There's only one way to defeat racism and hatred. Read on for the truth.
In my last post, The Truth about Racism, I didn't define racism. In fact, I've been using the words racism and hatred interchangeably. I have good reason to do so, no matter what the dictionary or other people say.
Bullying, racism, discrimination, prejudice, intolerance, (fill in your synonyms)...are symptoms of the same problem. Hate or distrust in the heart towards any person for any reason. All other words to define hatred are themselves divisive or political in nature.
What was your answer to the trivia question at the end of my previous post, The Truth about Racism?
The question was: When God looks at the earth, how many races does he see?
The answer is one, the human race!
Did you notice anything unusual about the globe the girl is hugging in the picture above? I chose this picture for the details that stood out to me. The entire land mass is one color and there are no lines to differentiate countries or regions.
Can you imagine a world with no countries or borders? A world in which we all see ourselves as citizens of the earth?
Unrealistic?
You bet!
Impossible?
No way!
Why do I say it's unrealistic? Because the world is being governed by people who do not see things God's way. I beg you to consider the state of the world today as evidence that human thinking isn't working.
Many people would scoff at the idea of no countries or borders. It may sound ridiculous, impossible or inconvenient. However, I'm not advocating a world without rules, laws or guidelines on proper use of resources. Instead, I'm advocating a world in which we stop seeing each other as enemies and share the planet so that everyone benefits.
Let me digress for a moment, if you've never seen the humorous French movie 'La Bell Verte' by Coline Serreau, I highly recommend it. You can read a review of the movie here. The film is portrayed through the eyes of aliens from another planet who have solved their major problems and want to visit earth to see its progress. This movie was an eye opener for me. I hope you enjoy it. 😀
The bible points to another reason for the problems on earth. It teaches that Satan the devil is ruler of the earth and not God, which is contrary to what many religions teach. Does it make sense that a world filled with greed, hatred, misery and violence would represent God's way of ruling?
You can check this out for yourselves in any bible. (John 12:31, John 16:11, 1 John 5:19, Revelation 12:12) Here is a website that has multiple versions: Bible Gateway and here is another that is easy to read.
If God were in control of the earth there would be true peace everywhere.
As long as the devil is ruling, he will always make sure we find a reason to hate one another. Is it impossible then to have a world without hatred and racism? No, it's not impossible. And by the way, Satan's rule is not forever, God will take back his earth! (Revelation 20:1-3, Matthew 6:10, Daniel 2:44)
What is the real solution to hatred and racism?
Simply put, the true solution is an accurate understanding of the bible and God's will for mankind. But also, one must choose to live by God's standards. It is not enough to read the bible. You must be humble and do what it says.
This is why so many Christians can perpetrate much hate. They have been taught either to use the bible incorrectly or have failed to put into practice what they have been taught.
What does the bible teach?
Acts 17:26 "And he made out of one man every nation of men to dwell on the entire surface of the earth." (Genesis 3:20: Eve is the mother of all living.)
All humans (and races) descend from one set of parents, Adam and Eve. That makes us all brothers and sisters, one big happy earthly family. (Some scientists say everyone on earth is related to everyone else, bible readers already believe this.)
Acts 10:34, 35 "Peter said, “Now I understand that God doesn’t play favorites. Rather, whoever respects God and does what is right is acceptable to him in any nation."
The Apostle Peter clearly states God accepts people from any nation as long as they do what is acceptable to him.
John 13:34, 35 "You must love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples."
This is powerful, if you don't show love, you aren't a follower of Jesus.
1 John 4:20 "If we say we love God and don’t love each other, we are liars. We cannot see God. So how can we love God, if we don’t love the people we can see?"
Which is easier? To say we love God whom we can't see or to show love towards people around us? Obviously, it's not easy to love others but it's a must if we say we love God otherwise we are lying to ourselves.
1 Samuel 16:7 “People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts."
While we cannot read hearts like God can, we can learn from his example and stop judging people by their appearance. Get to know people for who they are not what they look like.
1 Peter 5:5 "Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the haughty ones, but he gives undeserved kindness to the humble ones."
If we are humble we won't feel entitled or superior to any one at any time.
John 15:13 "No one has love greater than this, that someone should surrender his life in behalf of his friends."
Jesus surrendered his life for friends and people he didn't know. It might sound extreme, but if we are willing to die for others, then we won't be thinking about harming others.
Mark 12:31 "The second command is this: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself’ (Leviticus. 19:18)
Jesus didn't mean love only the people who live next door to you. He commanded us to think of every person we meet as a neighbor, thereby dignifying them.
I have listed 10 scriptures for reflection and I'm sure there are several other lines of reasoning that can be considered.
It is very clear from a biblical standpoint that hatred does not belong in the human race for any reason. It must hurt God immensely to see his creation fighting and killing each other.
Even if you don't believe in God or the bible, I hope you have found this information of benefit. You don't have to be a believer to see that showing kindness and love to everyone is the right thing to do.
However, if you want the perfect solution for racism and hatred your standard for how you love others should be based on the bible. That is the only way to uproot hate out of the heart.
Action items...
Read uplifting stories of how the bible helped these people overcome prejudice.
Read the Story of the Hutu and Tutsi Genocide