Summary:
Explores how the Catholic Church deals with the morality of racism.
In today's world, racism is a powerful word, to some this word has reached the level of curse words in its offensiveness. Race issues are so fundamental in American society that they seem almost an integral component. Some Americans behave as if racial differences produce inherent superiority in European Americans (whites). In fact, such individuals respond to blacks and whites differently simply because of race. As a consequence, minorities are injured by judgments or actions that are directly or indirectly racist. The fact is that it is immoral to judge anyone based on their race or religion. In scripture, there are passages which state that it is immoral to be racist. Christianity and racism can never be combined because the core teachings of Jesus conflict with racist views.
Racism is not moral behavior. Groups like the Klu Klux Klan claim that racism is part of their supposedly moral Christian background. They believe that they are doing God's work by persecuting people of different race or religion. Another group that tried to combine Christianity and racism was the Nazi party started by Adolf Hitler. Hitler believed that anyone who was not white and Christian was inferior and had dreams of ultimately destroying anyone who he believed was inferior. Hitler was a totalitarian who can be compared with Osama Bin Laden in that they both came up with perverted versions of a valid religion in order to further their political agenda. Some people, namely atheists, claim that all Christians and Jews must be racist because they both believe they are chosen by God.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "Every form of social or cultural discrimination in fundamental personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, color, social conditions, language, or religion must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God's design." The catholic church does not in any way promote racism and clearly states that it is not morale or Christian.
It is stated in the Bible that everyone on earth is equal and therefore there should not be racism. "Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all." Colossians 3:11. Christianity does not teach racism but has been twisted by some to help them gain power. God is in us all therefore we are all equal is the message this scripture passage teaches us.
My conclusion is that racism is immoral. The Catholic Church and the scriptures strongly support this opinion despite what radicals such as those in the KKK claim. Obviously, racism must be immoral because the Church would endorse it otherwise.
I learned many things while writing this paper. I learned that the KKK pretends to be a Christian faith based organization. They believe that they are doing God's work by persecuting other races and religions. They believe that Christianity is a superior religion to others and use it as an excuse for horrible crimes.
This is the complete article, containing 492 words
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