The fallacy of racism The fallacy of racism
[The fallacy of racism by Paula Weston] "The evolutionary view that life can evolve to ‘higher’ levels provides fuel for racist attitudes. The Bible, on the other hand, clearly shows the fallacy of racism.
The increasing spread of evolutionist doctrine has much to answer for in relation to the way people often treat each other. Sadly, people rarely recognize that the prejudices which have slowly become ingrained in their psyche have often been a result—directly or indirectly—of evolutionary thinking.
One of the prevalent evidences of man’s inhumanity to man is racism. Put simply, racism is prejudice against people of other ‘races’ for that reason alone. Stereotypical rules are applied to demean individuals based on their cultural background, skin colour, appearance, or accent. More often than not, these rules allow an unfounded assumption of superiority over that individual, which in turn justifies any feelings of disdain or indifference towards them. In truth, this attitude is usually based on nothing more than fear, ignorance, and misunderstanding. The manifestations of racism can be blatant, such as in hatred from the Ku Klux Klan or the oppressiveness of apartheid; it can also be as simple as telling degrading anecdotes or possessing a cold attitude of indifference.
As a result of evolutionary thinking, many in Western society are unable to experience heartfelt sympathy for starving children in poverty-stricken Third World countries. For reasons they could never justify, they believe ‘life’ somehow means less to these strangers with different skin colour and features. Incredibly, I have heard this type of comment from ‘educated’ people!
This misinformed attitude is understandable if people accept the idea of ‘survival of the fittest’, that the rules of the animal kingdom must apply to humans ‘because we’ve all evolved from animals’!
Neither racism—nor the idea of evolution—started with Darwin. Both are manifestations of basing one’s thinking on a non-biblical foundation. However, Darwin’s writings greatly fuelled racism, providing a ‘scientific’ justification for it. His book’s subtitle referred to the ‘preservation of favoured races’..." Full text: The fallacy of racism, Weston. http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/cm/v20/n1/racism
Do you believe the races developed at different rates? Do you believe some races are more advanced than others? What are the consequences of departing from a biblical view with regard to the races?
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." - George Orwell, Animal Farm, Ch. 10.
http://www.theologyonline.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2387576#post2387576
Response to comment [from an atheist]: "[T]he article is insulting ignorant garbage."
No one is calling the naturalist a racist. The idea is that the believe in the theory of evolution can lead to racist thinking.
Response to comment [from an athiest]: "What was "higher levels" even supposed to mean?"
That people evolved at different times along different lines. Can you see how such a believe could lead people to believe that some races are better than others?
"Unsubstantiated accusation...lack of sympathy"
People write off others thinking the problem is too big--"It's just natural", "Survival of the fittest". A naturalistic worldview leads to fatalism?
"It also commits the mistake of thinking that evolution prescribes morals."
Where do you get your morals and values from?
"...[R]acism it seems is at an all time low within human history."
Identity politics and class warfare is used for "Commie: control in our new dictatorship of relativism (godlessness). Do you recognize an Animal Farm moment in our time?
"...[I]t still wouldn't justify racism though if such a difference did exist anyway."
Do you believe in those differences? The Bible says we are one race, one blood (Ac 17:26).
Response to comment [from a Christian]: "There's nothing out there causing us to be racially bigoted. We're just prone to it."
Is it possible that a naturalistic worldview can affect
us on a subconscious level (not to go all
psycho-babble here) in the way we see others?
Would you have a closer kinship with one of a different people group who is a
Christian than one in your own family who is not? In other words, what matters
more to you--a person's belief system or a person's ethnicity (I'm sure I know
the answer but I'm putting it out there for others, too).
They say the test of racist attitudes is asking someone if
they would want their son or daughter marrying a person of a different race.
Perhaps people are willing to give their views on that also.
Response to comment [from a Catholic]: [Henry Morris supposedly a
racist
]
Would you care more if your son or daughter married one outside your faith or one outside your people group?
Response to comment [from an atheist]: [Marry outside people group] "The answer would be no, I would not care in the slightest. I also wouldn't care if my wife were to be of a different "people group"."
I agree. Differences in people groups are irrelevant. Differences in faith are very relevant (2 Cor 6:14).
Response to comment [from a Catholic]: "A conservative is concerned someone else might get some of the water."
Do you believe that you are entitled to the fruits of someone else's labor? Mr 7:22,23.
"You don't gloss over the nasty bits when you're offering someone a way out...Moses murdered an Egyptian guard..."
Excellent points. Have you ever walked through those beautiful churches with monuments to the saints? They are made out to be perfect and untouchable. They weren't "saints" at all. They were imperfect men and women like us.
Response to comment [from a Catholic]: "Outside the faith would bother me a little."
Re 3:15.
"And shame on you for trying that ploy...One of the reasons that creationists have the reputation they do, is that kind of thinking."
It's a question. If you don't like it don't answer it.
Response to comment [from a Catholic]: [Henry Morris...racist]
Understand the difference between ethnicity and
ethics.
The fallacy of racism