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How do you handle bigotry and racism?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Berean, Aug 20, 2010.

  1. Berean

    Berean Member
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    I have a friend and a fellow church member who is bigot and a rabid racist. I enjoy his company and fellowship with him except when he starts his racial rants. He knows how I feel about the issue because I have often tried to explain it as sin. He is well educated and has a degree from a christian university. Do you have any suggestions? What scriptures would you use in combating something like this?
     
  2. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
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    9He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

    10He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

    11But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
    14We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

    15Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

    16Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

    17But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
    those passages are from1john
    James
    13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

    14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

    15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

    16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
    11Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
     
  3. Ruiz

    Ruiz New Member

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    I have dealt with racism a time or two. Frankly, as a Hispanic I maybe a little abrupt. Once I answered someone who went off on inter-racial marriage (I am a result of an inter-racial marriage) about Moses and his wife. Then I usually introduce myself by saying, "Hello, I am a 1/2 breed."

    A funny thing that I sometimes say, "Yes, I am Hispanic. My wife calls me a wet-back when I get out of the shower. Yet, I am only 1/2 Hispanic so I am really just a halfback. My kids are 1/4 Hispanic which makes them Quarterbacks. I have an entire backfield in my family."

    Humor defuses things.

    Yet, I would go further in talking to people about the importance of treating people as made in God's image.
     
  4. blackbird

    blackbird Active Member

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    Bigotry and racism is a social disease that can be overcome only if one so chooses----------it just so happens that I am one who "so chose!"
     
  5. Jeffriesw

    Jeffriesw New Member

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    Hilarious :tongue3:
     
  6. Bob Alkire

    Bob Alkire New Member

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    I went to a meeting in Orlando a few years ago that had some who held to Pinnock's view of inclusivism. The speakers contended that saving faith is neither Jewish nor Christian. They said as Pinnock has' written, when Jews and Muslim praise God as Creator of the world, they are giving their praise to the same God as Christians. The same rule applies to all who recognize a high God.

    The liberal friend who took me to this deal has said and does often, that a belief of eternal life and being saved, as Christ is the only way is falling into bigotry in the worse way. I disagree.

    One of my grand kids was told in college that Christian faith is big time bigotry.

    Just showing bigotry is used in more ways that race. I have no use for racial bigotry or gender bigotry. I was raised before integration and in my home was no place for it, we treated all folks with respect. Bigotry,and my fathers distrust for our government after WWII was the main reasons that I never went to public school but to take a course or two and play ball.
     
  7. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Ive got to go with direct confrontation so the guy knows better & then separation if he continues. Inevitably it is his choice.
     
  8. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Definitions



    BIGOTRY
    A bigot is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices.
    For info on the background of the word bigot see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigotry

    DISCRIMINATION http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/discrimination
    treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit: racial and religious intolerance and discrimination.

    PREJUDICE
    A person is prejucice when he has a preconceived judjment or opinion formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge is obtained.

    RACIST
    A racist believes that one race is superior to another

    Are dedicated Born again Christians bigots? Someone like Fred Phelps may be, but I would say most of us are not. We are devoted to our belief, esp that Christ is the only way, but we are not intolerant of other religions.

    Bob A; you say you have no place for gender bigotry- well if you have a daughter I am sure you would be obstinately or intolerant of a man walking into a public restroom that your daughter was using.

    If I choose not to date a black women ( I am white) does that make me prejudice?

    If a pastor refused to marry an interracial couple, does that make him a bigot?

    If I say that a women is the better parent to raise a small child, does that make me a sexist? According to the definition it does - therefore since it is true, it doesn't bother me.

    If a police Sgt had to assign a two man patrol in the black section of town, would he be wrong in making sure at least one of the officers is black?

    Call me what you want, just don't call me late for supper.



     
  9. Bob Alkire

    Bob Alkire New Member

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    I don't think I understand your point. I don't believe that would be in my mind bigotry as much as the man making a mistake or his lack of respect. Would I be upset, that would depend on his actions, mistake or not. Do I believe rules and laws should be followed? Yes!!!! If one does not care for the rules, try and get them changed and the laws do the same thing. But until they are changed we are to go by them, don't do what our federal government has done with immigration laws. I've walked into women restroom over the years a few time by mistake.
     
  10. UkuleleMike

    UkuleleMike New Member

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    He is obviously not well educated in the things of God, which states, "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;" If all men upon the earth are of one blood-being first of Adam, then of Noah, then how can we consider one race above another? Yes, the descendants of Canaan were cursed, but that doesn't mean we treat them wickedly, or as some inferior race. Christ died for all men, of every color. If one who claims to be a child of God is racist and a bigot, then they are in obvious error and sin, as they have limited themselves in who they believe are worthy of the gospel. Some people even today believe that blacks, and certain other races, have no souls.

    So to you I would recommend: Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
     
  11. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    I remember the day when we were taught a form of bigotry in seminary, and it involves the entire Southern Baptist Convention. We were taught that all races came from the three sons of Noah, and this included the Black race through Ham, which were intended to be the slave race.

    South Africa faced this same problem until the Dutch Church changed its Biblical teaching on the three sons.

    Billy Graham refused to conduct a service in the South because Blacks had been banned. The Whites finally gave in to Graham and allowed the Blacks to sit in the balcony.

    I was with the Civil Rights Movement in 1960 and experienced bigotry and racism first hand. I was jailed for 3 days. My crime? Walking down the street with a Black man.

    I asked a Black man in Georgia what the difference is to-day. He said, "I no longer have to hold a door open for a White woman. I do it by choice." So, we still have a long way to go. Oh, and I don't doubt for a minute that these people were truly born again, but biblically misdirected.

    My answer to the question is that simply a kind word turns away wrath. Show the bigot by your kindness and don't be wrapped up in his bigotry.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  12. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    That is the exact point I am trying to make!

    Often we do not understand the proper meaning of words. Many of us throw terms around but do not know what that mean. A definition is not necessarily what is "in our mind" but what the word actually means. So before we accuse someone of something, we need to make sure we know what we are talking about.

    I am not trying to justify the typical thinking of bigotry, ect - but it may not actually be what we think it is. And some things are, that we think are not.

    Are we prejudiced? Most would say "No I am not". Well, I am. Before I would allow a suregon to cut me open, I want to be sure that he is qualifed to do the procedure correctly. Therefore, I will "pre-juge" him
     
  13. NiteShift

    NiteShift New Member

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    He's pulling your leg Jim. Georgia in 2010 is nothing like Georgia in 1960.
     
  14. Luke2427

    Luke2427 Active Member

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    What things does he do to indicate he is a racist? Does he say other races are inferior? Does he advocate suppressing other races?

    Or does he simply acknowledge that there are differences in cultures? Or perhaps he tells jokes that are meant only to amuse; that they do not really represent his beliefs?

    I am not saying that any of that is OK but it seems that the damning label, racist, is used far to freely in this age.
     
  15. Berean

    Berean Member
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    Yes' and regularly points out areas where they are inferior to whites. such as in the field of medicine.
     
  16. Luke2427

    Luke2427 Active Member

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    I actually do think that different races are inferior to others in different arenas.

    For example, I think it is quite obvious that all of us are inferior to blacks at the 50-100 yard dash. A cursory look at the Olympics speed running events forces one to that conclusion.

    I think it is fairly obvious that the Jewish people have powerful scientific minds. Einstein, Oppenheimer, Sagan, etc...

    It seems clear to me that the Norse people are superior in physical strength.

    Now recognizing what appears to be observable patterns is not racism. One should be allowed to think for himself and come to conclusions based upon the evidence he has observed.

    Now, you may agree with that 100%. I don't know what this guy is doing that has you convinced he is a racist, but acknowledging that some races tend to be inferior in one arena compared to others is not racism.
     
  17. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Aldolf & friends would agree with you completely except Blond Teutonic people are quite superior in every way. You also should loose your thinking process about the Semitics.
     
  18. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Based on the definition I gave in my previous post, what you stated would still be racism, but it would not be BAD racism. We have been programed that all the "ism's" are bad - and that is absolutely not true.
    The govt discriminates against blind people by not allowing them to have a drivers license (though I wonder sometimes) - that is definitely discrimination - but that is good discriminations.
    So we need to differentiate between good and bad "ism's"

    Using Luke's platform, I got thinking. Here in Syracuse, there are 4 city high schools - each with a basketball team - with a total of about 50 players. Over 85% on the teams are black kids - yet blacks only make up about 45% of the city schools (we also have a large Latino population) What valid conclusions can we make from those stats?

    Luke - boy have you started something
     
  19. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Merely cultural proclivities. We start thinking that way, then I noticed most of the Alcoholics in AA are Irish (though I'm not...then why am I here) or most of the blacks live in NYC live in Harlem, must be something in the genetics, Ive noticed most Italians like tomato sauce....must be that tomato sauce gene. No my friends, in each of these cases we need to factor in genetics with sociology & economic conditions. Besides Americans are a diverse lot, a mixed bag if you will, & we should be celebrating our diversity instead of going back to the Neanderthal mentality of the Nazi scourge.

    BTW Salty, I noticed you seem to like to live in cold & snowy places.....hmmmm. (Just playing brother)
     
  20. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Actually, I prefer the snow - one season a year - to earthquakes, tornados, large forest fires, ect.
    We have four great seasons up here. When I lived down South - I enjoyed coming home as I was able to shovel a couple feet of snow!
     
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