Venom
07-11-2004, 12:42 PM
http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96062883/K=one+baptism/v=2/TID=DFIM_1/l=IVI/*-http://www.1lord1faith1baptism.org/111word_for_web.jpg
<font color="red"> 1 Samuel 16:6-7
6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him. 7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
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<font color="brown">A Systematic Refutation of the Racist Paradigm Part 1—A Biblical and Scientific Analysis </font>
By: Venom
Opening Statement
While I do not claim anyone on this site is racist, I can guarantee each individual here—at one point or another in their lives—has been evolutionized by the Racist Paradigm. Two excellent examples can be found in the following threads, how the false pagan religion of evolution warps young minds to think like Nazi's, (http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=717368&page=&view=&sb=5& o=&vc=1) and example of a secularized classification system: Are Italians from the White "Race" (http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=847157&page=&view=&sb=5& o=&vc=1)
This is why I implore each member that views this, to take the time and study these scientific and biblical truths. Racism is a horrible doctrine which has lead to death of millions. This attitude of superiority, and subsequent acts of violence, is usually the result(s) of fear, ignorance, and a misunderstanding. In order to end racism, numerous stumbling blocks must be removed. Fear not; before you lies the key to stopping this fallacious ideology once and for all! Enjoy!
What the Bible Says about Racism
In Acts, Paul states that:
<font color="RED"> Acts 17:26
And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.
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It is clear from scripture that we all are descendants of the first man, Adam, (1 Corinthians 15:45) who was created by God, and in his image (Genesis 2:7). Moreover, we all have a common problem inherited from Adam, sin (‘For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God’ Romans 3:23); and likewise, the same solution to our problem—his name is Jesus Christ!
Jesus Christ also became a descendant of Adam, being called the “last Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45), this is why the Gospel can be preached to all tribes and nations. Any descendant of Adam can be saved, because our mutual relative by blood (Jesus Christ) died and rose again. There are no different races biblically; in fact, the term is never even mentioned. The bible only distinguishes people groups by tribes, etc. Actually, the general differentiation scripture makes between people groups is that you are either a Jew or a Gentile (non Jew).
As far as salvation is concerned, you are either saved, or you are not saved—skin color is absolutely irrelevant. Scripture makes this very clear:
<font color="red"> Galatians 3:28
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:11
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Romans 10:12
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Ephesians 2: 11 – 22
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Revelation 7:9
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever [regardless of which ‘race’ one belongs too] believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. </font>
In Christ, any separation between people is broken down. As Christians, we are one in Christ and thus have a common purpose—to live for Him who made us.
James 2:1-13 also refutes this ideology. He tells a story of two people coming to church—one poor; the other rich. Preference, honor and esteem is shown to the wealthy visitor, while second-class status is assigned to the poor man. This is known as being a respecter of persons, and forbidden in Gods word, as it is based on unrighteous judgment. As Paul says, "There is no respect of persons with God". Romans 2: 11
The principle here has a variety of applications beyond economic status. When we discriminate against a person on the basis of any non-character trait we are wrong. A person's level of education; genealogical background; economic category; or skin color—these are non-character traits, and when we make judgments about people based on outward appearance, we have sinned.
Brother Calvin Schlabach (Cincinnati, Ohio) writes:
[ QUOTE ]
With all that the Bible says about it, it is sad that racism is still thriving in our society, and it is a disgrace that traces of it can still be found in the church. Nonetheless, the children of God will treat all people, regardless of race, with the love, kindness, and respect they deserve, being made in the image of God.
[/ QUOTE ]
http://www.thelightanddarkseries.com/THESWORD/TSA.jpg
It is the clear teaching of scripture that as members of Gods family, we must be of one mind:
<font color="RED"> Romans 15:6
That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Phillipians 1:27
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Phillipians 2:2
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. </font>
Unity is key to the body of Christ. We are all apart of the same body, and we all are needed equally in Christ. Racism is an enemy to this unity which is so vital to our success. The issue of Race is vital to refute. Imagine how much more the Church could accomplish if we stopped wasting time with such a hateful, fallacious doctrine.
I implore those reading to thoroughly study this document that as Peter says, you may be ready to give an answer for your faith. This is an essential doctrine to promoting unity within the Church, so that we can break down these hideous walls of partition.
Lastly, I am sure a number of individuals reading this believe there are different ‘races’; and or cannot give any sensible answer to why people have different skin colors, etc. This is again, why I advise all to study this; that you may be informed on the many fallacies in this doctrine.
Analysis of the Fallacious Term “Race”
Racism is a prejudice against people from other, so called, ‘races.’ This ideology incorrectly classifies humans by superficial characteristics such as skin color, eye shape etc. Most often, this results in the justification of disdain for other people. Examples of this have been seen for ages through groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, the Holocaust, slave trade, etc. However, when thoroughly investigated, the idea of different races has been shown to be a complete myth. For instance; the DNA of any two people in the world would differ by only 0.2%. Furthermore, only 6% of this can be linked to racial categories [2]. Another topic is skin color, which is one of the most popular methods of determining race. Yet, we all have the same skin pigment known as melanin. Simply put, the more melanin you have, the darker you will be, the less you have the lighter you will be, hence, different skin colors [2]. But this is by the same means—melanin—just more or less. This pigment will be discussed in-depth further on.
Race is also designated by certain features. For example, Asian eyes differ from typical Caucasian eyes. This is not a different attribute, but rather—as with melanin—more of the same feature. Fat plays an intricate role in eye shape. Asians typically have more fat around their eyes, while Caucasians tend to have less, producing different shaped eyes. But again, it’s just more or less of the same feature—nothing new genetically. All these principles generally apply to other features possessed by people groups such as different eye shapes.
Additionally, all people groups can interbreed showing biological differences are very small. Virtually all evolutionists agree that all humans came from one original population. In fact, a large amount of scientists would claim that, biologically, there is only one race—the human Race. All humans today are in fact classified under the same title homo sapeans sapeans.
<font color="brown"> Note on Similarity: </font>
Sometimes white Americans can have better tissue matches for black Americans than black Americans themselves!
http://bibleverseart.com/albums/PrintSeries1-StretchedCanvasGiclees01/Let_Your_Light_Shine.jpg
Race is cultural, but biologically fallacious. For instance, ABC News science states [4], “What the facts show is that there are differences among us, but they stem from culture, not race.” This same news paper again states, “More and more scientists find that the difference which set us apart are cultural, not racial. Some even say the word ‘race’ should be abandoned because it is meaningless.” I am certainly one of them! The term is highly fallacious. The article continues, “We accept the idea of race because it’s a convenient way of putting people into broad categories, frequently to suppress them…the most hideous example was provided by Hitler’s Germany. And racial prejudice remains common throughout the world.”
Furthermore, a scientists at the advancement of science convention in Atlanta in 1997 stated [5], “Race is a social construct derived mainly from perception conditioned by events of recorded history, and it has no basic biological reality.” A 1998 article in the Journal of counseling and development, argued that the word, “race” should be discarded as it is completely meaningless [6]!
Dr Douglas C. Wallace, professor of molecular genetics at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, states, 'The criteria that people use for race are based entirely on external features that we are programmed to recognize...' Simply put, the only reason we make a big deal of these minute differences is because we have been trained to in our secular society.
As Christians, I believe we should completely abandon the term “race”, as it is highly fallacious, and it’s fruits have demonstrated nothing but evil. It has been suggested, that we should instead refer to, “people groups” around the worlds, therefore differentiating by culture differences—not biological [7]. What this means is a Japanese person, who was brought up in the American culture, should be deemed an American, instead of classified into a flawed racist system. Because of this, personally, when I get one of those cards which ask me what ‘race’ I am, I state at the side, “there is no such thing as race; I am an American!” Or something to that effect.
Skin Color
The fallacy conjured up for the correlation between varying skin colors and “race” is that red skin, white skin, brown skin, etc. is observed. Therefore, it is said that there must be many different skin pigments or colorings. And, hence, a different genetic code or blue print in each people group; this is biologically incorrect. All have the same coloring pigment known as ‘melanin’ produced in melanocytes—its dark brownish. There is no such thing as different skin “colors.” Here is how it works:
1. If you have none you are an albino; this is caused by a genetic mutation.
2. If you have very little than your white.
3. If have a great amount, than you are dark black.
4. In-between are all shades of brown
Melanin is the primary factor which effects skin color. However, minor influences include various shades of the protein elastin, the pigment carotene, thickness of skin layers, etc. But, same principles govern these as melanin. Dr Anthony du Vivier, an authority in clinical dermatology, states that, “There are the same number of melanocytes [pigment-forming cells] to be found in both Negroid and Caucasian skin.” Experts agree that the difference in skin color is from the way melanin is ‘packaged’. Melanosomes (tiny melanin-packaging units) are more numerous, larger, and durable in black people than whites. This means that the difference in skin color is simply at the sub cellular level!
Melanin serves to protect the skin against ultraviolet light. With too little, you will more readily get sunburns and skin cancer. If you live in a country with little sunlight, and are have higher concentrations of this pigment, it will effectively block the incoming light, and make it more difficult to get enough vitamin D. You then would suffer from a deficiency, causing bone disorders such as rickets.
Melanin consists of two pigments eumelanin (dark brown) and phaeomelanin (redish). When people tan, sun stimulates the former pigment. Interestingly enough, red heads lack to ability to produce much eumelanin. Moreover, their red pigment reacts directly with sunlight to produce chemicals which cause damage to their DNA, which leads to skin cancer. Therefore, these individuals would have a more difficult time developing a tan; furthermore, they are more susceptible to sun burn. This is thought to be a mutation involved in pigment manufacturing within the skin cells.
Genes Determining Skin Color
Genes come in pairs—I.E. Hemoglobin—we have two sets of codes, one from each parent. Thus, if you inherit a damaged gene from one parent, you can still get a normal pair from the other. So for example, you could receive only half of a defective hemoglobin gene. In fact, each of us carries hundreds of genetic mistakes. These are usefully covered up by normal genes from other parents.
Skin color is controlled by several genes. Below I will be condensing them into two genes located at positions a and b on chromosomes.
One form of gene ‘M’ codes for lots of melaninl; while ‘m’ makes for a small amount of melanin. Here is an outline:
1. Very dark= MAMAMBMB,
2. Very White=mAmAmBmB
3. Brown MAMAmBmB or mAmAMBMB or MAmAMBmB
If two MAmAMBmB people had offspring, they could have in only one generation, almost the full range of colors, from white white, to very dark.
However, if MAMAMBMB only married each other, offspring would maintain same color, until a mutation occurred.
If the only genes in population are MAMAmBmB or mAmAMBMB and these people don’t intermarry with others, they will only be able to produce mid brown offspring.
Punnet Square
The Punnet square is a method used by geneticists to predict the outcome of cross breeding between two individuals with a known genotype (set of genes).
The Punnet square is composed of an array of cells that represent all of the possible offspring of the cross. It is made by listing all of the possible gametes (sperm or eggs) of one parent at the head of each column and all of the possible gametes of the other parent at the left of each
row of the array. To determine each possible offspring, simply combine the genotypes of each gamete contributing to a particular offspring (that is, write in a particular cell the genotype of the column and row heading).
This is a very efficient way for determining the possible different skin colors which may be produced by a set of parents.
Here are two excellent illustrations (curtsey of AIG) on possible offspring’s of two set of parents. One consists of two white parents, which only have the genetic information for little amount of melanin to be produced, and therefore, will inevitably have white children. The other shows the possible offspring from ‘mulatto’ brown parents. As you see, these parents can produce various amounts of skin combos!
http://www.answersingenesis.org/Home/Area/AnswersBook/images/18PunnetSquare.jpg http://www.answersingenesis.org/Home/Area/AnswersBook/images/18MelaninWhite.jpg
Thus, when people interbred from different people groups, it’s genetically possible to create combos such as almond eyes, with frizzy hair, or a European white, with a broad flat nose, or Chinese person with pale skin, or white guy’s eyes. Once again, it is clearly evident that race is scientifically void of evidence.
Where Did the “Races” Come From?
People inevitably wonder, “Where did the races form?” the biblical answer to this is quite clear. Noah and his family were probably mid brown, with the capability of producing all ‘race’ groups. Furthermore, it is postulated that Adam was mid brown, and produced a variety of offspring, with different outward traits. Brown is the perfect color, because you have enough melanin to block ultra violet, but not vitamin D production. However, even though brown has the most potential for gene combinations, as mentioned above, because the world was one language at Babel, without segregation of people groups, the majority would probably be brownish. To form distinct people groups, you would need to break apart into large breeding groups, and produce several small breeding groups: this is true for humans and animals.
Babel
The separation of languages at Babel would cause people of different languages to not intermarry, and to separate out into different environments. It’s highly likely that each group would have a lower range of skin colors than the original. One group may have dark skin color on average; another light. Same thing would occur with other characteristics. Since interbreeding was decreased, these features would not be averaged out as before. Moreover, the environment would select certain features. Example: a people move to cold region with little sunlight, people with dark skin, would not be able to survive as well as people with white skin. Therefore light skin would pre-dominate. This is because people with light skin don’t have enough melanin to block the little sun they get, while people with dark skin, and would block whatever little sunlight was available, disallowing vitamin D production. Great examples are Neanderthals, which show enormous evidences of bone deformation, and bent bones. It is postulated that they may have been dark skinned, and unable to survive in cold environments due to rickets. Conversely, fair skinned people would not be able to survive as easily as dark skinned in hot areas because of skin cancer. As stated previously, they would not be able to block out ultra violet light.
http://bibleverseart.com/albums/OldBibleVerseArt/Make_Disciples_Verse.jpg
To sum up the influence of environment on “racial” features. Environment can:
A. Affect balance of genes in a group
B. Eliminate entire groups
That is why to a large extent, physical characteristics tend to match environment. I.E. Nordic people with pale skin, in cold environment; and equatorial people with dark skin. However, there are exceptions such as the Eskimos, which live in cold environments, but have dark skin. This is because natural selection can only select what is there. So if only dark skin people were there, they would be the only ones to survive.
Another factor would be discrimination. People different from the ‘norm’—e.g. very light person in a dark person group—would be regarded as abnormal and rejected. It would be harder to find a marriage partner, which would tend to eliminate dark genes, and vice versa.
Certain mutation features would also be brought out in isolated small groups. Smaller people groups have a greater chance of expressing copying errors, and then breeding those errors, and hence, bringing out unusual features, that may have otherwise been blended out.
Choice can also influence where people groups are located; for example, people with more insulating layers of fat may tend to leave areas uncomfortably hot.
Also, Babel would account for slight genetic variations sometimes seen in different ‘races.’ I had a chance to talk to Ryan McClay who has B.Sc, and works for AIG. Here are his thoughts on the matter (we were discussing athletics):
[ QUOTE ]
I think that a much better explanation for the genetic differences among the people groups ("races") is explained by simple population genetics. At the tower of Babel when God separated the languages, it introduced a series of isolated human populations. Right there we have "lost" information from each of the populations. Whatever genetic information was present in Group A may or may not have been present in Group B depending on how the people groups were split up. So, in short, any genetic “superiority” could be nothing more than the loss of that athletic ability [for example] in the [or a given] “white” [or “dark”] population.
[/ QUOTE ]
So differences you see between people with different skin ‘color,’ hair, eye shape, etc. could be accounted for by Babel. The dispersion, involving the breaking up of a large group into many small groups (comprising members who spoke the same language) who only breed within the group ensured the resultant populations would have different mixes of genes for various physical features.
One point I want to stress is: you cannot group black, or white people into two groups; there are various different people groups, who have the same skin color, but certain genetic differences; i.e. a white Chinese man, with different shaped eyes than a white European. I could give thousands of examples of this; it again shows the fallacious nature of grouping people by skin ‘color.’ This is known as the fallacy of hasty generalization; unfortunately, it is often used to support the racists paradigm. Now, relating this to Babel, you would have several people groups with the same skin ‘color,’ but varying minutely in certain genetic traits—due to a loss of information; and or mutations—at different locations around the world. Simply put, skin ‘color’ is irrelevant to this subject.
Going back to the beginning, Adam and Eve were created perfect, sinless beings. Therefore, they would have had an abundant amount of genetic information, enabling their offspring to have a variety of genetic variations—skin color, eye shape, etc. The population at Babel was, however, descended directly from Noah. So his genetic diversity would have been slightly less; but a significant amount, nonetheless. Thus, the dispersion ensured that within a short time certain fixed differences would become apparent in some of the small groups, which we would call separate ‘races’
However, such differences do not arise out of nowhere; the information was already present, just that a new combination of genes can appear different. These differences are not only petty—the DNA of any two people in the world would differ by only 0.2%; and only 6% of this can be linked to racial categories, i.e. more or less of the same skin pigment—they are only ‘fixed’ if that group only intermarries within its own group. As individuals from different groups intermarry, genes would combine, leading to a greater potential for variation, and a lessening of apparent differences between the groups. In theory, such intermarriage should be a genetic benefit, increasing the overall information within offspring, and diluting harmful genes which have arisen through mutations since the fall.
Additionally, as explained earlier, if every person from different groups interbred, it’s genetically possible to create new genetic combinations. For example, black people with Asian eyes; white people with frizzy hair; etc. And again, several genetic mutations could be covered up. So interbreeding is indeed advantageous—genetically at least—to the participants. And indeed, we do see such genetic changes in America, as our country is so diverse. This shows the fallacious nature of arguments people make that skin color somehow causes genetic differences. The fallacy committed here is known as ‘non causa pro cause;’ that is, ‘not the cause for the cause.’ This is a type of false cause fallacy.
This fallacious argument occurs when what is taken to be the cause of something is not really the cause at all; the mistake is based on something other than mere temporal succession. Here is an example:
There are more laws on the books today than ever before, and more crimes are being committed than ever before. Therefore, to reduce crime we must eliminate the laws.
The increase in crime is only coincidental with the increase in laws. The fact that one event is coincidental with another is not enough evidence to think that one caused the other. So to with different skin colors—they have nothing to do with other genetic traits. Moreover, as thoroughly displayed in this paper, genetic differences between people groups are trivial.
Lastly, it is important to consider social influences; that is, our society encourages people of different ‘races’ to partake in certain activities. For instance, an old college professor I had once told me that he went to a counselor when he was young, seeking out how to go about his college career. And the adviser said he should play basketball! The guy was not even an athlete—just black. He further went on to say that he has commonly reported such like acts in our society; he is a professional anthropologist. Therefore, we may view different 'races' in certain positions, and assume this had something to do with their genetics, when it in fact had more to do with the racist paradigm in our present society.
In conclusion, modern genetics show how the break up of a population can arise in variations of skin color, among other features, in only a few generations. Furthermore, evidence suggests that people groups have not been separated for long periods of time (i.e. mitochondrial DNA), supporting the biblical paradigm.
<font color="brown">Note </font>
What exactly transpired at Babel, and the verses which discuss this historical event, will be discussed thoroughly in the next article.
The Stone Age
Archeology shows there were people who lived in caves and used simple stone tools. So this is often referred to as the “stone age.” But it is highly fallacious. There are still people like that today! However, after Babel, hostilities induced by new languages forced groups to scatter rapidly finding shelter when/where they could. Stone tools may have been used temporarily until settlements fully established. Or diverging groups may not have taken relevant knowledge with them. So some of these “stone age” tools, could be from this time period.
References:
1. Holy Bible.
2. J.C. Gutin, "End of the Rainbow," Discover, November 1994, pp. 71-75.
3. Redheads Come Out of the Shade," New Scientist, 1995, 147(1997):18.
4. “Were all the same” American Broadcasting Corporation News, September 10, 1998.
5. Robert Lee Holtz Los Angelus Times February 20, 1997.
6. Journal of counseling and development VOL 76 1998 p.g 277
7. One Blood: The biblical answer to racism.
Sites Used:
www.answersingenesis.org (http://www.answersingenesis.org)
www.icr.org (http://www.icr.org)
www.rae.org (http://www.rae.org)
www.appologeticsindex.org (http://www.appologeticsindex.org)
www.appologeticspress.org (http://www.appologeticspress.org)
www.trueorigin.org (http://www.trueorigin.org)
www.evolutionfairytale.com (http://www.evolutionfairytale.com)
www.christiananswers.net (http://www.christiananswers.net)
www.arn.org (http://www.arn.org)
www.drdino.com (http://www.drdino.com)
www.creationresearch.org (http://www.creationresearch.org)
www.bible.ca (http://www.bible.ca)
<font color="red"> 1 Samuel 16:6-7
6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him. 7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
</font>
<font color="brown">A Systematic Refutation of the Racist Paradigm Part 1—A Biblical and Scientific Analysis </font>
By: Venom
Opening Statement
While I do not claim anyone on this site is racist, I can guarantee each individual here—at one point or another in their lives—has been evolutionized by the Racist Paradigm. Two excellent examples can be found in the following threads, how the false pagan religion of evolution warps young minds to think like Nazi's, (http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=717368&page=&view=&sb=5& o=&vc=1) and example of a secularized classification system: Are Italians from the White "Race" (http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=847157&page=&view=&sb=5& o=&vc=1)
This is why I implore each member that views this, to take the time and study these scientific and biblical truths. Racism is a horrible doctrine which has lead to death of millions. This attitude of superiority, and subsequent acts of violence, is usually the result(s) of fear, ignorance, and a misunderstanding. In order to end racism, numerous stumbling blocks must be removed. Fear not; before you lies the key to stopping this fallacious ideology once and for all! Enjoy!
What the Bible Says about Racism
In Acts, Paul states that:
<font color="RED"> Acts 17:26
And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.
</font>
It is clear from scripture that we all are descendants of the first man, Adam, (1 Corinthians 15:45) who was created by God, and in his image (Genesis 2:7). Moreover, we all have a common problem inherited from Adam, sin (‘For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God’ Romans 3:23); and likewise, the same solution to our problem—his name is Jesus Christ!
Jesus Christ also became a descendant of Adam, being called the “last Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45), this is why the Gospel can be preached to all tribes and nations. Any descendant of Adam can be saved, because our mutual relative by blood (Jesus Christ) died and rose again. There are no different races biblically; in fact, the term is never even mentioned. The bible only distinguishes people groups by tribes, etc. Actually, the general differentiation scripture makes between people groups is that you are either a Jew or a Gentile (non Jew).
As far as salvation is concerned, you are either saved, or you are not saved—skin color is absolutely irrelevant. Scripture makes this very clear:
<font color="red"> Galatians 3:28
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:11
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Romans 10:12
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Ephesians 2: 11 – 22
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Revelation 7:9
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever [regardless of which ‘race’ one belongs too] believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. </font>
In Christ, any separation between people is broken down. As Christians, we are one in Christ and thus have a common purpose—to live for Him who made us.
James 2:1-13 also refutes this ideology. He tells a story of two people coming to church—one poor; the other rich. Preference, honor and esteem is shown to the wealthy visitor, while second-class status is assigned to the poor man. This is known as being a respecter of persons, and forbidden in Gods word, as it is based on unrighteous judgment. As Paul says, "There is no respect of persons with God". Romans 2: 11
The principle here has a variety of applications beyond economic status. When we discriminate against a person on the basis of any non-character trait we are wrong. A person's level of education; genealogical background; economic category; or skin color—these are non-character traits, and when we make judgments about people based on outward appearance, we have sinned.
Brother Calvin Schlabach (Cincinnati, Ohio) writes:
[ QUOTE ]
With all that the Bible says about it, it is sad that racism is still thriving in our society, and it is a disgrace that traces of it can still be found in the church. Nonetheless, the children of God will treat all people, regardless of race, with the love, kindness, and respect they deserve, being made in the image of God.
[/ QUOTE ]
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It is the clear teaching of scripture that as members of Gods family, we must be of one mind:
<font color="RED"> Romans 15:6
That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Phillipians 1:27
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Phillipians 2:2
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. </font>
Unity is key to the body of Christ. We are all apart of the same body, and we all are needed equally in Christ. Racism is an enemy to this unity which is so vital to our success. The issue of Race is vital to refute. Imagine how much more the Church could accomplish if we stopped wasting time with such a hateful, fallacious doctrine.
I implore those reading to thoroughly study this document that as Peter says, you may be ready to give an answer for your faith. This is an essential doctrine to promoting unity within the Church, so that we can break down these hideous walls of partition.
Lastly, I am sure a number of individuals reading this believe there are different ‘races’; and or cannot give any sensible answer to why people have different skin colors, etc. This is again, why I advise all to study this; that you may be informed on the many fallacies in this doctrine.
Analysis of the Fallacious Term “Race”
Racism is a prejudice against people from other, so called, ‘races.’ This ideology incorrectly classifies humans by superficial characteristics such as skin color, eye shape etc. Most often, this results in the justification of disdain for other people. Examples of this have been seen for ages through groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, the Holocaust, slave trade, etc. However, when thoroughly investigated, the idea of different races has been shown to be a complete myth. For instance; the DNA of any two people in the world would differ by only 0.2%. Furthermore, only 6% of this can be linked to racial categories [2]. Another topic is skin color, which is one of the most popular methods of determining race. Yet, we all have the same skin pigment known as melanin. Simply put, the more melanin you have, the darker you will be, the less you have the lighter you will be, hence, different skin colors [2]. But this is by the same means—melanin—just more or less. This pigment will be discussed in-depth further on.
Race is also designated by certain features. For example, Asian eyes differ from typical Caucasian eyes. This is not a different attribute, but rather—as with melanin—more of the same feature. Fat plays an intricate role in eye shape. Asians typically have more fat around their eyes, while Caucasians tend to have less, producing different shaped eyes. But again, it’s just more or less of the same feature—nothing new genetically. All these principles generally apply to other features possessed by people groups such as different eye shapes.
Additionally, all people groups can interbreed showing biological differences are very small. Virtually all evolutionists agree that all humans came from one original population. In fact, a large amount of scientists would claim that, biologically, there is only one race—the human Race. All humans today are in fact classified under the same title homo sapeans sapeans.
<font color="brown"> Note on Similarity: </font>
Sometimes white Americans can have better tissue matches for black Americans than black Americans themselves!
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Race is cultural, but biologically fallacious. For instance, ABC News science states [4], “What the facts show is that there are differences among us, but they stem from culture, not race.” This same news paper again states, “More and more scientists find that the difference which set us apart are cultural, not racial. Some even say the word ‘race’ should be abandoned because it is meaningless.” I am certainly one of them! The term is highly fallacious. The article continues, “We accept the idea of race because it’s a convenient way of putting people into broad categories, frequently to suppress them…the most hideous example was provided by Hitler’s Germany. And racial prejudice remains common throughout the world.”
Furthermore, a scientists at the advancement of science convention in Atlanta in 1997 stated [5], “Race is a social construct derived mainly from perception conditioned by events of recorded history, and it has no basic biological reality.” A 1998 article in the Journal of counseling and development, argued that the word, “race” should be discarded as it is completely meaningless [6]!
Dr Douglas C. Wallace, professor of molecular genetics at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, states, 'The criteria that people use for race are based entirely on external features that we are programmed to recognize...' Simply put, the only reason we make a big deal of these minute differences is because we have been trained to in our secular society.
As Christians, I believe we should completely abandon the term “race”, as it is highly fallacious, and it’s fruits have demonstrated nothing but evil. It has been suggested, that we should instead refer to, “people groups” around the worlds, therefore differentiating by culture differences—not biological [7]. What this means is a Japanese person, who was brought up in the American culture, should be deemed an American, instead of classified into a flawed racist system. Because of this, personally, when I get one of those cards which ask me what ‘race’ I am, I state at the side, “there is no such thing as race; I am an American!” Or something to that effect.
Skin Color
The fallacy conjured up for the correlation between varying skin colors and “race” is that red skin, white skin, brown skin, etc. is observed. Therefore, it is said that there must be many different skin pigments or colorings. And, hence, a different genetic code or blue print in each people group; this is biologically incorrect. All have the same coloring pigment known as ‘melanin’ produced in melanocytes—its dark brownish. There is no such thing as different skin “colors.” Here is how it works:
1. If you have none you are an albino; this is caused by a genetic mutation.
2. If you have very little than your white.
3. If have a great amount, than you are dark black.
4. In-between are all shades of brown
Melanin is the primary factor which effects skin color. However, minor influences include various shades of the protein elastin, the pigment carotene, thickness of skin layers, etc. But, same principles govern these as melanin. Dr Anthony du Vivier, an authority in clinical dermatology, states that, “There are the same number of melanocytes [pigment-forming cells] to be found in both Negroid and Caucasian skin.” Experts agree that the difference in skin color is from the way melanin is ‘packaged’. Melanosomes (tiny melanin-packaging units) are more numerous, larger, and durable in black people than whites. This means that the difference in skin color is simply at the sub cellular level!
Melanin serves to protect the skin against ultraviolet light. With too little, you will more readily get sunburns and skin cancer. If you live in a country with little sunlight, and are have higher concentrations of this pigment, it will effectively block the incoming light, and make it more difficult to get enough vitamin D. You then would suffer from a deficiency, causing bone disorders such as rickets.
Melanin consists of two pigments eumelanin (dark brown) and phaeomelanin (redish). When people tan, sun stimulates the former pigment. Interestingly enough, red heads lack to ability to produce much eumelanin. Moreover, their red pigment reacts directly with sunlight to produce chemicals which cause damage to their DNA, which leads to skin cancer. Therefore, these individuals would have a more difficult time developing a tan; furthermore, they are more susceptible to sun burn. This is thought to be a mutation involved in pigment manufacturing within the skin cells.
Genes Determining Skin Color
Genes come in pairs—I.E. Hemoglobin—we have two sets of codes, one from each parent. Thus, if you inherit a damaged gene from one parent, you can still get a normal pair from the other. So for example, you could receive only half of a defective hemoglobin gene. In fact, each of us carries hundreds of genetic mistakes. These are usefully covered up by normal genes from other parents.
Skin color is controlled by several genes. Below I will be condensing them into two genes located at positions a and b on chromosomes.
One form of gene ‘M’ codes for lots of melaninl; while ‘m’ makes for a small amount of melanin. Here is an outline:
1. Very dark= MAMAMBMB,
2. Very White=mAmAmBmB
3. Brown MAMAmBmB or mAmAMBMB or MAmAMBmB
If two MAmAMBmB people had offspring, they could have in only one generation, almost the full range of colors, from white white, to very dark.
However, if MAMAMBMB only married each other, offspring would maintain same color, until a mutation occurred.
If the only genes in population are MAMAmBmB or mAmAMBMB and these people don’t intermarry with others, they will only be able to produce mid brown offspring.
Punnet Square
The Punnet square is a method used by geneticists to predict the outcome of cross breeding between two individuals with a known genotype (set of genes).
The Punnet square is composed of an array of cells that represent all of the possible offspring of the cross. It is made by listing all of the possible gametes (sperm or eggs) of one parent at the head of each column and all of the possible gametes of the other parent at the left of each
row of the array. To determine each possible offspring, simply combine the genotypes of each gamete contributing to a particular offspring (that is, write in a particular cell the genotype of the column and row heading).
This is a very efficient way for determining the possible different skin colors which may be produced by a set of parents.
Here are two excellent illustrations (curtsey of AIG) on possible offspring’s of two set of parents. One consists of two white parents, which only have the genetic information for little amount of melanin to be produced, and therefore, will inevitably have white children. The other shows the possible offspring from ‘mulatto’ brown parents. As you see, these parents can produce various amounts of skin combos!
http://www.answersingenesis.org/Home/Area/AnswersBook/images/18PunnetSquare.jpg http://www.answersingenesis.org/Home/Area/AnswersBook/images/18MelaninWhite.jpg
Thus, when people interbred from different people groups, it’s genetically possible to create combos such as almond eyes, with frizzy hair, or a European white, with a broad flat nose, or Chinese person with pale skin, or white guy’s eyes. Once again, it is clearly evident that race is scientifically void of evidence.
Where Did the “Races” Come From?
People inevitably wonder, “Where did the races form?” the biblical answer to this is quite clear. Noah and his family were probably mid brown, with the capability of producing all ‘race’ groups. Furthermore, it is postulated that Adam was mid brown, and produced a variety of offspring, with different outward traits. Brown is the perfect color, because you have enough melanin to block ultra violet, but not vitamin D production. However, even though brown has the most potential for gene combinations, as mentioned above, because the world was one language at Babel, without segregation of people groups, the majority would probably be brownish. To form distinct people groups, you would need to break apart into large breeding groups, and produce several small breeding groups: this is true for humans and animals.
Babel
The separation of languages at Babel would cause people of different languages to not intermarry, and to separate out into different environments. It’s highly likely that each group would have a lower range of skin colors than the original. One group may have dark skin color on average; another light. Same thing would occur with other characteristics. Since interbreeding was decreased, these features would not be averaged out as before. Moreover, the environment would select certain features. Example: a people move to cold region with little sunlight, people with dark skin, would not be able to survive as well as people with white skin. Therefore light skin would pre-dominate. This is because people with light skin don’t have enough melanin to block the little sun they get, while people with dark skin, and would block whatever little sunlight was available, disallowing vitamin D production. Great examples are Neanderthals, which show enormous evidences of bone deformation, and bent bones. It is postulated that they may have been dark skinned, and unable to survive in cold environments due to rickets. Conversely, fair skinned people would not be able to survive as easily as dark skinned in hot areas because of skin cancer. As stated previously, they would not be able to block out ultra violet light.
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To sum up the influence of environment on “racial” features. Environment can:
A. Affect balance of genes in a group
B. Eliminate entire groups
That is why to a large extent, physical characteristics tend to match environment. I.E. Nordic people with pale skin, in cold environment; and equatorial people with dark skin. However, there are exceptions such as the Eskimos, which live in cold environments, but have dark skin. This is because natural selection can only select what is there. So if only dark skin people were there, they would be the only ones to survive.
Another factor would be discrimination. People different from the ‘norm’—e.g. very light person in a dark person group—would be regarded as abnormal and rejected. It would be harder to find a marriage partner, which would tend to eliminate dark genes, and vice versa.
Certain mutation features would also be brought out in isolated small groups. Smaller people groups have a greater chance of expressing copying errors, and then breeding those errors, and hence, bringing out unusual features, that may have otherwise been blended out.
Choice can also influence where people groups are located; for example, people with more insulating layers of fat may tend to leave areas uncomfortably hot.
Also, Babel would account for slight genetic variations sometimes seen in different ‘races.’ I had a chance to talk to Ryan McClay who has B.Sc, and works for AIG. Here are his thoughts on the matter (we were discussing athletics):
[ QUOTE ]
I think that a much better explanation for the genetic differences among the people groups ("races") is explained by simple population genetics. At the tower of Babel when God separated the languages, it introduced a series of isolated human populations. Right there we have "lost" information from each of the populations. Whatever genetic information was present in Group A may or may not have been present in Group B depending on how the people groups were split up. So, in short, any genetic “superiority” could be nothing more than the loss of that athletic ability [for example] in the [or a given] “white” [or “dark”] population.
[/ QUOTE ]
So differences you see between people with different skin ‘color,’ hair, eye shape, etc. could be accounted for by Babel. The dispersion, involving the breaking up of a large group into many small groups (comprising members who spoke the same language) who only breed within the group ensured the resultant populations would have different mixes of genes for various physical features.
One point I want to stress is: you cannot group black, or white people into two groups; there are various different people groups, who have the same skin color, but certain genetic differences; i.e. a white Chinese man, with different shaped eyes than a white European. I could give thousands of examples of this; it again shows the fallacious nature of grouping people by skin ‘color.’ This is known as the fallacy of hasty generalization; unfortunately, it is often used to support the racists paradigm. Now, relating this to Babel, you would have several people groups with the same skin ‘color,’ but varying minutely in certain genetic traits—due to a loss of information; and or mutations—at different locations around the world. Simply put, skin ‘color’ is irrelevant to this subject.
Going back to the beginning, Adam and Eve were created perfect, sinless beings. Therefore, they would have had an abundant amount of genetic information, enabling their offspring to have a variety of genetic variations—skin color, eye shape, etc. The population at Babel was, however, descended directly from Noah. So his genetic diversity would have been slightly less; but a significant amount, nonetheless. Thus, the dispersion ensured that within a short time certain fixed differences would become apparent in some of the small groups, which we would call separate ‘races’
However, such differences do not arise out of nowhere; the information was already present, just that a new combination of genes can appear different. These differences are not only petty—the DNA of any two people in the world would differ by only 0.2%; and only 6% of this can be linked to racial categories, i.e. more or less of the same skin pigment—they are only ‘fixed’ if that group only intermarries within its own group. As individuals from different groups intermarry, genes would combine, leading to a greater potential for variation, and a lessening of apparent differences between the groups. In theory, such intermarriage should be a genetic benefit, increasing the overall information within offspring, and diluting harmful genes which have arisen through mutations since the fall.
Additionally, as explained earlier, if every person from different groups interbred, it’s genetically possible to create new genetic combinations. For example, black people with Asian eyes; white people with frizzy hair; etc. And again, several genetic mutations could be covered up. So interbreeding is indeed advantageous—genetically at least—to the participants. And indeed, we do see such genetic changes in America, as our country is so diverse. This shows the fallacious nature of arguments people make that skin color somehow causes genetic differences. The fallacy committed here is known as ‘non causa pro cause;’ that is, ‘not the cause for the cause.’ This is a type of false cause fallacy.
This fallacious argument occurs when what is taken to be the cause of something is not really the cause at all; the mistake is based on something other than mere temporal succession. Here is an example:
There are more laws on the books today than ever before, and more crimes are being committed than ever before. Therefore, to reduce crime we must eliminate the laws.
The increase in crime is only coincidental with the increase in laws. The fact that one event is coincidental with another is not enough evidence to think that one caused the other. So to with different skin colors—they have nothing to do with other genetic traits. Moreover, as thoroughly displayed in this paper, genetic differences between people groups are trivial.
Lastly, it is important to consider social influences; that is, our society encourages people of different ‘races’ to partake in certain activities. For instance, an old college professor I had once told me that he went to a counselor when he was young, seeking out how to go about his college career. And the adviser said he should play basketball! The guy was not even an athlete—just black. He further went on to say that he has commonly reported such like acts in our society; he is a professional anthropologist. Therefore, we may view different 'races' in certain positions, and assume this had something to do with their genetics, when it in fact had more to do with the racist paradigm in our present society.
In conclusion, modern genetics show how the break up of a population can arise in variations of skin color, among other features, in only a few generations. Furthermore, evidence suggests that people groups have not been separated for long periods of time (i.e. mitochondrial DNA), supporting the biblical paradigm.
<font color="brown">Note </font>
What exactly transpired at Babel, and the verses which discuss this historical event, will be discussed thoroughly in the next article.
The Stone Age
Archeology shows there were people who lived in caves and used simple stone tools. So this is often referred to as the “stone age.” But it is highly fallacious. There are still people like that today! However, after Babel, hostilities induced by new languages forced groups to scatter rapidly finding shelter when/where they could. Stone tools may have been used temporarily until settlements fully established. Or diverging groups may not have taken relevant knowledge with them. So some of these “stone age” tools, could be from this time period.
References:
1. Holy Bible.
2. J.C. Gutin, "End of the Rainbow," Discover, November 1994, pp. 71-75.
3. Redheads Come Out of the Shade," New Scientist, 1995, 147(1997):18.
4. “Were all the same” American Broadcasting Corporation News, September 10, 1998.
5. Robert Lee Holtz Los Angelus Times February 20, 1997.
6. Journal of counseling and development VOL 76 1998 p.g 277
7. One Blood: The biblical answer to racism.
Sites Used:
www.answersingenesis.org (http://www.answersingenesis.org)
www.icr.org (http://www.icr.org)
www.rae.org (http://www.rae.org)
www.appologeticsindex.org (http://www.appologeticsindex.org)
www.appologeticspress.org (http://www.appologeticspress.org)
www.trueorigin.org (http://www.trueorigin.org)
www.evolutionfairytale.com (http://www.evolutionfairytale.com)
www.christiananswers.net (http://www.christiananswers.net)
www.arn.org (http://www.arn.org)
www.drdino.com (http://www.drdino.com)
www.creationresearch.org (http://www.creationresearch.org)
www.bible.ca (http://www.bible.ca)