Ethnocentrism and Prejudice

I'm not ashamed!  I'm told I should be because of the actions of my ancestors. However, I'm not.

According to  Karen R. Humes, Nicholas A. Jones, and Roberto R. Ramirez, ed. (March 2011). "Definition of Race Categories Used in the 2010 Census" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 3. Retrieved 17 May 2014"

In 2009, German Americans (16.7%), Irish Americans (11.8%), English Americans (9.0%) and Italian Americans (6.4%) were the four largest self-reported European ancestry groups in the United States forming 43.9% of the total population.

European Americans are not recognized as a group by the United States Census Bureau on their own, but are included in the category of "White". "White" is defined by the United States Census Bureau as "a person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa" 

It would appear that in 2009 America was less than half white. We no longer are the majority and the number has gotten considerably lower recently with the immigration from South and Central America. Likewise, if we examine the distribution, many within the "white" populations only appear to be white since many are of mixed ancestry. Therefore, around 40% of the nation is made up of people who actually have "entirely" white ancestry. The point being made is that America is far from a white nation and is getting less white each day. That's okay. Some of the mixed people are the most beautiful in the world!

However, we are of the various races because God made us that way. God made the nations different. We actually don't know why we're different, but there are many examples in the Bible where the separation of the races may have occurred. As with any of the acts of God we're not to question his authority. What God makes is meant to magnify him, but what man does with what God makes is a result of evil within our hearts. That being said  "being white" isn't bad. Being hateful because a group perceives themselves of being superior is bad!

"Race" is a method of categorizing humans. It's not just skin color, but is also cultural, genetic, geographical, historical, linguistic, social and religious characteristics. However, what  meets the eye is how the layman makes differences. Hence, societies seem to use anatomical differences to identify the races. That's painting a  false picture for we are much more than that!

Meghan Kelly recently said that Santa Claus and Jesus were white men. She was roundly criticized for being prejudiced. Let's first examine what prejudice means. The basic meaning of prejudice is "a subjective preconceived notion". Since, most of the time we see Santa and Jesus portrayed as "white" that's what we believe. However, once truth is examined, was Meghan demonstrating prejudice?

Bill O'Reilly quickly pointed out that Ms. Kelly was right about Santa. Saint Nicholas was a Greek who was born in what's now Turkey. Although he was of dark complexion (as portrayed in paintings), he fits the definition of "white" as defined above. Hence, Meghan Kelly was right about Santa Claus and was not prejudiced because the opinion was based on objective evidence. She was stating a fact, or most accurately, what scientists have defined as fact.

Her second statement was that Jesus was white. Jesus was a Jew. In biblical times other races hated Jews. That hate translated in later times into prejudice. Germanic people portrayed Jews as sub-human parasites because their anatomical characteristics were different than Germanic peoples. However, most Jews today have taken on characteristics of the societies in which they have assimilated. Whereas, we know that most people whose origins were of the Indus River Valley are "white" and are what later became European, that thought may not include all that are  "white". (Jerry Seinfeld is arguably the best known Jew and he's certainly "white" as most people define it).

From the Table of Nations, the origins of the people's of the world were from Noah's sons: Ham, Japheth and Shem. All those descended from Shem are Semites and includes Jews and Arabs. Japhethites are mostly of the line of those of Indus-European descent and includes Iranians and most Indians. Northern Africans are Cushites of the line of Ham. However, even within the line of Ham are "whites" as can be seen from the definition. Northern Africans are considered white. Likewise, popular classification places Jews squarely within the white race and any attempt to place them otherwise alludes to racism. Although Meghan may or may not have been "technically" right most people today consider Jews to be of the "white" race and if one looks again at the definition all that would separate them is religion! Jesus' religion wasn't Judaism! He was God born to a Jewish woman. He was the first "Christian" because he is Christ.

There is an early first century description of Jesus written by a church father. Jesus' anatomical description places his appearance into a category that most people would consider as "white". However, what "color" is Jesus? I mean beneath that human skin. He's without race in that he died for ALL mankind. He had to put on some type of skin and because the Jews were "his people" it was the Jewish skin (line of David) which he chose! However, Jesus never bragged about his race, but the Jews in their pride accurately portrayed him as "the son of David". Jews were very ethnocentric because God was with them and made a Covenant with them. Jews are God's chosen people and that's the truth whether anyone likes it or not! Someday they WILL accept Jesus as Savior!

That pride of which I speak isn't wrong. God made the nations. Our differences are because he made us different. However, being of a race, although is a reason for all races to have pride, if that pride is used for wrong, then it's hateful. The second definition of "prejudice" is "opinion which causes injury". If the intent is to harm another then it's wrong regardless of race. However, prejudiced is not defined as hate, but of course those who hate may be prejudiced. Ethnocentrism is not hateful although ethnocentric people may hate, just as skinny people, the beautiful or the muscular may hate. One sample is not representative of the entire population.

Ethnocentrism is, according to Wikipedia:

"...judging another culture solely by the values and standards of one's own culture. The ethnocentric individual will judge other groups relative to his or her own particular ethnic group or culture, especially with concern to language, behavior, customs, and religion."

The "short" definition is pride in what one is. I have pride. In order: I'm proud that I'm a Christian,  that I'm American,  I'm male, I'm tall, I'm thinner than most and that I'm Caucasian. However, I don't hate Jews, nor foreigners, nor women, nor short people nor heavy people. Neither do I hate non-whites! Love is not for just those who're just as I am, but I must love everyone and I do! Most of us would like for others to conform to our own standards (ethnocentrism), but we accept those who don't.  I never lived in that time, but I would have been vehemently against slavery of any group. Servitude, although not necessarily hateful, is not "loving others as you do yourself". That's a higher standard than just "not hating"!

Disliking a groups "culture" is not prejudiced. Most people hate Christian culture. Yes, we have our own. We have trouble tolerating the behavior for others and it too is perceived as prejudice!  We desire other people to believe in Christ, worship him, be righteous and for all men to go to heaven. That's our culture and if we believe that we're being obedient to God. We're not to condone sin, but reprove or rebuke sinners. That's perceived prejudice against the non-Christian and by the thinking of most, Christians are prejudiced. However, that doesn't fit the definition. We wish them no harm, but only good and that is not a pre-conceived notion. It's factual. Non-Christians are obviously different than the Christian, even by their own profession.

I have cultures which I dislike. It's not based on color, gender or even nationality. It's based on beliefs. The culture I hate the most is socialism and by ideology that includes Democrats. However, it's the thinking I don't like; not the person. Those people are what I consider deceived well-intentioned people. I just have trouble with what they believe because it causes harm to what I consider precious (ethnocentric) to me. Socialism is a threat to Christianity by their own admission and they have demonstrated their threat to the American Way and to the God on which the nation was founded. I see them as destructive to good! That's more than my prejudice, but seems to be what's actually happening!

It's okay and even great when people say "Black is Beautiful!" It's okay to love being a man! It's okay to be proud that I'm white, Christian, male or whatever. That pride just cannot be pursued to the extent of hate because we all know that pride can lead to hate! That type of pride is arrogancy and is hateful pride:

Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Some things are for certain;  pride is human nature and is god-given, but excessive pride is the trick of demons. It's great to be different than others, but to use it as a weapon to harm, is in fact prejudice.It's okay to be a Christian, but even a Christian must take care not to alienate others using scripture as a weapon to harm. Everything we do and say must be out of love, but to tolerate sin is destruction to the sinner. Love is the emotion to win souls, not hate. However, we must admonish others that rebellious behavior will be punished; that being a sign of courage and a tool to have saved those doomed!  To hate wrong is the way of the Lord and to love evil the way of rebellion.

Accusations of "prejudice" is a tool of socialism and is used demagogically  by Democrats. Hence, the prejudice and hate which I experience from socialism is why I'm fearful of them! "Fear" is not part of the definition of prejudice. When we disagree with cultures  "phobia" is added to the nature of the perceived "prejudice". So when people are accused of hate because they have fear (phobia) that's not truth. People may have a real fear of some things, but that doesn't translate into hate! In fact the "fear" which some are accused of having is strictly "disagreement". For instance, I don't hate homosexuals. Hence, I am not "homophobic". In fact I've never knew anyone who hates homosexuals. They either disagree with their opinion, think them a sinner in need of the Lord, or find their behavior abnormal.

All are entitled to their own opinion (which is hopefully based on actuality), but those who can't stand a differing opinion are the hateful ones; beyond prejudice. "Political Correctness" is the prime example of hate! Those who insist that truth must be hidden when even one is offended, then lies must be substituted.

2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

"Them" is "the unrighteous"; those who are not Christians. Since they fail to follow Jesus they will be subject to delusions. They will hate and condemn to make their damnation justifiable. Who are these people? Those who despise the teachings of Jesus, are not of The Kingdom of God. They follow the "Prince of the World".

"Political Correctness" (PC) is hateful. It's prescribing evil to what's not just to appease. By PC standards God is the most intolerant personality to ever exist. While he shows patience and grace, for those who reject it, they elect their own damnation. Man still believes himself to be wiser than God. Adam yet lives and is the propagator of PC! The accusation of "prejudice" where none exists is hateful because it's presented by those who hate.