Been a while since my last post. Bad news is I haven't really thought of anything good to write. Good news: I've decided to reprise one of my better notes from Facebook. Many of my friends know me as one who is vehemently opposed to racism of all forms. I can refute it scripturally, and I probably will sometime in the future. This note is more focused on refuting racism against one specific group of people. While it was written during the conflict in the Gaza Strip back in the start of '09, it has equal relevance in principle today. Enjoy!WARNING: DUE TO THE SENSITIVE NATURE OF THE SUBJECT MATTER IN QUESTION, THIS NOTE MAY SHOCK, ANNOY OR ANGER SOME READERS. LET IT BE KNOWN THAT ANY SHOCK, ANNOYANCE, OR ANGER CAUSED BY THE AUTHOR WAS COMPLETELY UNINTENTIONAL AND THE CONTENT IN THIS NOTE IS MERELY TO POINT SOMETHING OUT.
It's amazing how one small group can etch an image of an entire nation or ethnic group in people's heads. In the mentality of many in America, Hispanics are illegal immigrants, blacks are thugs, Asians are either geniuses or stupid, and Arabs are bloodthirsty terrorists hell-bent on the destruction of Israel and the Western world. I'm sure you will agree that all four stereotypes are bunk.
However, I've seen much more common usage of the fourth stereotype nowadays than any other, especially among Christians when referring to what is known as either Palestine or West Bank and Gaza Strip. Often the word "Palestinian" when spoken aloud is met with reactions ranging from indifference to outright condemnation. In contrast, you hear “Israel” and almost imagine Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” playing in the background.
Today a conflict continues to rage after Israel recently responded to Hamas' rockets with a large ground assault on Gaza. The current death toll when last I checked was at least thirteen Israelis and over eleven hundred Palestinians. While death is a part of war, the losses from both sides are still sad indeed. However, there is an irony that I have noticed among my fellow Christians. Several in America cry foul even when a Qassam rocket hits Israeli soil without harming anyone, yet they cheer when an IDF missile kills in one blow several Arabs who might not have even been attempting to fight.
Now before people start getting up in arms, let me clarify. I am well aware of Hamas's prior aggression. I know that some of their operatives hide among normal citizens in an attempt to make Israel look worse whenever a missile misses by thirty feet. However, I think it is wrong to condemn the entire Palestinian people for the actions of a few. Is all of California guilty of sodomy because they have homosexuals? Is everybody in Kentucky incestuous because of a little inbreeding in a small part of the state? Of course not! Likewise, the Palestinian people aren't all guilty of terrorism just because some people in a militant political party launch explosives into the territory of "God's chosen people" (more on this later). But what do we do? We act like even the very term "Christian Palestinian" is an oxymoron (yes, I have encountered God-fearing adults from my hometown who acted shocked at there being Christian Palestinians at Lee).
We fall into the same trap with Israel. We exalt the Jews as God's chosen people, which is a fact for the most part. God DID choose the Jewish people as a people set apart for Him from the other tribes living around them in the Old Testament. He also chose them (more specifically the tribe of Judah) as the line by which Jesus would come into the world. Many also exalt Israel because that general region is where Jesus walked and ministered. However, today Israel is estimated to be the nineteenth most atheistic and agnostic country in the world. In addition, the Israel Democracy Institute has stated that only 65% of JEWS there even believe in God. Just because it’s “the Holy Land” doesn’t mean that everything in it is holy and awesome. A great many of the population are far from the “holy” stereotype that we Americans seem to implicitly give the country. And we know that if people don’t make Jesus their Lord and repent of their sins… well, you know. Anyway, the Christian percentages might surprise you: only 2.1% (around 150,000) of the Israeli population is Christian, and 80% of that amount is... Arab! Are not the Christians God’s people?
In contrast, there are about 10,400 Christians in the Gaza Strip and 187,600 in the West Bank. Do the math. We Christians have more brethren in Christ among the Palestinians we speak out against than among the Israelis we exalt.
Like I mentioned earlier, why are people so thrown back at the term "Christian Palestinian"? Are Arabs any less able to receive God's grace than we?
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. - John 3:16
And we should not discount our brethren in Christ for their nationality.
You are all sons of God through Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. - Galatians 3:26-29
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10: 12-13
Something to think about, isn't it? Then there are the hundreds of thousands of innocents in the Gaza Strip who aren't even actively participating in the conflict, those who are merely seeking safety from the fighting. Many have died already, most of whom were likely unsaved. And the West Bank isn’t even involved in the fighting; Hamas has been acting outside of the Palestinian National Authority for the past couple of years.
Basically, what I'm trying to say is that, just like most stereotyped groups, the majority of the Palestinians don’t fit their stereotype. It is the aggression of one faction that portrays the violent image, and we should not condemn an entire people group just because of that one faction. As for those not involved in the current conflict, we can pray for their safety and protection. And if you’re still one who is majorly against the Palestinians, did not Jesus say to love and pray for your enemies?
In conclusion, we should:
- Pray that any crimes committed on either side will be swiftly punished.
- Pray that any innocent civilian deaths will be kept to a minimum.
- Pray especially for the well-being of our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Christ, since their people are taking the brunt of the casualties.
We promote praying for Israel. Ever consider that some Palestinians might need prayer, too?
Salaam and shalom to you all.
- Written January 17, 2009
