Christians...does the bible condemn interacial marriage?

Question

I don't read the bible much and it's kind of hard to comprehend...but I am curious as to how you guys interpret this issue through the bible?

Answer 1

No, it does not condemn it. There is a place in the Old Testament where the Israelites are told not to marry a certain race of people, but it is because of their idolatry that they are not to marry them, not their race.

Answer 2

The bible is mute on this point. Mosaic Law prohibits Jews from marrying non-Jews, but this is strictly a religious differentiation: in other words, conversion to Judasim is all that this requires. Likewise for Christianity - the same regulation with the same meaning and the same solution.

JeffE mentioned OT prohibition against marrying a certain race, but this was actually the inhabitants of the promised land, and the prohibition (Deu 7) was to avoid the adoption of local religion. In other words, it was religion (which was tied to location), not race, that was the the operating factor here. There was to be no chance that *any* Hebrews would be persuaded to worship the local gods.

Remember also, in the bible the woman became part of the family of her husband. Thus, Ruth (a Moabite) could be David's grandmother, though descendants of a Moabite were not permitted to enter the temple until the 10th generation. This is because Ruth was legally no longer a Moabite after marrying a Jewish man - for all legal purposes, David was the descendant of Boaz, not Ruth.

Jim, www life-after-harry-potter com

Answer 3

In the Bible God was only concerned with one or the other bringing idol worship to the union Most times the women would follow the lead of the man's religion but sometimes the women, like the ones Solomon married, stood firm with their deities and that, God has a problem with.

Answer 4

In the USA, before the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964 few if any white churches allowed blacks to enter the building much less attend their services. In many states interracial marriages were outlawed. How this was justified biblically in churches, I don't know. Interestingly, in 1979 I visited a friend in the hospital in a small Texas town and she, as well as all blacks there, were relegated to a segregated ward in the basement.

The point is that equality under the law and in churches is a relatively new concept.

What's with the thumbs down? No opinion here, just historical evidence. ???? Don't like this history? Me either!

Answer 5

No, I don't think so. The condemnation comes from the races them selves, and peoples ideas. Most people view sameness as a good thing, and a natural thing. People always resist change.

Answer 6

Well in the bible it says that Marriage is between a man and a woman. It says nothing about the race of whom you marry. Don't fret dear.

Answer 7

I doubt it very much. The middle east at the time of the Bible was very diverse. I don't think that people of that time were as judgmental about race. Maybe nationality. But, I could be wrong.

Answer 8

If I recall, the Old Testament prohibited Jews from linking up with non-Jews, but if I recall again there were passages in which it was permitted. But in the New Testament color or heritage does not really matter. Its not an issue.

Answer 9

The Bible both condems pretty much everything and celebrates pretty much everything.

If you're a racist, then you'll use the Bible to condemn interracial marriage.

If you're not, you'll use the Bible as proof that God loves it when we fall in love.

Answer 10

no,it does say we are not to be unequally yolked,meaning believers should marry believers,you might try reading the amplified version of the bible it is easier to understand