Biblical and church opinions on prejudice and discrimination

Biblical opinions

Christians believe that all humans are made in the image of God. Therefore any action that devalues a person is an insult to God who created and loves that person.

At the centre of the Christian faith is the belief that Jesus Christ shed his blood on the cross to atone for the sins of all people everywhere.

In John it states:

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

— John 3:16

The Bible teaches that it is important how other people are treated. Showing a positive attitude towards people from a variety of different races and faith backgrounds presents a challenge to Christians today, and an opportunity to follow the teaching and example of Jesus.

So God created human beings, making them to be like himself.

— Genesis 1:27

This reference teaches that as all human beings have been created in the image of God, everyone has the same worth and value. No one should be treated in a less favourable way because of factors such as race, gender or disability. For example:

So in everything you do, do to others what you would have them do to you.

— Matthew 7:12

Love your neighbour as yourself.

— Matthew 22:39

The teaching and example of Jesus shows that any kind of prejudice, racism, discrimination or simply treating people in an inferior way is not acceptable. Everyone is important to God and included in His plan of salvation, so people should not discriminate and treat others unfairly.

In his Letter to the Galatians Paul wrote:

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Therefore, everyone is equal in the eyes of God and should not be made to feel inferior because they may be different to someone else.

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Contemporary issues in Christianity - CCEABiblical and church opinions on prejudice and discrimination