Christianity & Racial Harmony (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)

Christian teachings about racial harmony

What is racial harmony?

• Racial harmony refers to a society or community where people of different races and ethnic backgrounds live together peacefully, treating each other with respect, equality, and understanding

• It is about fostering relationships that overcome racial divisions and celebrate cultural diversity

• Racial harmony means that everyone, regardless of their race or ethnicity, is treated equally and with respect

  • People should not be judged or discriminated against because of their race

• In a society with racial harmony, people celebrate each other’s differences, such as cultural traditions, beliefs, and values

• Racial harmony contributes to peace in society, where people from diverse racial backgrounds work together in cooperation

  • This leads to a more united, stable, and thriving community

• In a racially harmonious society, diversity is celebrated rather than feared

  • People from different races can share their cultural traditions, food, music, and customs, enriching the community

What does Christianity teach about racial harmony?

• Christianity teaches that racial harmony is important because all people are equal in the eyes of God, regardless of their race or ethnicity

• The Bible encourages Christians to love and respect all people, promoting peace and unity among different racial and cultural groups

  • Galatians 3:28 says, ‘There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus’

    • This verse emphasises that everyone is equal in the eyes of God, no matter their race, social status, or gender

  • Christians believe that racial differences should not divide people but should be celebrated as part of God’s creation

  • God made all people, and everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect

• Jesus taught the Golden Rule: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ (Matthew 22:39)

  • This means Christians are called to love and care for everyone, regardless of their race or background

  • The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) teaches that people should help and show kindness to others, even if they are from a different race or culture

    • In the story, Jesus shows that love and compassion should extend beyond racial or cultural boundaries

• Christianity teaches the importance of reconciliation and peace

  • Christians are encouraged to work towards healing divisions between different racial and cultural groups

  • The apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:18 that God ‘reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation’ meaning Christians are called to bring about peace and unity in society

  • Christians believe that Jesus came to break down the barriers that divide people, including racial and cultural differences, and to bring people together in harmony

• Christianity strongly opposes prejudice (pre-judging people based on their race) and discrimination (treating people unfairly based on their race)

  • In the Bible, there are many teachings against showing favouritism

    • James 2:9 warns, ‘But if you show favouritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers’

  • Christians are taught to reject all forms of racism and discrimination and to treat everyone fairly and equally

• Jesus’ life and teachings serve as the ultimate example of racial harmony

  • He showed love and compassion for people from all walks of life, including those from different races and backgrounds

  • Jesus reached out to people who were often rejected by society, such as Samaritans (who were disliked by Jews) and tax collectors, showing that love and acceptance should be extended to everyone

Work of Christians to achieve racial harmony

What work do Christians do to achieve racial harmony?

• Christians believe in promoting racial harmony because of their teachings about equality, love, and justice

• Many Christians have actively worked to fight racism and discrimination to create a more peaceful and inclusive society

• Many Christians have been at the forefront of the civil rights movement, working to end racial segregation and fight for equality

  • Famous Christian figures like Martin Luther King Jr. played a key role in the struggle for racial justice in the United States

    • His Christian faith inspired him to lead nonviolent protests and advocate for racial equality

  • Desmond Tutu’s work to achieve racial harmony in South Africa was rooted in his Christian beliefs and his commitment to justice, peace, and equality

    • Through his leadership in opposing apartheid, his role in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and his support for non-violent protest and human rights, Tutu made a significant impact in the fight for racial harmony in South Africa and around the world

  • Churches and Christian organisations often speak out against racial injustice, discrimination, and hate crimes, supporting human rights for all people

• Many Christian denominations, including the Church of England, the Roman Catholic Church, and other Christian groups, have spoken out about the importance of racial equality

  • Christian churches often run community programs to bring people of different races together and promote understanding and cooperation 

    • For example, some churches organise interfaith dialogues, social justice initiatives, and anti-racism campaigns to encourage racial harmony in society

• Christians believe that prejudice and discrimination are against God's will because they go against the teachings of love, kindness, and equality

  • Many Christian organisations have worked to challenge racism by raising awareness about the harmful effects of racial prejudice and by offering education about the value of diversity

  • They advocate for equal rights and work to eliminate discriminatory practices

• Christians believe that working for racial harmony is part of their responsibility to create a society based on justice and peace

  • By working for racial equality, they follow Jesus' commandment to love one another and to treat all people fairly

  • Christian teachings on unity (e.g., ‘We are all one in Christ Jesus’) motivate believers to support initiatives that promote peaceful coexistence among people of different races

Benefits for Christians of a multi-ethnic society

What benefits are there for Christians of a multi-ethnic society?

• A multi-ethnic society is one where people from different ethnic backgrounds and cultures live together

• For Christians, there are several benefits of living in such a society, based on their teachings of equality, love, and respect for all people

• Christianity teaches that Christians should love their neighbours, regardless of their ethnicity or background

  • The Golden Rule calls Christians to show kindness and respect to everyone

• In a multi-ethnic society, Christians have the opportunity to put this teaching into practice by interacting with people from different cultures and building friendships based on mutual respect

• Christianity teaches that all people are equal in the eyes of God, as stated in Galatians 3:28, ‘There is neither Jew nor Greek... for you are all one in Christ Jesus’ 

  • Christians believe that racial and cultural differences should not divide people but should be embraced in the spirit of unity

  • In a multi-ethnic society, Christians can work towards promoting peace, cooperation, and understanding between different ethnic groups, which is in line with their Christian values

• Christianity teaches that God created all people, and each person, regardless of their ethnic background, is made in God's image (Genesis 1:27)

  • A multi-ethnic society allows Christians to appreciate and celebrate the diversity of God’s creation

  • Christians can learn from the customs, traditions, and cultures of others, enriching their own lives and broadening their understanding of God's work in the world

• In a multi-ethnic society, Christians encounter people from different religious and cultural backgrounds, giving them the opportunity to share the Christian message of love, hope, and salvation

  • Christians believe it is their mission to spread the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19), and living in a multi-ethnic society provides them with the chance to engage in cross-cultural dialogue and evangelism

• Christians believe in promoting social justice and standing up for the oppressed

  • In a multi-ethnic society, Christians can actively work towards addressing issues such as racial inequality, discrimination, and social exclusion

  • Christian organisations and churches often promote equality and fight against racism and prejudice, contributing to a more just and inclusive society

• Christianity encourages hospitality and inclusion

  • Jesus taught his followers to welcome strangers and treat them as family (Matthew 25:35-40)

• In a multi-ethnic society, Christians can reflect these values by embracing people from all backgrounds, providing support to immigrants or refugees, and creating welcoming communities

• A multi-ethnic society often includes people from different faiths and belief systems

  • Christians can engage in interfaith dialogue, building mutual respect and understanding with people of other religions

    • This can promote peace, reduce misunderstanding, and foster cooperation

    • These conversations also allow Christians to share their faith, learn from others, and contribute to a more harmonious society