Feature

                         CHRISTIANITY AND DISCRIMINATION

Christianity teaches that everyone is equal in the eyes of God. Therefore there is no reason to treat people differently.

On the contrary what do we see? Discrimination comes in different forms.

This includes direct, indirect and justifying discrimination. There are many times in the life of Christian that we discriminate against others either directly, indirectly or we believe there is a reason to discriminate.

 But the question is whether the Christian should discriminate.

Christians stand on a number of bible verses to support their reason to discriminate. Some of these include;

•           1 John 2:15-17 - Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

•           Proverbs 13:20 - He that walketh with wise [men] shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

•           1 Corinthians 5:11 - But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no not to eat.

•           Psalms 1:1-4 - 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.

•           2 Corinthians 6:14 - Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?

Rather unfortunate, these are not basis for the Christian to discriminate. This is rather to remind the Christian to stand firm in the Christian faith and not swayed by the world.

The bible teaches that everyone is equal in the eyes of God. Therefore, there is no reason to discriminate. 

John 3:16 tells us that, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 He gave the opportunity for all who believed in Jesus to be saved.

From the above verses, it would be seen that God is impartial and does not discriminate. Christian should therefore not discriminate. 

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Romans 1:16

It brings salvation to everyone who believes. The grace of God is unending and it falls on every head  but to who believes he who accepts the sovereignty of our maker .

In john 13:34, Jesus commanded us to love one another as He loves us. Love is a commandment from Jesus; Christians should therefore walk in the consciousness that it is obligatory of them to love everyone whether or not they are Christians.

It is in this love that the duty of the Christian spreading the word of God to the world, especially to unbelievers.

While it is wrong to discriminate lets mind that we ought to give honour to who honour is due.

The first of the discussion. I will like to hear from you too.

Afeti Kingsley

kynsleykros@yahoo.com