What does your faith say and do to promote race unity?

[Aupmanyav]

.. for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

No. I am not one in Jesus. I am a unbeliever, the type whom Jesus cursed to have a fate worse than Gomorrah and Sodom. Even Bahais would not agree to that because they do not believe that Jesus was son of Allah and that his teachings have been corrupted in time. Allah's current instructions are in the message of the 19th Century Iranian preacher.

 

[Kenny]

No. I am not one in Jesus

How important is it to your faith community?

Please note that the answer was in reference to "my" faith community. I'm sure you have "your" faith community.

In "my" faith community all people are equal with one blood, one faith and one baptism into the body of Christ.

 

[Aupmanyav]

And that only is what concerns you?

 

[stvdv]

Teressa wanted everyone to die a Christian - of course, she had no interest other than the after-life of the dying person, though the dying person may not have been interested in that.
If world peace could have come through the teachings of these people it would have already come. It has been going on for the last 2,000 years. Lt us not have false hopes.

You can not compare those teachings.

One is teaching "My way is the highway" ... very belittling to all others, that is "making sick". Many people know this, when parents belittle.

The other teaching, of which I was showing three examples, teach to stop belittling others.

I am amazed, that you did not see the difference.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I agree to the gist of your post. I am an atheist. I am wary of religionists talking about peace when their real intention is proselytizing.
And is it not true that after 2,000 years of these apostles of peace, the world is still at the brink of wars and no unity in sight?
China and India are meeting tomorrow to solve a pestering conflict in Ladakh.
Corona death-toll is already 400,000 with more than 100,000 in the US.

 

[Dawnofhope]

I think racism is more in the individual than in a group. But yes the individual can help the group, and the group can help the individual. But there is a lot of other stuff going on simultaneously, complicating things even further. Age, gender. languages, economic class, and more. In a lot of groups there is the old guard (people who have been members of that group for a long time, holding to habit patterns well established in their brains) versus the new guard, or younger members. That makes it challenging to institute change. It's not racist, but it often is discrimination based on 'something'.

I belong to a couple of groups. Neither does much actively as a group, but each has a ton of people that don't think along the lines of race, due to the teachings of the faith. I've only heard about some act of racism a couple of times.

Very complicated topic, and I see actions over words. Words are meaningless, unless followed up.

With regard to the incident that brought this to the forefront, yesterday I heard a suggestion, a larger one, that made sense to me, and that would be NFL players association going on strike to ban FOX from broadcasting their games. That would put your money where your mouth is.

Thanks for your post. It is a complex topic without doubt. That shouldn’t be a barrier to discussion though. Of course actions always speak louder than words, but words are important too. Words can contribute to healing or harm.

The issue of racial harmony and racism is a very real and we all have experiences that are relevant whether we are conscious of it or not. This thread is an opportunity for individuals to share their experiences including how their faith communities have consciously considered issues of race or not.

In New Zealand, our indigenous Maori population have the worst outcomes in many social statistics in regards health, education, employment and involvement with the criminal justice system. Pacific Islanders also feature negatively. In the USA and Canada it wouldn’t be hard to look at statistics for African-Americans, indigenous peoples as well as those from Central and South America.

In Western countries the role of faith communities needs to extend beyond providing basic welfare to addressing complex and entrenched social problems including disadvantaged ethnic minorities.

 

[Dawnofhope]

I agree to the gist of your post. I am an atheist. I am wary of religionists talking about peace when their real intention is proselytizing.
And is it not true that after 2,000 years of these apostles of peace, the world is still at the brink of wars and no unity in sight?
China and India are meeting tomorrow to solve a pestering conflict in Ladakh.
Corona death-toll is already 400,000 with more than 100,000 in the US.

I have a sense that you’re a glass is half empty kinda guy

 

[Aupmanyav]

Yeah, I don't like to be cheated again and again. So, let it come out at the beginning. Bahaollah is just an extension of what has been happening in Abrahamic world for the last 2,000 years.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

How important is race unity to you and why?

I see the peace and security will never be found until unity is firmly established, race unity is part of that so it is very important goal to me and I see all people.

How important is it to your faith community?

I see many in my community long for unity and peace, but they are yet to start building it on a tribal, let alone a community level.

What are some of the steps you or your faith community have taken to foster race unity?

From our position as a Baha'i, we join in with Sunday worship at our local church and if invited attend other functions.

Has your faith community been racist in the past and had to overcome prejudice?

It is the biggest hurdle that needs to be addressed in our community. I see it has not progressed since I was last here in the 90's and in a lot of ways gone backwards.

If your faith has scriptures, what do they have to say about race relations?

One planet one people Please! Ye are the flowers of One Garden!

The Baha'i writings warn the world that a failure to remove our prejudices, especially those of race, will result in much bloodshed and destruction of cities.

Any other comments?

May we all live as one human race, may we find a unity in our diversity, soon

Thanks for dropping by.

Thanks for the post, I hope solutions will be posted and lived. Regards Tony

 

[Dawnofhope]

Yeah, I don't like to be cheated again and again. So, let it come out at the beginning. Bahaollah is just an extension of what has been happening in Abrahamic world for the last 2,000 years.

Your thoughts and feelings about the Abrahamic Faiths are duly noted. Although I’ve never lived in India, the history is clear along with the interpretations of the Christian Bible and Quran that have contributed to oppression and violence against the people of India. Is the Baha'i Faith really just an extension of the worst of what Christianity and Islam have done to India? Do you think Christianity and Islam have contributed anything positive to India?

 

[Dawnofhope]

It is the biggest hurdle that needs to be addressed in our community. I see it has not progressed since I was last here in the 90's and in a lot of ways gone backwards.

Australian has a significant population of indigenous peoples, the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders that make up 3% of the population. Are there many from this group that make up the Australian Baha'i community? Do they tend to be active members of the community or among those we rarely if ever see?

 

[Samantha Rinne]

How important is race unity to you and why?

How important is it to your faith community?

What are some of the steps you or your faith community have taken to foster race unity?

Has your faith community been racist in the past and had to overcome prejudice?

If your faith has scriptures, what do they have to say about race relations?

Any other comments?

Thanks for dropping by.

Let me answer your question with at least one other question.

What does your faith say and do to promote the plight of those declared "nonessential"?
Otherwise, I'm gonna pass on this question.

The purpose of religion is to search for meaning in the universe. Not exhaust oneself trying to address social justice. Yes, sometimes Christianity or Judaism or whatever did manage to abolish slavery. Or as in the case of Buddhism, simply walk away from a stifling caste system. But we don't need bureaucrats trying to measure us to some UN plan for racial whatever. Leave that to social workers, because they seem to be doing such a great job improving human life (not).

If humans were designed to be equal, to be united, we would have a hive mind. In the mean time, life is unequal. Some people are born with silver spoons, others struggle for a job. Still others have rich parents, but are personally unsuccessful by their own merit. You can personally help them, or you can do nothing.

My religion is about personal boundaries and free will. I don't take well to being told what to wear, or how to treat random people that may or may not have legitimate reasons to protest (besides being born black). Especially when shopkeepers have lost their jobs and are not even allowed the same right to protest. Since nothing is done for them, I'm not interested in race at all.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Australian has a significant population of indigenous peoples, the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders that make up 3% of the population. Are there many from this group that make up the Australian Baha'i community? Do they tend to be active members of the community or among those we rarely if ever see?

I can only answer from what I have experienced.

There has been some very wonderful people from the Aboriginal community that have become Baha'i. Some have been very active.

The same materialistic danger has permeated the remote communities and change is not easily embraced in Australia, so not sure how things will change on a larger scale.

Regards Tony

 

[Dawnofhope]

Let me answer your question with at least one other question.

What does your faith say and do to promote the plight of those declared "nonessential"?
Otherwise, I'm gonna pass on this question.

All are loved in the sight of God. In the eyes of God there is no-one declared non-essential and it is not for anyone in my religion to exalt themselves over another.

O SON OF SPIRIT! Vaunt not thyself over the poor, for I lead him on his way and behold thee in thy evil plight and confound thee for evermore.

O SON OF BEING! How couldst thou forget thine own faults and busy thyself with the faults of others? Whoso doeth this is accursed of Me.

Bahá'í Reference Library - The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Page 10

These teachings are similar to the commandments of love thy neighbour as thyself in the Gospel along with the warning against judging others.

Matthew 7:1-4
Matthew 22:36-40

 

[Dawnofhope]

I can only answer from what I have experienced.

There has been some very wonderful people from the Aboriginal community that have become Baha'i. Some have been very active.

The same materialistic danger has permeated the remote communities and change is not easily embraced in Australia, so not sure how things will change on a larger scale.

Regards Tony

You know it brings to mind ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s warning about the mental and material tests that would be experienced in the West. I recall the Australian Universal House of Justice member, Peter Khan speaking about this in the 1990s.

Mental Tests

We listened to a recording of this or a similar talk at a Baha’i summer school in the South Island of New Zealand.

As you know I’m doing GP work in a rural region about 1 1/2 hours drive from my home.

I could easily catalogue the signs of decline that have been similar in both our countries which would provide evidence of Bahá’u’lláh’s words:

The vitality of men’s belief in God is dying out in every land; nothing short of His wholesome medicine can ever restore it. The corrosion of ungodliness is eating into the vitals of human society; what else but the Elixir of His potent Revelation can cleanse and revive it?

Bahá'í Reference Library - Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Page 200

The requirement for Baha’is is to be engaged with the current plans outlined by our governing body with particular emphasis on the institute process.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Do you think Christianity and Islam have contributed anything positive to India?

Nice question. As a religion, Christianity and Islam have not contributed anything to India. Even the sufis caused conversions, which are now a reason for conflict. We were fooled by the sufis. As persons they have contributed to India in various fields.

 

[Samantha Rinne]

All are loved in the sight of God. In the eyes of God there is no-one declared non-essential and it is not for anyone in my religion to exalt themselves over another.

O SON OF SPIRIT! Vaunt not thyself over the poor, for I lead him on his way and behold thee in thy evil plight and confound thee for evermore.

O SON OF BEING! How couldst thou forget thine own faults and busy thyself with the faults of others? Whoso doeth this is accursed of Me.

Bahá'í Reference Library - The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Page 10

These teachings are similar to the commandments of love thy neighbour as thyself in the Gospel along with the warning against judging others.

Matthew 7:1-4
Matthew 22:36-40

That's nice. Only, here in Virginia, our church remains closed as do most businesses that aren't hardware, mechanics, or grocery. Still others are "open" with the requirement that if you do not wear masks and/or gloves you will not get any service.

Wait a second, you need something on your hands or face, or they won't buy or sell... that sounds awfully familiar....
Revelation 13:16
Ah yes... anyone not having something on their forehead (forehead, base of your spine, mouth, I don't think it matters except for symbolic) or hands is not able to use stores. And of course this goes for storekeepers too.

Yeah, it's fun to play "All are brothers and sisters in Christ" but many churches have proved that they are in fact the false church in Revelation. They talk of peace and love, but nonetheless none are welcome at the gate without also wearing masks and gloves (might as well be closed if you do this). Or they don't even sigh at all the businesses that are closed, yet their heart bleeds for rioters in some cases literally want to stage a French Revolution style bloodbath.
The Religious Harlot “Church” of Revelation 17
This article mentions something interesting. It mentions the key part of knowing whether your church is decent or not is whether they have gotten caught up in the idea of a church of "unity." I think it's funny that they hate modern gospel music tho.

Let's review Jesus's on words. Matthew 10:34-36
Jesus has not come to make us one. He's come to make us separate, even within our own household. My own house has three different mentalities about current events. Separation means sovereignty, while unity often means lockstep regimes. Do we need to talk about Hitler and how he expect people who didn't match hair and eye color got killed off?

Jesus also warns against being people-pleasers.
Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 16:26 - New Living Translation
See the note. Your soul, also translates as "your self". You can try to gain the approval of everyone, but lose the approval of the one person that matters. Yourself.

The church fails if they are people pleasers, if they glorify those who do violence to others, if they seek after "unity" at the cost of things like freedom and human rights. Oh yeah, and if it cares about the things of this world.
Skin color, physical health, monetary wealth are all just things of this world. Soon this world will pass away, and one thing we don't want to be is idolaters.

And people have been declared nonessential.

 

[Vee]

If your faith has scriptures, what do they have to say about race relations?

This:

Acts 10:34,35 - “Now I truly understand that God is not partial, but in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

Romans 2:11 - For there is no partiality with God.

And my favorite, Matthew 7:12, is very clear: All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must do to them. Please note it doesn't say with the exception of this or that person with a different skin color or a different nationality.

 

[stvdv]

And my favorite, Matthew 7:12, is very clear: All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must do to them. Please note it doesn't say with the exception of this or that person with a different skin color or a different nationality.

Just testing this verse.

a) Suppose I want others to give me a lot of money. So that means I need to give a lot of money to others. Maybe that's why Bill Gates gives so much donations, he understands this Law probably. And I know from Indian Scriptures that even small gifts with Love, can return thousandfold.

b) Suppose a person is a masochist. So they want others to hurt them. That means first they must hurt others. Knowing Jesus, maybe this is an exception. Although, if you start hurting others, they will run away, unless you met your "masochist-soulmate" so to speak. So seems to work also.

This is also one of my favorite verses, thank you for sharing the 3 verses. Always good to remind each other of positive verses.

 

[sojourner]

He is color blind

I agree with everything you said until you made this statement. I respectfully wonder what you mean by it? For most justice advocates, “color blindness” is a slippery slope. Here’s why: minority people of color are unique. The differences they offer add important contributions to the human family. Those differences aren’t to be overlooked, as in blindness, as if they’re “the same as everybody else.” That sentiment is the slippery slope. It’s usually made by whites in social power. When they make that statement, it assumes that “like everybody else” means “like us whites.” Meant as an inclusive statement, it’s often a statement of blind entitlement. It assumes the “norm” is white, and they’re doing people of color a boon to include them “in the club.”

Diversity is a good thing. The differences offered by people of color are to be seen, recognized as variety, and celebrated in their own right. Color blindness washes the whole humanity into sameness that dismisses important differences — differences that matter to identity, and uniqueness, and diversity.

My denomination doesn’t believe God is color blind. We don’t believe we should be color blind. In fact, we have a whole arm of our general church devoted to racial awareness. We answer God’s call to justice, to equity, and to love of neighbor. Prejudice is not part of the game plan. White entitlement is not part of the game plan. A uniform humanity is not part of the game plan.