Religion and racism?

Question

While watching a few videos on Youtube, I stumbled onto some videos from the westboro church. A very racist and unbelievably bad group of people. As I have a few family members that are also religious, they seem to share some of these viewpoints (although not as severe as these people). Am curious as to how pervasive these feelings are within the church. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

A church that does not follow the Bible is a dead church. That church is dead. According to the Bible, we all came from one man, and one woman, therefore there is no room for any kind of racism.

Answer 2

From what I understand about that church, they are only twisting God's word to carry out their own sinful agenda. I do not consider them Christians. The bible is clear that in Christ there is no longer Jew nor Creek, Male or female, Free or bond, but all are the same in Christ. (Paraphrase only). A true heart of a Christian who understands how God spared them from hell will be sober minded and very humble towards others. We all have sinned. There are some Christians that are mislead and immature who may bring racist thinking into the church but if they are sincerely submitted to the Lord Jesus, this behavior will change. I am sorry for any bad messages given by Christians to you. I can only say they do not show the true heart of God who loves all and is ready to forgive all who call on his name.

Answer 3

The church as a whole tends to reflect the culture that it is in. In America, it seems that only a small number of people are strongly racist, so I assume that only a small number of churches are racist. Almost all of the churches that I have been to consider racism to be a sin.

Answer 4

I think those churches are in the minority. There is no room for racism in my religion, and I would imagine in the true versions of most religions. Some people distort religion to include these kinds of views, and try to conform it to their own twisted views, but that isn't the norm, nor is it logical.

We are all creatures of God, and as such have the same dignity as everyone else, no matter what the case.

Answer 5

It's embarrassing that they call themselves christians. It's idiot hatemongers like this who give christians a bad name. You asked how pervasion this was in "the church", so I'm guessing you're talking baptist. I'm not baptist, but know quite a few, and they're nothing like these whacko's. Actually, I've been incredibly lucky, I've only met one whacko who even comes close to these people, and he's mentally impaired. No, its not an insult, its medical impairment resulting from a car accident.

Answer 6

The church, like the world, is people. These feelings, then, would be as pervasive in the churches as they would in the world, school, workplace, whatever. If stupidity doesn't kill humanity, racism will. Ok, so that's redundant. Sue me.

Answer 7

Unfortunately, humans love to twist God's Word to mean what they want. This is called eisegesis. Those who truly love God use exegesis to read out of the Bible what God really means. (http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v24/i3/eisegesis.asp)

I'm not certain how prevelant it is. I would guess it's much worse in the South & certain other places for some reason.

If you want a good place to send your family members for a good dose of exegesis & just some scientific facts about the subject: www.onehumanrace.com is good.

Answer 8

My grandparents swear that the Bible states that races should not intermarry. I have read the passages that they used. It was directed to the Hebrews in the Old Testament when they were God's children. I take it to mean that believers should not marry unbelievers.

Answer 9

Just look at the way ultra religious people treat others of another opinion. If they can't stomach a difference of opinion then why would they stomach a different culture?