Burning Quest - Part 27

"Birds of a feather flock together," they say.  Human beings often do too to their own detriment.  Yes, it's often easier for a person to cope when he/she is with his/her own species of people.  On the flip side, however, it can become a barrier, excluding others from their circle of friends, family, fellowship or general community which could otherwise enhance relationships.  These restrict growth in character and conduct, snub others and cause ill feelings creating alienation of good people and creating disharmony and divisions.

Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda is concerned about this factor and expresses his views on the matter from page 246 of his book What Buddhists Believe.  He writes...

"Another obstacle confronting religious life and spiritual progress is racial arrogance.  The Buddha advised his followers not to bring forward any racial issue when they come to practice religion.  Buddhists are taught to understand that  concepts like racial origin and caste or class distinction are all made by deluded minds which cannot see the essential unity of all that exists.  People of all religions should not discriminate against any groups of people by glorifying their own ways of life.  They should treat everyone equally, especially in the religious field.  Unfortunately, followers of different religions encourage discrimination and hostility towards other religious groups."

Sri Dhammananda continues in the same vein, also from page 246...

"...Racial arrogance is a great hindrance to religious and spiritual progress...all those who have come from different communities and different castes, must forget their differences and think of themselves only as human beings."

Truly well said!  Remember that Jesus died for the "whosoever will" (John 3:16).  His offer of salvation is open to everyone and anyone.  He does not distinguish ethnic origin or religious affiliation.  His offer is to all in the human race.

God emphasized this to Peter who was of Jewish descent (Acts 10:9-23). Peter had been on the rooftop of his friend's house praying.  He had a vision that a sheet was let down from Heaven with all manner of living creatures:  'clean' and 'unclean' according to Jewish custom and Old Testament regulations.  God told him to "Rise, Peter, slay and eat."  Peter was resistant to the idea.  God told him that what He made clean, was clean.

Immediately their was a knock at the friend's door.  There was an envoy from Cornelius, a Gentile, asking for Peter to go to his house.  Peter understood the meaning of God's message straight away.  Gentiles were now 'clean' to the Jewish-background Christians.  Peter obediently went to Cornelius and many became believers in Jesus Christ, accepting God's gift of salvation and Holy Spirit.

Throughout the New Testament letters to various assemblies and individuals this idea is perpetuated.
  

"No longer Jew, nor Greek, bond nor free; rich nor poor" (Galatians 3:28). 

Followers of Jesus Christ are all one "in Christ".  

Whether or not a person is "in Christ" or not, the believers in Christ should see all people equally as "human race".

The apostle James dealt with this theme as well.  He said the rich should not be shown favor over the poor when they came together to worship the Lord (James 2:2-4).  James says that is discrimination and the people have evil thoughts if they acted in such a manner.

It's thrilling to see from the book of Revelation that  people from every tribe, nation and tongue will be present in the Heavenly realms in time to come and they will be getting along in great peace and harmony (Revelation 7:9-10).  Let us begin here and now, in present time.

Since this is true, and is God's mind, then we, the followers of Jesus Christ must follow suit.  We must recall that Jesus died for everyone; for the "whosoever".  We do not want to be the cause of someone saying, "If followers of Jesus Christ are racist and discriminatory, then, forget it!  I don't want anything to do with  them."  And so they turn away from Christ.

This is Sri Dhammananda's point.  He says some religions do that.  They put barriers up and so cause frictions and fortifications greater than the Great Wall of China.  

Sometimes the environment a person has grown up in has given them the mindset that one ethnic group is better than another.  Even expressions absorbed into our language gives evidence to such even if it is in a subconscious way. We need to be sensitive and filter out and expunge such expressions as "get your cotton-pickin' fingers out of this," out of our vocabulary.

Cotton-pickin' fingers would refer to the slave days in what is southern USA today.  They raised a lot of cotton and used African slaves to work in their fields pickin' cotton.  I believe you will ascertain the blatant innuendo and insult.

As followers of Jesus Christ we need to root out all such words, attitudes and actions from our life, thoughts and speech.  I myself need such weeding to be administered as the Holy Spirit brings to my attention.  Racial arrogance is indeed a despicable, even subtle thing.

I'm not saying we can never get together and enjoy our respective heritage of traditions and culture but be aware of others outside of our language and/or ethnic group or social status or whatever.  Let not pride of our respective ethnicity exude from our pores, etc, causing us to exclude and/or belittle others.  Don't give opportunity to shame and malign God's reputation and seriously hinder the work of the Holy Spirit in another's life.  

Jesus died for one and all.  

"Love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:31)

                                                   ~ERC  June 2018~


Note:

For further reading on this theme check out the following links:

Cluck2 Quack2

Are You Your Race?

Blended Together

Playing Favorites