Do you often assume that if someone 'has faith' they won't be racist?

Question

Ive just dipped into the society & culture section to have a look & got the shock of my life. There seems to be a lot of racism going on there. Then I started to wonder if some of these racist people were also religious/spiritual/had some beliefs of some sort.
I may be living in cloud cuckoo land, but I have a lot of respect for people who are religious or follow a particular belief system. In my experience, they tend to be 'good people.' Do you think I can assume they wont be racist, or does it just not follow?

Answer 1

Unfortunately my sister, racism is in all forms and reaches of society. There are no areas which are untouched. In fact in this forum I have seen it more than I wish, from those who claim to be religious. The condemnation which is spread from their lips, it gives every spiritual person a bad image.But continually I remind myself that, we can make a change...those of us which are spiritual in nature and accepting of all. One person at a time, we can be the champion of all...In our actions in life.
I would never assume that they were not going to be racist, because assumptions, well they speak for themselves.I would say to believe in the good of people and when they prove to be ignorant in this way...pray for them. Most times it is only from prayer that those who are racist/ignorant may be healed of this affliction.
Blessings

Answer 2

I've experienced far too many people of faith who were also racists. Most of the KKK members were and are devout Christians, ready to cite Biblical passages to support their view of the races. Just think of the Conquistadors when thinking about faith and racism and you'll realize that religious faith and racism are in no way mutually exclusive.

Sure, it would be nice to find that people who lecture others about morality and claim to have a monopoly on ethics would not be racists. But religious faith doesn't seem to reduce racism at all.

Answer 3

I wish that people of faith were more known to be non-racist. However, some people equate Christianity with being a white American. Check out the immigration section too, lots of intolerance and bigotry.

Answer 4

You can assume Christians shouldn't be racists, but unfortunately things don't always work the way they should.

EDIT: thatguyjoe below me has made a common mistake... KKK members hate jews, so consequently they hate Christ (Jesus was a Jew remember) and are not Christians. Though sadly some actual Christians are racists, pseudo-christian cult members like kkk, aryan churches, etc. shouldn't be confused with actual christians.

Answer 5

I can't speak for other religious belief systems, but I know that true Christianity is not racist.

There are some religious beliefs that consider black people cursed. I am not sure what they are without checking more information but they do exist. I studied them in college.

Answer 6

I wouldnt assume anything
there are good and bad in every group
and let us not forget that most extreme racists and biggots are religious
however ... there are a great number of good people also in these groups

Answer 7

I have unfortunately found that most of the religious people I've met are also the most likely to be very racist and prejudiced. Yes, I expected it to be different, just as you did.

Answer 8

You know what happens when you assume about anything:
you make an ***/out of u/ and me. Never assume something about others either good or bad. It can lead you into problems; the best bet is to allow others to display their true colors and then proceed from there.

Answer 9

Personally I find religious people as a whole to be less "good". And no, there is little correlation as you hope.

Jesus himself condoned slavery by not speaking against it when he had the chance.

Answer 10

No I don't. Most Atheists I know are not racist at all. There are even black and asian atheists. The KKK and Nazis are mostly all believers in Christ. Hitler himself was a Roman Catholic.