Racism & Scripture
Religious Studies: KS3, topic 3.4.5
Racism and Scripture
The religious attitude to racism has changed over the years.
Racism
- Racism is the view one race is superior over another.
- This usually means that one race has fewer rights than another, and is sometimes enslaved.
- The religious attitude to racism has changed over the years.
- This is partly because the Bible is an old scripture, and society’s attitude to slavery has changed since it was written.
Racism and the Bible
- The first versions of the Bible were written nearly 3,000 years ago, when social attitudes were quite different.
- It was then very common for conquering nations to enslave other peoples.
- This led to the idea that some races were stronger or more intelligent than others.
- Some also thought that life in their 'superior' society had better morals or manners.
The Old Testament
- In the Old Testament, there are many examples of slavery.
- The Israelites were slaves in Egypt until Moses freed them.
- Later, the Israelites went on to enslave the Canaanites when they conquered the Promised Land.
- ‘When Israel grew strong they put the Canaanites to forced labour’ (Judges 1:28)
The New Testament
- In the New Testament, St Paul treats the issue of racial superiority directly.
- In his letter to Philemon, he said he should consider himself not as a bondservant but as a brother.
- This reflected the teaching that people of every race are one in Christ (Galatians 3:26-28).
- However, in Paul’s letters to the Ephesians and Colossians he tells slaves to obey their earthly masters with respect and fear (Colossians 3:22).
The Curse of Ham
- Ham was one of Noah’s sons, and in Genesis it says he was cursed by Noah.
- It is said that Africans are descendants of Ham, and that their skin colour is part of the curse.
- Commentators agree that the interpretation of the story is completely wrong, as there is no mention of race or skin colour in the story.
- However, some Christians, in particular in the Southern United States, have used this scripture to justify racism and slavery.
Test yourself on Racism & Scripture
Approximately how many years ago were the first books of the Bible written?
Who was Noah's son that was said to have been cursed in Genesis?