong accusations, lies or judgments about others and destroying their reputations. We cannot also say things even if they are true. If they go against charity they are forbidden by the 8th commandment. We cannot say things about people even if it is true because it will destroy their good name.

Answer 2

The 10 cmmandments were given to a single race, the Jewish people, and never practiced by any other race. Since they were the property of only one race, a law against racism would have served little purpose.

With the coming of the Christian faith, which crossed the race barrier and took God to all races, there are several statements against racism included in the "commandments" of the Christian faith. Amoung those the statement that "there is neither Jew, Gentile, or Greek" in Christ, covering the three major "race" and clutural divisions of that era. Also the command to take the Christian faith "to the ends of the earth" implies an inclusion of all races. The Book of Revelation features people "of every tongue and race" gathered as a single group worshipping together before the throne of God.

Answer 3

At the time of Moses every race had its own religion. In that time racism would not have been anything unusual. When two groups of people came to into contact they would usually try to conquer and/or exterminate each other. In the 21st century we no longer live that way and we can extend the concept of neighbor to mean any human being and not just those of our own race. Though not specifically mentioned by itself , racism is clearly contrary to the spirit of the law which is to bring about harmonious coexistence. It is important to understand that the world has changed greatly in the last few thousand years. To properly understand any text, including the 10 commandments, historical context is at least as important as literary context.

Answer 4

God tells you in the Bible to not judge, he's already said it, why would it need to be one of the 10 commandments? God also said to love thy neighbor as thy brother. I do not believe that racism is as serious a crime as say murder, but then again, I am continuously persecuted for my sexual orientation, so I know where you're coming from. Regardless, these commandments were written over 2,000 years ago and while a basis for morality, when God gave them to the people, there was "seemingly" only one race at the time and the differences were religious and of birth right stature, not color. Just as time changes, we change. God had to know if was coming, but I believe he gives man kind differences to embrace, we're the ones who persecute them.

Answer 5

The wording of the 10 commandments is due to the era in which they were written. Many things that people do because of racism are still covered in the basic 10 though, and id theft is covered under thou shalt not steal.

Answer 6

The first three have to do with loving God; the next seven have to do with loving and respecting your neighbor, mankind. If these 7 commandments are followed, there is no reason to have an additional one as concerns "racism". If you love your neighbor as yourself, the difference between your race and theirs is a non-issue. If you don't love your neighbor as yourself, if you don't follow the commandments that pertain to respecting the lives and property of mankind, adding "regardless of race, gender, or national origin" wouldn't impact your behavior or attitudes. Mankind means all mankind.

Answer 7

Jesus summed up the commandments in Matthew 22:37 where he said,

" 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

This definitely condemns racism.

Answer 8

The commandment 'love your neighbor' could be interpreted as a including a rule against racism.

Answer 9

It was included, and is included in every religion.

Baha'i
Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself.

Buddhism
Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful

Christianity
Therefore, whatever you want to done to you, do also to them, for this is the law and the Prophets. Matt 7:12

Confucianism
Do not unto others what you would not have them do unto you.

Hinduism
This is the sum of duty: Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done unto you. Mahabharata 5:1517

Islam
No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself. Sunnab

Judaism
What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. That is the entire law: all the rest is commentary. Talmud, Shabbat 31a

Native American
Respect for all life is the foundation. The Great Law of Peace

Answer 10

 Matthew 22:34-40......After the Pharisees heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they came together in one group.  And one of them, versed in the Law, asked, testing him: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” He said to him: “‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. The second, like it, is this, ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments the whole Law hangs, and the Prophets.”

Jesus said we should love our neighbor as ourself.........He didn't specify which race......