Racism, a Crime Against Humanity!
One of the odious evils of our day is racism, the belief or practice that views or treats certain racial groups as inferior and therefore justifiably the object of
domination, discrimination, and segregation.
While the sin of racism is an age-old phenomenon based on ignorance, fear, estrangement, and false pride, some of its ugliest manifestations have taken place in our time. Racism and irrational prejudices operate in a vicious circle. Racism is among the worst of ingrained prejudices that characterize sinful human beings. Its consequences are generally more devastating because racism easily becomes permanently institutionalized and legalized and in its extreme manifestations can lead to systematic persecution and even genocide.
We deplore all forms of racism, including the political policy of apartheid with its enforced segregation and legalized discrimination. We want to be faithful to the reconciling ministry assigned to the Christian church. As a worldwide community of faith, we wishes to witness to and exhibit our own ranks the unity and love that transcend racial differences and overcome past alienation between races.
The Bible plainly teaches that every person was created in the image of God, who “made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth” (Acts 17:26). Racial discrimination is an offense against our fellow human beings, who were created in God’s image. In Christ “there is neither Jew nor Greek” (Gal. 3:28). Therefore, racism is really a heresy and in essence a form of idolatry, for it limits the fatherhood of God by denying the brotherhood of all mankind and by exalting the superiority of one’s own race.
The standard for the Theocratic Christians is acknowledged in the church’s Bible-based Fundamental Belief “Unity in the Body of Christ.” Here it is pointed out: “In Christ we are a new creation; distinctions of race, culture, learning, and nationality, and differences between high and low, rich and poor, male and female, must not be divisive among us. We are all equal in Christ, who by one Spirit has bonded us into one fellowship with Him and with one another; we are to serve and be served without partiality or reservation.
“
So, the Door and the Way for unity and lovely fellowship is Jesus Christ, the Son of God; any other approach destroys the heart of the Christian gospel.