Race, Religion, and Reconciliation
As an Asian American, I’ve faced many years of racism and discrimination for things I cannot change about myself. I’ve sought forgiveness and grace throughout these experiences, but their effects will be with me forever. As humans, we all make choices. We all form ideas and actions around the information we see. Something I’ve found over the course of my life, is that believing in the same God as someone, does not make you the same. Although we are taught to love, accept, and surrender to God’s will, not all Christian’s approach faith or the Church community the same. Unfortunately, when I see love in the bible, some of my Christian counterparts see certain bible verses as a weapon to be used against me and the people who look like me. Throughout history, we see Christians playing a role in the oppression of people of color. Most Christians today would agree that slavery contradicts the fundamental beliefs we uphold, but those same Christians deny their complicity in the racial oppression and violence happening today. Those men enslaving black men, women, and children were the same men attending church every Sunday. The argument about things “being different” then is not justification for open support or quiet acceptance. In those times, there were also abolitionists and civil rights activities. The right thing is always an option, no matter what time you’re living in. There are ways we as a society have remained complicit in this racial oppression despite slavery being abolished.
When speaking with fellow Christians about the racism I’ve experienced, I’ve been told things like “look how far we’ve come;” “at least you haven’t experienced physical violence;” and “what did you do to make them say those things.” The world as we know it is a result of groups of people benefiting over other groups of people. As humans, we are constantly redefining good and evil to use for our own advantage. It’s often at the cost of others.
Ultimately, the conflict between being an Asian American and a Christian doesn’t have to do with my relationship with God and my relationship with the Church fellowship. I’ve seen Christians post and support things that go against racial equality. This agenda includes keeping minorities oppressed (consciously or unconsciously), spewing political opinions, or creating a false superiority. I will never understand how words from God can be manipulated to fit the agenda of ignorant people. I will never understand why people continue to capitalize on the fears and biases used during slavery to fit their objectives today. That’s the point though, isn’t it? We’re all just people; and people make mistakes.
Minorities in this country have often faced discrimination for the color of their skin and condemnation for speaking out about it. I’m no stranger to these things, and Christians have sometimes been the instigators in these situations. How can an individual reconcile being spat on in the street and ‘welcomed’ in the church by the same people? Through God, you can have grace and forgiveness. I believe that because God has given that to me. I find worth in my relationship with God, but that doesn’t make me immune to worldly struggles.
God’s love is unconditional, but sometimes acceptance within a church community is not. Unfortunately, some people who share the same God as me use our shared beliefs to call out certain actions or traits that don’t match their criteria of what a Christian looks like. Christianity like this makes me feel like I won’t be welcome or accepted if I make mistakes. I often feel my acceptance into the church community is contingent on fitting the mold other Christians are comfortable with.
White Christianity has been responsible for many injustices against minorities in this country and around the world. Man’s interpretation and manipulation of God has made following Him look like betrayal to those who don’t understand who He truly is. But I will not turn my back on the God who saves me every day. He is greater than the words being weaponized for so many atrocious things. The systematic oppression in this country is not God, but his name was unfortunately used to lay a lot of the ground work. I will continue to fight for people to see the real Him, because He is the God of love.
The racial injustices that have plagued our nation are a result of a systematic and systemic issue. I truly believe that Black Lives Matter getting a light in the world right now is God showing us he is not indifferent to our pain. Often Christians fall back on phrases like “Jesus died for all lives” and “there’s only one race, the human race.” Although these statements seem harmless, they’re further evidence of the resistance to true equality in this country. Jesus did die for all lives, but unfortunately not everyone lives their life following the principles of “all.” Phrases like “all men are created equal” and “with liberty and justice for all” were written with the assumption that “all” referred to all white people. Saying “Jesus died for all lives” undermines the advancements Black Lives Matter has strived for. God did create the human race, but He is not the one responsible for the racism minorities have encountered. He knew people would discriminate. It’s why He wrote bible verses like “Rescue the disadvantaged, and don’t tolerate oppression or violence against the immigrant, the orphan, and the widow” and “The Lord God upholds justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry, and sets the prisoner free, but He thwarts the way of the wicked.”
Written By: Jordyn Bradshaw
