Prejudice is defined as: "an opinion formed without taking the time or care to judge fairly." As imperfect people, we are prone to be prejudicial to some degree. We have all made judgements without really having all the facts. This is especially so in this fast paced world we live in. The Bible states: "Not the way man sees is the way God sees, because mere man sees what appears to the eyes, but as for God, he sees what the heart is." (1 Samuel 16:7) So, we need to be careful in how we view people, we are all prone to judge things by what we can see. And if what we see is different, then prejudice can take root in our minds and hearts.
No doubt, most us, in fact all of us have been misjudged by someone at one time or another. In a general sense, all of us are victims of prejudice. We all have some prejudices, but if we can quickly dispell them, such thoughts will likely cause little or no harm. It is the nurturing of such thoughts that can result in harm to us and others. We can be tricked or deceived into believing in a falsehood. Under the influence of prejudice, some people truly believe that a person can be lazy, stupid, greedy, or dishonest simply because of belonging to a certain religious, ethnic, or national group.
Such misjudgments usually leads to abusive, and even violent behavior towards others, who are different from us. Those who have lost their lives to such prejudice, numbers into the millions. The toll in lives from massacres, genocides, ethnic killings etc., is terribly high. Look at the former Yugoslavia, and at Rwanda just to name two examples. What can be done?
All over the world, governments have fought prejudice by legally trying to guarantee the inviolable right to freedom security, and equality. If you read the constitution or principal body of laws of your country, no doubt you will find a clause or amendment designed to protect the rights of all citizens of your country. These rights are for all, regardless of race, gender, or religion. Yet, as we well know, prejudice and discrimination are rampant all over the world.
Are you a victim of prejudice? Have you been branded as being greedy, lazy, stupid, or overly proud simply because of your race, age, gender, nationality, or religious beliefs? Have you been denied opportunities for higher education, employment, housing, and social services because of prejudice? If so, how can you cope? Is this world ever going to be free of the pain and hurt of prejudice?
But do the above statements ring true? Is it possible for man to eliminate discrimination and racism? Well from man's point of view the answer is a resounding NO! For instance: In the former Yugoslavia, how long will the old hatreds and the new ones formed over the past few years last? When will serbs, muslims, and croats, put aside their hatreds? Well you know that the crimes, of murder and rape that were committed by all sides will not be quickly forgotten. The young ones who saw such wicked acts, will grow up with them. In turn, they will warn their children of the evil things that those type of people do. It is an unending cycle, that was given a boost because of the recent events in that land. We can hold little hope that such things will be forgotten, let alone forgiven for decades or centuries to come. Does that mean that there is no hope?
At John 7:24 Jesus said this: "Stop judging from the outward appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." Also, Peter and Paul (apostles) reassures us that God is indeed not partial. Peter stated this at Acts 10:34, 35: "For a certainty I perceive that God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him." Paul adds at Romans 2:11 the following thought: "There is no partiality with God."
James 3:17 tells us: "But the wisdom from above is first of all chaste, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy, and good fruits, not making partial distinctions, not hypocritical."
Today Christians should strive to follow the counsel of Paul as stated at Titus 3:2, 3. In part he said that the followers of Jesus Christ no longer are acting senselessly, are not slaves to various desires and pleasures, no longer hating one another. Yes, True Christians avoid judging people on the basis of superficial impressions. They should enjoy a world wide, international brotherhood. A brotherhood that crosses all the nationalistic, ethnic, and racial boundaries of this present world.
All of us like to be treated with dignity and respect. That is why being a victim of prejudice is a difficult trial to endure. The Christian congregation should offer a haven from the wickedness of the world. It should offer true love and peace to all. If your present church is not providing this for you, you need to find out why. Why? Because the true followers of Jesus will reflect his loving kindness and understanding. Churches or religions that fail in this, do not have God's backing, and thus you don't want to stay in their midst.
The near future offers all of us this promising scenario: "A great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues" will survive the coming destruction of this wicked generation, and pass on into world free of prejudice and all sorts evil. (Psalms 37:9-11, 29 and Revelation 7:9, 10) So, take heart, for soon all sorts of wickedness, including prejudice will pass from the scene of world affairs. However, we need to make sure we are around to enjoy this future. Since people who exhibit such shortcomings will be destroyed, we need to make sure we are not one of them.
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