Christianity & Interracial Marriages

This message was posted on another thread and I would like to respond to it...

The Challenge

To Christians who oppose equality in homosexuality and consider it an abomination in the eyes of God.

Please enlighten us with your views towards herterosexual interracial marriages? As Christians if you have participated in this thread, you must respond, and you must respond truthfully in the eyes of God.

It is your oath to God as Christians and if you ignore the question you will have to face the repercussions in the afterlife.

I am a Christian and I am white. My wife is an African-American. So, I believe that my views on interracial marriage, Christian or not, is self explanatory.

There is not a verse in the Bible that tells us that we are not to marry with other races. There is a verse that says that the Jews are not to marry non-Jews. I am not a Jew, therefore, I am not bound by that verse. The Bible also speaks of a non-Christian and a Christian in marriage. It says that they are not bound by God to stay together, but if the non-Christian is alright with the Christian half of the marriage, then they should stay together.

Nothing about race. Not a word.

So, believe me when I say that I have never met a Christian that tried to claim that interracial marriages were a sin or anything that would go against God's word. I am sure that there are alot of Christians out there that personally believe that it should not happen, but that is between them and God.

In truth, I was not only offended by the idea that God would oppose it, I was offended by the threat that we would face judgement for not responding to the query, as if to imply that all Christians believe "deep down" that interracial marriages are against God and all the poster needed was to get some of us to admit it.

AMy wife and I are happily married and we work to keep it that way. As we are both Christians, we will definitely be reunited in Heaven, where we will be accepted by all. I have seen this posted all around this site and in many posts and I believe that it applies here...

Deny Ignorance.

i was once a christian and i wonder also other than god not telling that it is wrong to marry anyone of different races where is it totally said that homosexuals are wrong tell me that

There's actually one race--the human race.

I'm against the attitude some black males *seem* to have, that they have to have a white woman for bragging rights. It's the attitude, not so much the interracial part.

If it's for love, go for it. If it's for bragging rights, you need an attitude adjustment.

i like girls, i dont care what the color

Actually the only thing that the Bible really says to my knowledge on the subject is that you are not supposed to be unequally yoked. This is relation to beliefs though, not race.
King Solomon was married to an Ethiopian Princess, so I don’t believe that inter-racial marriage is in anyway against Christian or Hebrew Belief.
Ruth was also a Goium or Gentile that was married to a Hebrew.


edit to add:

Pornanist
Homosexuality is mentioned MANY times in the bible, and it is specifically stated as not being accepted. If nothing else it falls under fornication and committing adultery.

[edit on 1/10/2005 by defcon5]

Wasn't Moses' wife Zipporah of a different race?

I agree, the "unequally yoked" is different beliefs, a believer married to an unbeliever. That means a believer marrying an unbeliever, that doesn't refer to two unbelievers who marry and one of them becomes a believer. In that case, if the unbeliever is satisfied to remain married to the believer, let them remain married. If the unbeliever wants to leave, let them.

I'm not 100% white myself. I'm part Cherokee. Which means my son is.

Jerrbert, where is the story in the bible that talks of a non-Christian and Christian relationship? I am currently going through something quite like that right now, and I would like to use the bible, as it will be the only thing they(youth group leaders) will believe. Thanks for your help.

And the interracial part...well, I'm not really Christian, but I am all for it!

Originally posted by pao i like girls, i dont care what the color

i second that!

i dont think its against christianity. My beliefs are changing with time and an open mind though.. I used to be Racist. NOw I strive to see the person, not the skin or religion. If god didnt want us to co mingle, he would have made it impossible for procreation to be achieved with a mixed race couple. Or possibly he would have created different worlds for teh different races. I think that being actively gay is wrong, but, it is a choice for the individual. I think things are the way they are to test us to see if we will be the better person and still love those different from us, no matter what we each believe. I will not judge the person, or force my views on them. If my beliefs are right, then they will learn after they are judged by god, if i am wrong, then, at least i did my best to not judge.

Anti-miscegenation has nothing to do with The Bible, for any faith, it is strictly a prejudicial point of view adopted by individuals. Having said that however, for the Jews it is important that the female follows the Hebrew faith, and likewise for Christians, particularly Catholics that both parties be Catholics. Is it possible the quote you reference was trying to show the similarity between the two prejudices?

Kompaktor,chrisnolefan
II Corinthians 6:14-18
Be ye not unequlaay yoaked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial?or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for yeare the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them,and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from amoung them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will recieve you
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty

Originally posted by Kompaktor
Jerrbert, where is the story in the bible that talks of a non-Christian and Christian relationship? I am currently going through something quite like that right now, and I would like to use the bible, as it will be the only thing they(youth group leaders) will believe. Thanks for your help.

And the interracial part...well, I'm not really Christian, but I am all for it!

Kompaktor, the verse about not being unequally yoked is in 2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 6:14
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship harh righteousness with unrighteousness and what communion hath light with darkness?

The word picture that Paul was using here was the idea of two mismatched oxen yoked together. They would not work together well and one would end up leading the other instead of both working together.

The other part of this equation comes from 1 Corinthians where Paul is talking to those who are married...

1 Corinthians 7:12-16
But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: if any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman who has a husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife and the unbelieving wifeis sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean, but now they are holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let them depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

So, one speaks to those who are married and one speaks to those who are not. I hope this helps.

excellent topic. and boy do i have an opinion on this one.

i am a white southern female from the heart of the BIBLE BELT......the area i grew up in is the BUCKLE of the belt. home to a baptist or church of god building on practically every corner.

i grew up in the baptist church. i was repeatedly told growing up that it WAS a sin to inter-marry. that blacks (i use blacks in this statement because i grew up in the 60's and 70's in the south and there were not that many other races here at that time) and whites didn't marry it was "wrong in the eyes of god".

so i grew up prejudiced......i never questioned what i was taught in church or by my family.

as i reached my 20's and started stepping back from the church and opening my eyes and listening and learning.......i realized that i was taught a racial lie.

i married an italian catholic and my family almost had a STROKE.

i raised my own daughter to blur the racial line..........it wasn't important. the insides were.......

my daughter has gifted me with 2 grand daughters...........both of what you would call a mixed lineage. their dad is 1/2 portugeuse and 1/2 black.....my daughter is 1/2 italian and 1/2 white/mixed mutt

my family is STILL not over the relationship and can't acknowledge john when he's around. he isn't invited to family functions........they didn't go to the hospital for the births of their FIRST great grandchildren.......

it breaks my heart that they could be so very cold toward these innocent babies.

for the record my family (dad,mom,stepmom,stepdad,2brothers,1 sister and their families) these folks are ALL BIBLE THUMPING BAPTISTS..........they are there every time the doors of church are open. and their hearts are black as coal when it comes to race relations..........and hipocracy.

i'm grateful that i have realized that GOD didn't intend for man to pervert his words...........that we are ALL equal..........that this racial BS is of man and not of GOD.

i just wish my family could get with the program and stop hurting my daughter.

makes me FURIOUS.

as far as my EX's family (the italian catholics) they have been very open to john..........because when THEY moved down south from NEW YORK they were subjected to much prejudice themselves and are acutely aware of how it feels to be discriminated against.

geesh what a mess.................

but as far as i'm concerned..............if 2 people of different races love each other and want to marry..........then so be it.

and for the record............ALL southerners are NOT prejudiced. ALL southerners are NOT close-minded red necks.

i just wanted to clarify that before someone took off on a southern racist bigots,redneck rant...............

angie

Jerrbert, you are absolutely right. It is a question of faith and not colour. The jerk who posted that offending statement is clearly a KKK member or a wanna be and is so insecure with his own colour and self that he has to try to warp the word of God to make him feel better about his little member.

So Jerrbert, do you think about the one in first corinthians could be used to hopefully persuade her youth group leaders to leave us alone? Seeing as how it has to do with marriage, and we are just dating? I hope it will. If I believed in a god, it would be a godsend. Thanks again.

Jerrbert, is your wife African or American? Tell her to pick a country. As far as you, why did you not list what nations to which you hold dual citizenship?

One of these days my pet peeves are gonna give me a stroke!

Anyway, as a long time Christian, I feel I can handle these very easy questions with the proper tact, grace and finesse they deserve-----WHAT A MORONIC QUESTION!!!!!

There. How'd I do?

Nowhere in the Bible does it even remotely suggest that it is a sin for a people of different skin colors to marry.
Now, God does make it clear that a believer has no business with a non-believer, but even then, if you marry a non-believer you should stay with that person as it "sanctifies" that person and your children.

I'll never understand people's hangups with the color of skin. Well, except for me. If I don't pay partucular attention to my own in the summertime I run the risk of frying like bacon in milleseconds. Who am I kidding, it doesn't have to be the summertime. As a matter of fact, a picture of the sun poses a cancer risk to me!

Oops, I see all the bases were covered. Sorry for not reading the entire thread before launching.
Except, the hypenated American thing needed to be said, again and again and again until people learn it's unnecessary and quite ok to just be "American".

Originally posted by Amethyst
I'm against the attitude some black males *seem* to have, that they have to have a white woman for bragging rights. It's the attitude, not so much the interracial part.

If it's for love, go for it. If it's for bragging rights, you need an attitude adjustment.

I think you misread the authors opening line. He considers his wife to be 'African-American', not the other way around.

Originally posted by Thomas Crowne
Jerrbert, is your wife African or American? Tell her to pick a country. As far as you, why did you not list what nations to which you hold dual citizenship?

All right, all right. I give!

I used the phrase 'african-american' because I am uncomfortable calling my wife (or any others) 'black', 'colored' or the ever unpopular 'n-word.' I needed to use a descriptor for the purpose to make my post clear. I usually refer to my wife by her first name or just, 'my wife.'

As for me...

who knows?

yeah, im a christian and i do not see anything wrong with interracial marriages. We all come from the same creator so what does it matter. God loves all men and women no matter what skin color they are. What is sinful to me are the ones who hate the couples who are interracial. The ones that find love outside of their race i say more power to you!