The (Last) Race Thing: Part Four

Let’s put this baby to bed, shall we?

The Interracial Marriage Thing
This is the last kind of hot-button issue dealing with race especially in church culture. It’s been my experience that there are 3 main reasons why people may be opposed to it:

1. They harbor prejudice against races other than their own.

2. They believe God’s Word opposes it.

3. They fear prejudicial treatment from society and/or the church (unfortunate, but true in some instances) so they say it’s just better not to do it.

My Replies
1. If you plan on going to heaven, better get over it quick, ‘cause I don’t read anywhere that the Holy City is segregated.

2. Honestly, there is no plausible scripture against it. The only stipulation God gives us when it comes to marriage is that we be “not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14). But of course, throughout history, people have used the Bible to make it say what they wanted. People used the Bible to justify slavery. Sheesh. For a further elaboration on number 2, check this out.

3. This one is a lot more understandable, so I don’t completely discount it, but I do have some thoughts to offer a different perspective.

Respectful Dialogue on Number 3
In fact, the last two comments left on my first post on The Race Thing dealt with number 3. The person is someone I know personally, so I replied to her comments via email and we entered into a very respectful dialogue about the issue. I don’t want to overwhelm you with a bunch of verbiage (Too late? Rats.) so I’ll do this—here is part of my reply to my friend’s posted comments:

I just wanted to let you know that I read the comments you posted about the race thing and I appreciate your honesty and willingness to engage in such a touchy subject. (and for sticking up for me. ;-)

I also want to say that I understand your concerns and I believe you are sincere when you say that you don't have a slight problem with the interracial marriage thing out of prejudicial feelings. And, honestly, I know from personal experience that two people of different races are going to have an added burden in a relationship. So, I know that the things you mentioned are not unfounded.

But I do have something I want to throw at you. And I truly don't mean this as a rebuttal or anything like that, but I just want to know what you think about this.

Most A/Ps would agree that society does not dictate our lifestyle. As women we dress as a woman should and don't cut our hair according to the Bible. We don't wear jewelry or use the cosmetics of the world. Many of us do not have a TV and refuse to let garbage into our homes. Our young people don't listen to the garbage music that is out in the world today. Many of us home school our children because we don't want them to be influenced by the world. We believe in the doctrine of Jesus' name baptism. All of these things put us at odds with society and even Christianity at large. These are just a few of the things that put us against the mainstream. But in fact, many of us are proud to be against the mainstream and balk at the suggestion to conform to society at large for convenience or image's sake. The way that society may treat or regard us as a result of choosing to live our lives this way is of no import. Modern society has no say, and as many believe, nor should it.

But for some reason, when it comes down to the question of interracial marriage, all of a sudden how people will be treated by "society" is a huge deal. All of a sudden, "society" is a paramount factor, so much so that it will dissuade us from approving of the union of two people of different races, cultural backgrounds, what have you, because of what "society" will say or do. What is it about the prospect of interracial marriage that makes us (especially as A/Ps) suddenly give society so much validation and power? I will not be so bold as to give a pat, smug answer to that question, because I'm sure there are many factors.

Nevertheless, we are the Body of Christ. If what the world thinks of us doesn't matter in any other instance, why does it matter on this issue? And as members of the Body of Christ, we should be above the attitudes of the prejudices of the world that would cause conflict and heartache to people who are interracially married and their children.

What comes first—the fear of prejudicial treatment or the prejudicial treatment itself? And does our fear of prejudicial treatment actually feed into the prejudicial treatment itself? Again, these are just questions that are in my mind . . . not ones that I claim to have an answer to.

The Bible says in 1 John 4:18, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." I think that the answer here is love. I don't mean to sound overly simplistic or naive. The love that two people of whatever color have for one another, and the love that the members of the Body of Christ have toward one another should, according to the Bible, eliminate fear.

Yes, it's definitely true that people are disowned by family, suffer prejudicial treatment, etc. if they choose to enter into an interracial relationship. But if they're in God, and they're surrounded and supported and loved by people who are in God,
whom shall they fear?

We continued on in our dialogue, and it was a very respectful, fruitful one. This is the only exchange I chose to share because it articulates my feelings on this issue succinctly, and I suppose that will suffice.

Memorial Day and Beyond
The next time I’ll post I will be in the STL! I’ll drive down Sunday, UGST class starts Monday—nothing too deep yet; we’re just going to do introductions and an overview of the class. But what I’m looking forward to is this—a Shakespearean production of none other than my all-time favorite play, Julius Caesar! Details to come. Have a wonderful Memorial Day!

Spanish word/phrase of the day: el amor (ayl ah-MOHR) = love

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!