Christianity is a religion centered around the teachings and life of Jesus Christ, as described in the Bible.  Its core beliefs include:

* One God:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    * There is one God who exists as three persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit.
* Jesus is the Son of God: Jesus is both fully human and fully divine. He came to Earth to save humanity from sin and death.
* Salvation through faith:  Humans are saved from eternal separation from God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
* The Bible is the inspired word of God: The Bible is considered the authoritative source of religious teachings and guidance.
* Love and compassion:  Christians are called to love God and love their neighbors as themselves.

How Racists Try to Distort Christianity:
Unfortunately, throughout history, some individuals and groups have misused Christian teachings to justify racist ideologies and actions. Here are some common tactics they employ:
* Misinterpreting the Bible:  They might selectively quote or misinterpret passages from the Bible to support their views, often taking verses out of context or ignoring the overall message of love and equality.

* The “Curse of Ham”:  This refers to a story in the Bible about Noah cursing his son Ham’s descendants. Some have used this story to justify the enslavement and oppression of Black people, falsely claiming they are descendants of Ham.

* “Separate but equal”:  This segregationist ideology was sometimes defended using biblical principles of order and hierarchy, twisting the concept of different roles within the church to justify social inequality.
* Ignoring Jesus’ teachings on love:  They might downplay or ignore Jesus’ clear teachings on loving all people, including those from different backgrounds, and focus instead on passages that seem to support their prejudices.

Important to Remember:
* These interpretations are distortions:  These racist justifications are not supported by mainstream Christian theology and are condemned by many Christian leaders and denominations.
* True Christianity promotes equality:  The core message of Christianity is one of love, compassion, and equality for all people, regardless of race or ethnicity.
* Many Christians fight against racism:  Countless Christians throughout history have been at the forefront of fighting for social justice and racial equality, inspired by their faith.

It’s crucial to recognize that racism is incompatible with the true teachings of Christianity. Any attempt to use the Bible to justify prejudice and discrimination is a gross distortion of its message.

tik4tat research team, 2024.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Your Life-Your Future