Interracial marriage
Interracial marriage occurs when two distinct human races become married. Countless heated debates and arguments rise when this particular subject is brought up. This issue stems from racism because the two are closely related. Racism is a discrimination against all other races except for the preferred one. It's appalling to know that it's a topic that has entered churches as well. If it be local or worldwide, churches have preached against interracial marriage, claiming the Bible prohibits this also. But in light of its background, scientific processing, and in the Bible, interracial marriage is wrongly mistaken as a tool supporting racism. [1] Creationists like Ken Ham, founder and supporter of Answers in Genesis, have been shedding light on the subject of racial profiling and interracial marriage. Ken Ham is a creationist who has done many discussions, seminars and writings over racism and other various issues. He has currently written a book, together with Charles Ware, entitled Darwin's Plantation: Evolution's Racist Roots about races and interracial marriage from the creationist view and how it was wrongly identified by Darwin. [2]
History
Throughout the history of our world, the dispute over interracial marriage is brought up in a number of events. Many theories such as Darwinism and eugenics have been catalysts for other ideas which vehemently stand against it. Before Darwinism became known, racism was just beginning to gather new information to credit their argument. Racism has always existed even prior to the start of evolution. The Bible was used somewhat to point out a few examples where God prohibits races intermixing, but overlooking the situation, it was more of a hindrance than a resource. Thus, when racism was brought to attention, the Bible's teachings immediately left the room.[3]
The one place where racism was critically rejected was in the church. Back then, the church hadn't separated yet and in unison condemned the very idea of racism. They saw no problem with intermixing because we all came from Adam; therefore we are all of one blood. A man named Isaac de la Peyrère proposed a new theory called polygenesis which is the idea that in the beginning of creation there was more than one couple. This is due to the fact that people couldn't believe we all derive from the same couple. There are so many differences that separate us and give us cause to doubt the Bible's account of our existence. Evolutionary thinkers like Darwin and even Hitler utilized racism to jump start their own goals.[4]
One major event that provided a more accurate argument over racism is eugenics. Eugenics is the intervention of selective breeding in a population. This way of thinking stemmed from the opposing side of interracial marriage. This idea prevented races mixing because many believed that the offspring would become weak and unhealthy. Hitler was a firm believer in this and even instilled in Germans the need to improve their future generations. They believed that a utopia waited for those who were of a purer lineage.[5]
Eugenics fed racism in many countries especially America since there were so many immigrants coming into the country. White people looked to it as a way to preserve their bloodline. Laws were put into action for fear that mixed races would occur. Interracial marriage went against the law. Anti-miscegenation was a main reason for this. It is going against the intermixing of a couple from different races. [6] Eugenics soon became a failed philosophy as modern science continued to expand. We find that there is an impossible number genes to calculate and figure out, thus placing eugenics as a disgraceful attempt to limit the number of breeding within a population. [7]
Biblical view
What does the Bible really say about interracial marriage? This is a question that has everybody choosing sides. Different people from different races all answer in a variety of ways. The definition for 'race' changed drastically when Darwin advised the world on how unique races are. His theories are based on a racist foundation. Racism was given enough fuel to mock other cultures. In our society we harbor prejudices in our thinking towards other races, whether we like to or not. We have been conditioned in that fashion mainly due to evolutionary ideas and the media. But if viewed from a scientific perspective, there is no such thing as different races; we are all part of the same race, Homo sapiens. We only use the term 'race' as a way of categorizing people into more general groups.[8]
According to the Bible, in Acts 17:26 all people are of one blood. The human race is a group of the descendants of Adam, meaning that we are all related. Even though the Word of God says this, there are obvious differences among the many populations of the world. In appearance, there are singular colors of skin, hair, eyes, etc. Though looks can quickly become deceiving. There is more genetic similarity between one person from one race and someone from another than there is between two people of the same racial group. What the world sees as racial differences is in fact only cultural differences. In-depth science answer that there isn't such a thing as 'interracial marriage.' So does God really forbid any form of marriage to any interracial couple?.[9]
In the beginning of races, the Tower of Babel started it all. In their defiance towards God, they were given different languages and were sent to different parts of the world. Cultural and racial differences followed right after this event happened. These are the cause for our diverse characteristics in today's present time. God allowed this to happen because of the people's resistance to Him. Because of their disobedience, He scattered them throughout the earth.[10]
God, our Lord, is King over all. He controls every person and takes care of us all. To Him, we are all one thing: His children. As His children, we marry and multiply under His good grace. But the one thing He advises strongly against is marrying someone of a different faith. In II Corinthians 6:14, it says that we must not be "unequally yoked." Therefore, it doesn't matter to God if we come from different backgrounds; to Him he cares more about our faith than our skin color.[11]
References
- Adam's Brothers? Race, Science, and Genesis Before Darwin Lael Weinberger.
- Eugenics: United States Lycos Retriever, built 271 days ago.
- Eugenic Laws Against race Mixing Paul Lombardo.
- Interracial Marriage: Is It Biblical? by Ken Ham. Creation 21(3):22–25. June 1999
External links
- Darwin's Plantation: Evolution's Racist Roots by Ken Ham & Charles Ware. Masterbooks.
