What does the Bible say about discrimination?

Answer

Discrimination or racism is a global issue. Some try to base support of it on missapplied Bible scriptures. For example, some used a scripture that pronounces a curse against one of Noah's offspring to support the enslavement of black people several hundred years ago. At Genesis 9:25 we read: “Cursed be Canaan. Let him become the lowest slave to his brothers.” Read it carefully; it says nothing about skin color. The curse was because Ham’s son Canaan had evidently performed some shocking act deserving of a curse. But who were Canaan’s descendants? Not black peoples, but lighter-skinned peoples living to the east of the Mediterranean Sea. Because of their depraved practices, demonistic rites, idolatry, and child sacrifice, they came under divine judgment, and God gave to Israel the land occupied by the Canaanites. The darker skinned persons of Africa actually decended from another of Noah's offspring, Cush, who had no curse apon him.

The Bible shows how God feels about people of different races at Acts 10:34, 35: “God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.” To God obedience to him is what is important, not the color of one's skin, race, social standing, sex, or other factor.

John 3:16: “God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” Exercising genuine faith in him is necessary in order for any of us to attain to the kind of relationship with God that Adam lost. That privilege is open to people of all races.

Gen. 3:20: “Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she had to become the mother of everyone living.” So all humans have common parents, Adam and Eve. Therefore we all part of the same human family, making us of common stock, fleshly brothers and sisters.

1 John 3:10: “The children of God and the children of the Devil are evident by this fact: Everyone who does not carry on righteousness does not originate with God, neither does he who does not love his brother.” The Bible indicates that one who does not love his "brother," is an offspring of the devil.

• • After posting this answer, then reading the answer below, I have to say that the FAQ farmer below raises a very good point, that I previously did not consider. So, I would like to add to my previous answer here, and agree with the second FAQ farmer, by saying that there is a proper and an improper form of discrimination.

Answer

The word "discrimination" has many different implications nowadays, including racism. As a previous FAQ Farmer states, the Bible does not promote racism.

On the other hand, the Bible does promote another meaning of the term "discrimination." A company technically "discriminates" when hiring one person over another, even though this type of "discrimination" is based (at least if it's legal and legitimate) on the relative skills of the individuals. The Bible also "discriminates" between those who follow God and those who have "a form of religion" that doesn't involve a relationship with the Savior. This type of "discrimination," though, is based on the choices each one of us must make.

Answer

The ground at the foot of the cross is level. Everyone is judged on the same scale by God. The first will be last. The last will be first is what the scriptures say. The people that think they are all that will be considered lower and vice versa.

See Related Links

See the Related Link for "Intolerance in the Bible" for the answer.

See Related Links

See the Related Link for "Slavery in the Bible" for the answer.

First answer by Wvafan. Last edit by Itchie.c2. Contributor trust: 828 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 37 [recommend question]