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Biblical
Old Testament
There were laws against the poor treatment of foreigners.
Leviticus 19:33-34 A foreigner must be treated like an Israelite.
The Jews were constantly reminded by God that immigrants and foreigners
must not be exploited but must be allowed to share the Jewish way of life.
God reminded then that they had been foreigners once in Egypt.
New Testament
Jesus
The Jews regarded the Samaritans as inferior.
Luke 10:25-37 Jesus caused amazement by making a Samaritan the hero of
his story.
This parable also makes the point “You shall love your neighbour
as yourself.”
St Paul
Col 3:5-11 Paul stresses equality in racial matters.
Galatians 3:26-28 Paul again stresses equality. Thee is neither Jew nor
Greek.
More recent
times
Slavery.
This was once justified on biblical grounds.
It was abolished by influential religious figures in the nineteenth century.
The Society of Friends (Quakers) always refused to have slave traders
and owners as members.
Racial prejudice
Usually condemned by the major churches from the beginning of 20th century.
North America
It persisted in the southern states of America. Combated by the Civil
Rights movement.
Martin Luther King was the son of a Baptist minister.
He believed that all men were created equal. He was shot dead in 1968.
After his death the Civil Rights movement increased its strength.
South Africa
This country had a particular racial issue.
Apartheid. In 1948 the South African government made
laws, which were designed to keep black and white people apart.
Many Christians – either foreigners of black south African were
against this.
Trevor Huddleston who was a member of the Community of
the Resurrection was a leading figure against Apartheid and was eventually
expelled by the government.
Steps taken
putting things right
1993 “Rejoicing in Suffering” a Church of England debate to
acknowledge the contribution the African churches.
2005 Archbishop John Sentamu – first black Archbishop of York.
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