What Does “Racism” Even Mean, And Is It Sinful?

For the past four months or so following the death of George Floyd, addressing the problems of “systematic racism” and “white privilege” have become mainstays within the mainstream news’ narratives. What’s more, even many of the conservative Evangelical churches have picked up the cross of “fighting racism.” But what does “racism” actually mean? There’s just so many definitions, that it’s often hard to determine what’s actually considered “racist.” Finally, is it sinful for a Christian to be “racist”?

To start, let us look at what Meriam Webster’s Dictionary defines racism as:

1. a belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2. behavior or attitudes that reflect and foster this belief: racial discrimination or prejudice
3. the systemic oppression of a racial group to the social, economic, and political advantage of another
4. a political or social system founded on racism and designed to execute its principles

In addition to Webster’s definition, people will often consider stereotypes, crime statistics, racial/ethnic jokes, European/American history, cultural appropriation, and low diversity as racist as well.

As one can see, the amount of things that can be considered “racist” seems almost endless. It makes the term seem almost meaningless since it can vary so much form person to person. Not to mention that the term didn’t appear until the early 1900s, and some people say it originated with known communist Leon Trotsky.

As we can see, the term racism is often ill-defined, but let us examine from a Christian perspective the common definitions as defined above. According to definition number one, it’s wrong to think of any particular people as inherently superior to another. Essentially, this means all humans are the same. The problem with this is that nobody truly believes this, even the most ardent supporters of equality. The differences in the human family are obvious to any thinking person. Some people are taller than others, some people are naturally more creative, some people are blessed with good looks, and some people are smarter than others. No one person is completely equal to another. Nobody considers it racist to say that black Americans are generally better athletes, or that East Asians are smarter than most on average. Yet for some reason, it’s considered racist to state that whites are superior in certain traits compared to other racial groups, or that blacks have the lowest average IQ.

Some will say that racial differences are not biblical, and that we are all one in Christ. Many will point to Galatians 3:28 to prove their point. Yet, this is a misuse of scripture. The point Saint Paul was trying to make was that the Jewish people where not the exclusive heirs of salvation. God desires to save all people regardless of race, ethnicity, class, or gender. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, we all come to the cross equally helpless. No earthly privileges give anyone the upper hand in obtaining favor with God. We are all condemned without the blood of Christ. So, we are all spiritually equal in Christ, but this doesn’t mean the Bible is an egalitarian book. There still remain differences in our physical lives. Otherwise, Paul wouldn’t have told slaves to submit to their masters, servants to be content with their wages, or wives to submit to their husbands.

So, the first definition of racism is not contrary to the Christian religion, what about the second definition? Well, what do you mean by discrimination and prejudice? If one means having an ill-will, hatred, or mistreatment of other races I think one can easily deride that behavior as sinful and contrary to what Jesus taught. Yet, oftentimes people will claim discrimination/prejudice in response to things that are not inherently sinful. Not hiring enough minorities, wanting immigration restriction, or desiring to marry within one’s own race are often lumped into this category. The truth is that all people discriminate on a certain level, it’s a normal part of life, and it’s not inherently hateful/sinful. For example, choosing  to marry a person of one’s own age over someone 50 years older is “discriminatory.” Does that mean one hates senior citizens? No, it just means one prefers to marry someone closer to one’s own age. The same standard can be applied to marrying within one’s own race, as well as, choosing who is allowed to immigrate into one’s nation, or preferring to hire people like themselves. What about prejudice? Well, prejudice is defined by Webster’s as:

“preconceived judgment or opinion or an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge”

Ironically, according to this definition, the people calling others prejudicial are actually the ones being prejudice, for they are the ones pre-judging. Most of what is labeled prejudice is actually far from it. Instead, it’s often based on clear facts and statistics. For example, many would consider it prejudice to say that blacks are prone to violent crime, promiscuity, and single motherhood. This is not prejudice, for it is clearly seen in the statistics. Blacks are only 13% of the population, yet commit 50% of the crime. These are just facts. Yet, some will say “that’s just a stereotype” and “the Bible is against stereotypes.” Really? First of all, stereotypes are usually based on facts/patterns. While not applicable to every single case, as a general rule they often turn out to be true. And, when one looks at the Bible, you will find that God is not against generalizations or “prejudice,” just look at the numerous descriptions of the nations.

Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous 21  that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.

Genesis 18:20-21

Paul even quotes a prophet who greatly stereotypes the Cretans, and Paul affirms it as true.

10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.

Titus 1:10-13

Jesus even compares the Canaanites as dogs. That’s not very egalitarian.

Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us. He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Matthew 15:23-28

The last two definitions of racism seem to be against hierarchical societies, or any version of society that goes against egalitarianism/equality. As I’ve stated earlier, there’s a difference between mistreatment/oppression of classes/races of people and having hierarchy and differences between members of society. The idea of absolute equality is a Marxist inspired idea, and for Christians it’s an idea that we acknowledge to be impossible in a fallen world. It’s utopianism. Furthermore, the Bible nowhere promotes egalitarianism, and is instead hierarchical throughout its’ pages. The Scriptures see no contradiction between having riches while also not mistreating the poor and loving God. The Bible, instead, promotes harmonious inegalitarianism. Those who God gives power and privilege are not to abuse these gifts and are instead expected to be moral leaders and servants of their people. Likewise, the poor and non-citizens, the “un-privileged,” are to submit to their superiors, and be content.

After examining the meaning of the word “racism,” I find it to be a very confusing, ambiguous word with many meanings. While I’m against hating or harboring ill-will towards people of other races, many people define the term much more broadly. Additionally, the “R”-word’s main use seems to be to silence dissent/opposition from the mainstream politically correct narrative. My hope is that people will move beyond the use of this overused word, and ignore those in the PC mainstream who constantly use it to silence genuine traditionalists and conservatives.