So, What’s a Racist?
Let us define “racist” as one who is preoccupied with race and considers all matters of human society and intercourse among people to be colored by race and the attending debates and consternation arising from disorder or restless contention among people of racial distinctions who which to engage one another with race always as a issue about which constant consternation must be sustained. So, one may hold varying views of race and justice, intermarriage, and equality of ability and so be deemed a racist for holding to any opinion which distinguishes one race from another.
Got, then, many-a racist out there of all colors and ethnicities, one might suppose! And this all flows quite reasonably out of a materialist, evolutionary anthropological view of the human race. Different kinds of dogs out there! Different kinds of cat and dogs, mice and rats all evolving from some soupy, original, slimy cells! And one “breed” of critter just might be regarded as superior to the other: better sensitivity, better brains, better agility, etc. And the critter with the more sophisticated features must be superior to the one without. But physical features and prominent abilities are not the basis for human dignity and reverence above all other creatures.
Indeed, with the human phenomenon – the one creature of all, created in the very “image of God” – there is that singular feature which places all humans above all other creatures. Yes, the “image” – defined as “original righteousness and holiness” by Biblical theologians down through the ages – separates mankind (not to exclude you ladies, now!) from the rest of the members of the “animal kingdom.”
All human beings share in that feature which elevates them above the rest of creation. On the basis of this image, the killing (by murder) of other human beings is prohibited and punishable by death. Indeed, one who harms or degrades any human being, scorning the dignity of his humanity may be called a racist. He thus blasphemes that “animal” which is holy, set apart from all other creatures.
Who, then, degrades humanity? The man-stealer? The murderer? The thief? The fornicator? The adulterer?
Yes, he who assaults another human by harm, abuse or disrespect does degrade humanity.
Make it right where you can. Give honor where honor is due. Cease from offending; avoid practicing any form of racism. All human beings bear the image of God equally.
1546 on 28 March, 2022.
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