Grade 12
Unit 5
HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY 1205
THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS GOVERNMENT
CONTENTS
I. GOVERNMENT, DISCRIMINATION, AMERICAN
SOCIETY....................................................................... 2
The Christian and American Government...........
2
Discrimination and the Christian ..........................
7
Christian Attitudes in American Society ............. 14
II. “OPINION AND TRUTH” IN POLITICS ................ 22
Christians and Public Opinion Polls ..................... 22
The Media and the Truth ......................................... 27
III. POLITICS AND PROPAGANDA .............................. 34
Can I Get Involved In Politics................................. 34
The Good and Bad of Propaganda ......................... 38
Project: The Christian and His Government ...... 46
Author:
Editor:
Illustrations:
Brad Zockoll
Brian Ring
Alpha Omega Staff
804 N. 2nd Ave. E., Rock Rapids, IA 51246-1759
© MM by Alpha Omega Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.
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HISTORY 1205
THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS GOVERNMENT
Each American is responsible to stand up for what is right, whether against a bad law or for a moral
cause. Each individual counts. As Everett Hale said, “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything,
but I can do something. What I can do, I should do and, with the help of God, I will do!” Each Christian
should also do the right thing when it comes to protecting freedoms which enable us to worship the Lord
in the way we know is right.
OBJECTIVES
Read these objectives. The objectives tell you what you should be able to do when you have successfully completed this LIFEPAC®.
When you have finished this LIFEPAC, you should be able to:
1.
Explain some ways the government works for and against the Christian.
2.
Explain the term “discrimination,” and how different groups have been and are being affected
by it.
3.
Explain how Christian attitudes should be in American society.
4.
Explain the workings and effects of public opinion polls.
5.
Explain the power and influence of the media in regards to the truth.
6.
Explain the considerations in getting involved in politics.
7.
Explain propaganda and how it is used.
Survey the LIFEPAC. Ask yourself some questions about this study. Write your questions here.
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1
I. GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT WITH CHRISTIAN LIFE
“The true test of character is not how much we know how to do,
but how we behave when we don’t know what to do.”
-John Holt
SECTION OBJECTIVES
Review these objectives. When you have completed this section, you should be able to:
1.
Explain some ways the government works for and against the Christian.
2.
Explain the term “discrimination”, and how different groups have and are being affected by it.
3.
Explain how Christian attitudes should be in American society.
VOCABULARY
Study these words to enhance your learning success in this section.
American Civil
Liberties Union
Non-profit organization works to defend “freedom of
expression...and equal protection....”
constitutional
rights
Freedoms and opportunities granted and given to the citizens of
the United States
First Amendment
Congress shall not make a law to establish a religion or prohibit
free worship
invocation
A prayer; usually given at the opening of a meeting or event
multi-cultural
Having diverse human thinking, beliefs, and backgrounds within a
society
neutral
Belonging to neither side; uninvolved
overturned
Reversed; changed the outcome
parochial
Being backed by a church or parish; having to do with the church
ruling
A decision handed down from the court
Protestant
Reformation
Movement in 1500s which resulted in “church-schools” and the
education of the common man
secularize
To make more humanistic and take away the religious aspect of
something
Note:
All vocabulary words in this LIFEPAC appear in boldface print the first time they are used. If you are unsure of the meaning when you
are reading, study the definitions given.
THE CHRISTIAN AND AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
The authorities were adamant: there will be no nativity scene at the town hall this
Christmas! Practically every year some town in America is involved with a holiday controversy such as this. Though some Christians argue that we are losing our biblical
Christian roots, others feel that in all fairness we should respect a “multi-cultural”
nation whose religions should all be represented. Who is right? We hear of our “constitutional rights” –what does that mean to the Christian?
2
The First Amendment to the Constitution tells of the
government’s involvement in religion—or lack thereof. It
states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment
of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof....” The third
section of Article VI of the original Constitution also provides
that “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to
any office or public trust under the United States.” It sounds like
Christians have freedom of religion, clear of any problems from
the American government. What is “freedom of religion?”
Freedom of religion, as defined in the First Amendment, is twofold. First, the government is forbidden to establish a religion, either directly or indirectly.
People are referring to this fact when you hear them use the phrase “separation of church
and state.” Second, the government is forbidden to interfere with or regulate religion.
The government helps Christians in many ways. Obviously, there are important
ways that the American government involves itself in the Christian’s life. As you drive
down the interstate highway, you know that the government is responsible for the creation
and maintenance of the highway system in our country. As you finish your checkup with
the dentist or doctor, you can know that the licensing approval for the professional to start
his practice came from governmental authorities. The building code for your home, the mail
that comes to your house, and even the amount of gas that goes into your family car are
carefully guarded and regulated by the government. These are good and honorable ways
that the government is involved in our everyday lives. Christians are thankful for the protection of the police and fire departments that are at the ready to assure our safety every
hour of every day.
When does government involvement become a concern for Christians? We
should be aware that, as Bible-believing Christians, honoring our God is sometimes viewed
by others as being in conflict with the American way of life. One of the great issues of
Christian beliefs and state involvement came in the mid-1990s in the situation surrounding Alabama Judge Roy Moore and his desire to continue posting a copy of the Ten
Commandments in his Etowah County courtroom. A court case arose concerning his Ten
Commandments plaques and his insistence in beginning the daily court proceedings with
a religious invocation. The state supreme court agreed with Judge Roy Moore’s beliefs
that the display of the Ten Commandments reminds us of the Christian roots which were
necessary in the creation of this nation. The high court’s ruling, much to the surprise of
many people, permitted Moore to continue posting the Ten Commandments and opening
his court sessions with a prayer.
The Alabama Ten Commandments ruling was bitterly fought by the American Civil
Liberties Union and the Alabama Freethought Association. Those groups had sued State
Chief Justice Perry Hooper to use his authority to order a stop to Judge Moore’s courtroom
religious displays. The high court, however, did not agree, saying that even though the
Chief Justice Hooper is indeed the administrative head of the court system, he does not
have the specific authority to stop Judge Moore’s courtroom from displaying the Ten
Commandments and prayer which opens the court sessions. The ruling overturned a previous lower court ruling of 1997 that claimed that Judge Moore’s practices were unconstitutional, and said that the Ten Commandments could remain in the courtroom only if other
historical documents were added in order to “secularize” the display. As a nation whose
roots are steeped in Christianity, a serious and severe question arises: does the state have
any right to take away the Ten Commandments display, or any other biblical display, for
that matter?
History shows us coordination of church and state. The Protestant
Reformation, which occurred in the 1500s in northern Europe, encouraged fresh studies
of the Bible and education for all persons rather than a chosen few nobles. Schools, called
parochial schools, were established in the parishes to teach reading, writing, arithmetic,
3
and religion. They were taught by the ministers of the churches and were partially supported by state funding. The practice of state and church working together to support
schools was the beginning of public education. This practice was carried over into colonial
America. The children of the colonies were widely scattered, so the only way to reach all the
children was to create public schools and to pass laws requiring children to attend.
Massachusetts passed the first compulsory attendance law in 1852, other states soon followed with similar action, and support for the schools was achieved through taxation.
Gradually, governments passed laws regulating the studies
to be taught, the length of the school term, the kinds of
schoolhouses to be built, and other related matters. Through
the years, the state assumed greater degrees of control over
education in America, to the extent of distorting some original purposes of democratic education.
The “establishment of religion” clause of the First
Amendment came into question in 1947. The controversy concerned the use of public funds for pupil transportation
in parochial schools. By a five-to-four vote, the Supreme
Court ruled such aid improper, as Judge Hugo Black asserted, “No tax in any amount, large or small, can be levied to
support any religious activities or institutions, whatever
they may be called, or whatever form they may adopt to teach
or practice religion.”
Judge Hugo Black
Another Supreme Court ruling which further separated church and state
occurred in 1962. It had long been customary in many public schools to offer morning
prayers or to read passages from the Bible. This practice was exercised on every possible
basis, ranging from wholly voluntary action by individual teachers to a uniform requirement
prescribed by state authorities. For years the Supreme Court avoided a direct decision on
the constitutionality of these practices, but in 1962 action was taken after atheist Madelyn
Murray O’Hare required her son Bill to refuse to be involved in the morning school prayer.
After a volatile court case, the justices invalidated a school prayer requirement and any
requirement in public schools of Bible reading or recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, regrettably
stating, “In the relationship between men and religion, the State is firmly committed to a
position of neutrality.” Although the “neutrality” rulings succeeded in banning public funds for parochial school use and
banning prayer and Bible reading from public schools,
Supreme Court rulings have generally remained neutral.
So what Christian freedoms are allowed in this
republic? After all, we are not in a theocracy which would
honor God as our leader. The controversy continues as the
courts bow to “public policy” and the will of current public
opinion. In effect, we have the freedom to worship in our
church assemblies, but there is a question as to how far we can take our right to worship
“outside of the church.” There is constant attention paid to removing the name of God from
our American currency. There have been people who would want to see “one nation under
God” removed from the Pledge of Allegiance. Some other legislation which may open the
door to freedoms in one area may be hurtful in another area. For example, legislation
designed to curb obscenity and to protect the public from the harmful effects of lurid publications dealing with crime and bloodshed remains flexible in order to comply with “contemporary community standards.” Unfortunately, such leniency as this has provided open
doors to liberalized secular school systems adopting text materials which encourage a progressive breakdown of social morality, leaving students uncertain of distinctions between
right and wrong. The balance seems unsteady at times, and the Christian must guard his
freedoms of worship to God.
4
Complete the following activity by placing a g for good or a b for bad in the blank
space.
1.1
Government Involvement in the lives of Citizens
_____ a. licensing of doctors
_____ e. driver’s license
_____ b. quality control
of food
_____ f.
_____ c.
_____ g. voluntary prayer not
allowed in public schools
no Nativity display
on public property
_____ d. Bibles not allowed
in school library
highway maintenance
_____ h. remove 10 Commandments
from Judge Moore’s courtroom
Match each word with its correct definition.
1.2
_______
multi-cultural
a. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”
1.3
_______
secularize
b. a prayer; usually given at the opening of a meeting or
event
1.4
_______
overturned
c. having diverse human thinking, beliefs, and backgrounds within a society
1.5
_______
invocation
d. freedoms and opportunities given to the citizens of the
United States backed by the U.S. Constitution
1.6
_______
First Amendment
e. to make more humanistic and take the religious
aspect of something
1.7
_______
constitutional rights
f. reversed; changed the outcome
Match each word or date with its correct definition.
1.8
_______
1500s
a. public aid for parochial schools unlawful
1.9
_______
1852
b. invalidated school prayer requirement
1.10
_______
parochial schools
c. Protestant Reformation
1.11
_______
1947
d. established in parishes
1.12
_______
1962
e. compulsory attendance law
5
Complete the following sentences.
1.13
Everett Hale said, “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
What I can do, I should do and, with the help of God, _________________________ !”
1.14
In the relationship between men and religion the state is firmly committed to a position of
_________________________ .
1.15
The Alabama Ten Commandments ruling was bitterly fought by the ___________________________
____________________________________ and the Alabama Freethought Association.
1.16
Having diverse human thinking, beliefs and backgrounds within a society is called being
_____________________________________________________
Answer true or false.
1.17
__________
An invocation is a prayer; usually given at the opening of a meeting or event.
1.18
__________
The “school prayer issue” ruling of 1962 came about when atheist Madelyn
Murray O’Hare instructed her son Bill to refuse to be involved in the morning
school prayer.
1.19
__________
The Alabama state Supreme court allowed judge Roy Moore’s display of the
Sermon on the Mount.
Answer the following question.
1.20
Name the two-fold understanding of freedom of religion.
a.____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
b.____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
6
“Four score and seven years ago
our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation,
conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition
that all men are created equal …”
- Abraham Lincoln Gettysburg, Pennsylvania November 19, 1863
VOCABULARY
Study these words to enhance your learning success in this section.
civil rights
Rights and privileges owed to a citizen, including the freedom of
speech and of worship
discrimination
To be unfair in judgment; to be prejudiced. show partiality
Emancipation
Proclamation
“Slaves within any State…shall be then, thenceforward,
and forever free”
endowed
Supplied with; given as a help
ethnic
Of or relating to a group of people that share a distinctive race,
culture, heritage, or nationality
group identity
Being affiliated with a particular race, association, or people
nationality
Belonging to a nation by virtue of birth or naturalization
prejudices
Biases; stereotypical attitudes
religious affiliation
Identification to a church or belief; adherence to a certain faith
social rewards
Benefits that citizens of our society can enjoy. Awards based on
achievement
DISCRIMINATION AND THE CHRISTIAN
In 1963 on the one hundredth anniversary of the
Emancipation Proclamation, civil rights demonstrations occurred throughout the nation to call attention to
the discrimination against blacks and other minorities.
One of the most influential nonviolent demonstrations was
the giant civil rights rally in Washington, D.C. On August
28, 1963, two hundred thousand Blacks and Whites, who
supported the cause of equal rights, “marched” on the
nation’s capital to peacefully illustrate their impatience with slow government action. It
was a call for an end to discrimination. A key speaker at the Lincoln Memorial rally that
day was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who addressed the crowd with his historic “I Have A
Dream” speech. Even though that rally occurred more than thirty years ago, there are still
concerns by many Christians that not enough is being done to help alleviate the racial tension existing in the country today.
Why do people show discrimination? Sometimes it is from fear. Other times it
might be from a past hatred. Many people–sadly, sometimes even Christians–feel they have
the right to feel superior to those of other races or ethnic backgrounds. In a country that
glories in its racial diversity and openness, it is wise for the Christian to follow the commands of the Bible found in Galatians 5:14, “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word,
[even] in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” In other words, we are showing the
first steps of obedience to God when we accept everyone in a godly way. Even those who do
not follow Christ will be encouraged by the godly actions we show. This nation was founded upon the acceptance of all men.
7
The signers of the Declaration of Independence were signing a magnificent
document of personal freedom: “We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men
are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,
that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” This statement is a foundational principle for American democracy, but
even as this document was being signed, there
were men in presence of that historic occasion
who owned slaves and kept them from freedom.
Some of those very slave owners proudly considered themselves Christians. Unfortunately,
even today, discrimination and prejudices are
locked into the minds of most Americans,
including professing Christians. A good definition of discrimination is a practice that treats
equal people unequally and does not let them
have the same opportunities to compete for
social rewards.
The Bible is in complete agreement
with the freedoms discussed in the
Declaration of Independence. Just as
Romans 10:12 tells us, “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the
same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon
him.” We find passages that tell us of the kindness and love we should have for the citizens
and neighbors around us, no matter how different they are from us. Many people will bond
together on the basis of nationality, religious affiliation, economic status, language
usage, or regional habitat, as well as on race. Of all these criteria, race is one of the most
widely used as a basis for group identity.
Race may be defined as a group of people somewhat different from other groups in a
combination of inherited physical characteristics. Sadly, race is also substantially determined by popular social definition. We may often hear people speak of the “Jewish race” or
the “German race,” but in reality this is an ethnic group rather than race. An ethnic group
is any kind of group, racial or otherwise, which is recognized by society and by itself as a
distinct group-and is open to discrimination as well.
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS
We’ve all come from a unique background. Since the founding of our nation,
European immigrants have been assimilated in the United States. These immigrants came
from a number of national cultures with a variety of languages, customs, family patterns,
dietary habits, and general attitudes toward life. Usually, they would settle in ethnic
colonies, either in small towns—sometimes given a European name—or in urban neighborhoods which became known as “little” Greece, Italy, Poland, or any country from which
the majority of the populace came. Though many immigrants planned a temporary residence in the United States, the majority remained. Some spent their entire lives within the
ethnic colonies surrounded by fellow nationals, but succeeding generations moved out of
the colonies as their assimilation progressed to such an extent that their European background became only a faint memory. Although European immigrants quickly became integrated in a common society, Americans whose racial features set them off from the
Caucasians have not found assimilation to be so easy. Instead, the prevailing American pattern has been the integration of Caucasian immigrants and the segregation of all other
groups. That in no way should be the attitude of the Christian. Many Christian churches
are giving an extra effort to reach out and embrace other races and ethnic backgrounds so
8
that all may be accepted. In some western U.S. churches, there are even Spanish-speaking
services alongside the English-speaking services so that everyone may worship in the same
building and enjoy fellowship together.
It took an amendment to the Constitution to get the freedoms needed. The
United States was founded and settled chiefly by people seeking greater liberty; therefore,
many of the subsequent events in our nation’s history, such as the Revolutionary War, the
settlement of the West, the coming of tens of millions of immigrants, and the participation
DISCRIMINATION AT ITS WORST.
Survivors of the Buchenwald concentration camp.
in two world wars, have had liberty as their motivating force. In the American context,
equality means that the government should not discriminate among citizens by establishing legal classes, but should treat all persons alike. Americans proclaim that every person
should enjoy a fair and equal opportunity to realize his potential. The proclamations are
admirable, but the practices of Americans have often left much to be desired. For example,
slavery was an established institution until the Thirteenth Amendment was ratified on
December 18, 1865 when slavery was abolished and freedmen were granted equal protection under the law. Section I says, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a
punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within
the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” Three years later, on July 28,
1868, the Fourteenth Amendment defined the rights of citizenship by stating in Section I,
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall
make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privilege or immunities of citizens of the
United States: nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without
due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the
laws.” In 1870 the Fifteenth Amendment gave all male citizens the right to vote. The right
of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States
or any State on account of race, color, or Previous condition of servitude.”
Race has been a constant issue in this country. Though slavery had been abolished and all citizens granted equal protection under the law and the right of equal vote,
equal opportunity was not insured. Beginning about 1890, approximately twenty states
9
enacted segregation laws directed primarily at Negroes, but affecting in varying degrees persons of Oriental descent,
Mexican origin, and even American
Indian origin. Although they varied from
state to state, these laws basically provided for compulsory segregation of people along racial lines in the use or enjoyment of both private and public facilities
including such areas as education, recreation, housing, eating establishments,
and transportation. Finally in 1954, the
“separate but equal” policy in regard to
education was ruled unconstitutional,
and a long, slow process of desegregation
began. Since then, both federal legislation and state legislation have been
passed in an effort to prevent segregation and discrimination. States now forbid operators
of theaters, hotels, and restaurants to refuse service to minority groups, nor can private
industry discriminate in hiring employees.
Christians should be active in overcoming discrimination. Despite advances
taken during the administrations of Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy promoting civil
rights, many doors continued closed to minority groups, especially African-Americans. Since
1963, desegregation laws have been consistently passed, attitudes of individuals are continuing to be altered, and are slowly eliminating discrimination in our American society.
10
Answer the following question. What do you think this means? Explain your views of
Hubbard’s quotation to a fellow student or parent.
Many a man’s reputation would not know his character if they met on the street.”
-Elbert Hubbard
Adult Check
_______________________
Initial
Date
Match each word with its correct definition.
1.21
_____
religious affiliation
a. to be unfair in judgment; to be prejudiced. show
partiality
1.22
_____
ethnic
b. “slaves within any State…shall be then, thenceforward,
and forever free”
1.23
_____
prejudice
c. of or relating to a group of people that share a
distinctive race, culture, heritage, or nationality
1.24
_____
group identity
d. identification to a church or belief; adherence to
a certain faith
1.25
_____
discrimination
e. bias; stereotypical attitude
1.26
_____
Emancipation Proclamation
f. being affiliated with a particular race, association,
or people
Mark the statement that is NOT true.
1.27
_______
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave the “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963.
_______
States now forbid operators of theaters, hotels, and restaurants to refuse service to
minority groups.
_______
Beginning about 1890, approximately twenty states enacted segregation laws
directed primarily at Negroes.
_______
Slavery was an established institution until the Twelfth Amendment was ratified
on December 18, 1865.
_______
In 1870 the Fifteenth Amendment gave all male citizens the right to vote.
11
Complete the following statements.
1.28
___________________________ tells us, “For there is no difference between the Jew and the
Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.,”
1.29
Compulsory separation based on race in public facilities is called _____________________
_____________________________ .
1.30
“Fourscore and seven years ago our _________________ brought forth upon this continent a new
__________ , conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created
equal …” – Abraham Lincoln
1.31
A good definition of discrimination is a practice that treats equal people unequally and does
not let them have the same opportunities to compete for ___________________________ .
Write the letter of the correct answer on each blank.
1.32
A group of people who share a distinctive race, culture, heritage, or nationality is a(n)
_____________ .
a.
1.33
1.34
discrimination
b.
integration
c.
segregation
d.
race
e.
ethnic group
Removal of legal and social barriers which impose separation of groups is _____________ .
a.
discrimination
b.
integration
c.
segregation
d.
race
e.
ethnic group
What was the main point of the Thirteenth Amendment? _________________
a. the abolition of slavery
b. giving citizenship to the slaves
1.35
c.
making it illegal to discriminate against a person because of their race.
d.
giving everyone the right to vote
What was the main point of the Fourteenth Amendment? ___________________
a. the abolition of slavery
b. giving citizenship to the slaves
c.
giving everyone the right to vote
d. making it illegal to discriminate against a person because of their race
1.36
What was the main point of the Fifteenth Amendment? _________________
a. giving the right to vote to all American males
b. giving citizenship to the slaves
c.
the abolition of slavery
d. making it illegal to discriminate against a person because th their race
1.37
What happened in 1890 concerning civil rights? _________________
a. twenty states passed laws making it illegal to discriminate a person because of their race
b. twenty states passed laws that made segregation illegal.
c.
twenty states passed laws that enacted segregation laws
d. the formation of the Ku Klux Klan
12
1.38
To be unfair in judgement; to be prejudiced and show partiality is ___________________ .
a. discrimination
b. integration
c.
segregation
d. race
e.
ethnic group
Answer the following question.
1.39
What was the “march on Washington” and when did it take place?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Answer true or false.
1.40
_______
In some western U.S. churches, there are even Spanish-speaking services alongside
the English-speaking services so that everyone may worship in the same building
and enjoy fellowship together.
1.41
_______
The “citizenship amendment,” the 14th Amendment, was ratified in 1868.
1.42
_______
President Kennedy’s administration was known for promoting civil rights.
1.43
_______
The Thirteenth Amendment was ratified on December 18, 1899.
1.44
_______
“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” is found in Galatians 4:14.
13
“First they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the communists, and I did not speak out
because I was not a communist.
…Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me.”
-Pastor Niemoeller—a victim of the Nazi regime during Hitler’s reign
VOCABULARY
Study these words to enhance your learning success in this section.
bond slave
A servant under complete submission to his master
diverse
Distinct; different
exhort
To encourage or urge; admonish
heir
Those eligible for an inheritance
Onesimus
Philemon’s runaway slave who accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior
purge
To thoroughly clean out; to purify
reputation
The estimation of a person; the public perception of a person
social class
A level of society
stereotyping
Acting in a biased manner; using prejudicial thinking
transgressors
Sinners; those that break the law
CHRISTIAN ATTITUDES IN AMERICAN SOCIETY
In 1215 the 4th Council of Lateran in France declared that the Jews of their country
would be required to wear a distinctive sign to display their race. A patch that bore the
design of a wheel made of red or yellow cloth had to be worn by anyone of the Jewish race.
This practice was imitated in Italy in the 16th century, where all those of the Jewish race
were required to wear a yellow hat. The purpose behind this humiliating act was to distinguish the Jew as being a “different kind of person” from the rest of the races. Similar practices occurred through the ages and included such countries as Spain and England. It is
interesting to note that the fact that
they had to wear distinctive clothing
probably denoted that they were similar in other respects. In other words,
other people were forcing them to be
noted as different! These are just a few
examples of discrimination against
people.
“...that this nation, under God,
shall have a new birth of freedom...”
These words were spoken by Abraham
Lincoln as he proclaimed the liberties
that were available to each citizen of
the United States. However, many people then and now still suffer a type of
bondage: the bondage of prejudice.
14
Sadly enough, some Christians are responsible for keeping that prejudice alive.
The United States has been known as “the
Great Melting Pot,” meaning that people of all races
and nationalities are welcome within its borders.
Sometimes the inclusion of so many diverse backgrounds causes attitudes of discrimination and prejudice, even among Christians. What does the Bible say
about these types of attitudes? Galatians 3:28-29
states, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female:
for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s,
then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heir according to the
promise.” Since all Christians are entitled to the blessings of God, discrimination has no place among His
family members. Deuteronomy 28 contains the promises given to Abraham that we have inherited, including the promise recorded in verse 13: “And the Lord
shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou
shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath...”
We are royal members of the kingdom of God, but to
walk according to our inherited position, we must
remember that the mark of royalty in God’s kingdom
is a walk of humility before our fellow men, as we are
told by our Master in Matthew 23:11-12: “But he that
is greatest among you shall be your servant. And
whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he
that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” We are
servants, or bond slaves, of Jesus Christ, who taught
us by example what true servanthood is.
From ancient early history, slavery has been
an accepted norm for most societies. Before Moses led his people out of Egypt, they
were slaves to Pharaoh because they were a conquered people. Continuing into the New
Testament era, it was customary for the victorious nation to take the captured people as
slaves. The ancient world was not bothered by the question of race differences, for the
ancient world did not base slavery on the color of a person’s skin. Slavery was an accepted
social class, which did not necessarily denote cruel treatment and a hopeless, downtrodden way of life. Slaves, however, wished for their freedom, as would anyone under bondage.
When Paul was writing his Epistles, many slaves were becoming Christians. He sent them
some specific words of instruction found in I Corinthians 7:21-24; Ephesians 6:5-9;
Colossians 3:22-25; I Timothy 6:1-2; and Titus 2:9. The entire letter of Philemon deals with
the acceptance of Philemon’s runaway slave, Onesimus, who had been converted under
Paul’s ministry. In this letter, Paul explained that in Christ there is a completely new frame
of reference that transforms all earthly relationships into an attitude of brotherhood rather
than prejudice.
Intense race consciousness among European peoples did not develop until the colonial
expansion, when white men needed a handy rationalization to justify their rule over nonwhite people. Such discrimination was a
result of another sin—prejudice. Prejudice implies a preconceived
and unreasonable judgment or opinion, usually an unfavorable one
marked by suspicion, fear, intolerance, or hatred. Prejudice is an
unreasonable bias formed before the facts are known, usually
resulting in injury or harm of some sort. Stereotyping is another
harsh action, where a person is pre-judged wrongfully because of a
characteristic such as their skin color, national origin, or even what
15
they wear. For example, Bill might be constantly excluded from neighborhood baseball
games because he wears glasses; the rest of the kids assume anyone that wears glasses cannot see well enough to play baseball. That is a form of stereotyping.
Ungodly prejudice is wrong for the Christian. Prejudice is not limited to racial
attitudes, but also includes such discriminations as financial standing or physical handicaps. Many people, even Christians, avoid assisting people who are blind, arthritic, lame, or
otherwise physically limited. The general thinking of society was that
they were “lesser” citizens because of their handicaps. Thankfully, awareness towards assisting them is increasing. In America today, for example,
businesses must comply with federal guidelines that assist physically disabled citizens or face stiff fines by the government. It wasn’t until recent
decades that public places became “wheelchair accessible.” Wider doors,
lower sinks, drinking fountains, and larger restroom stalls with safety
handles were not available to those who were wheelchair bound.
Christians should be examples of those who show compassion and encouragement towards
those who are limited in their physical abilities.
Preferring the company of the wealthy over those who are poor is an attitude that
Christians should recognize as sin. James addressed this kind of discrimination in James
2:1-9, concluding by stating in verse 9: “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin,
and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” All of us are guilty to some extent of prejudice and a discriminatory attitude. We might avoid someone because of their accent, their
skin color, or their school grades. Yet God very clearly instructs us to love our neighbors as
ourselves, and as Philippines 2:3 says: “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but
in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” The way to cure our
prejudice is to let the love of God show us what it is like to be that person who suffers from
discrimination. Imagine how a black person of the 1950s felt when he was refused service
at a restaurant. Imagine how a person with a physical deformity faces each day, knowing
he will probably be mocked or avoided simply because of his appearance. Imagine the older
person who finds it hard just to read a newspaper or hear a normal conversation. God
wants us to reach out and not only understand but, as much as possible, to try to alleviate
the problems surrounding that person. Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God which worketh
in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. As we submit our lives to the control of
the Holy Spirit and confess our prejudices to God, He will cleanse and purge us to remedy
our wrong attitudes and unmerciful actions toward those we fear or mistrust. As
Philippians 2:5-7 exhorts, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who,
being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of
no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant....” Our responsibility is to love others, according to I John 4:7-8, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every
one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for
God is love.”
16
Answer the question below. What do you think Browne was trying to say about our character? Do you agree with Browne’s statement? Discuss your answer with a fellow student or
your parents.
“Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking.”
-H. Jackson Browne
Adult Check
_______________________
Initial
Date
To read more about discrimination against the Japanese-Americans after World War II,
go to www.odu.edu/~hanley/history1/Klimova.htm or your local library.
To view intense images of persecution by the Nazis against the Jewish people on
“Kristallnacht” in 1939, go to www.jentaoris.simplenet.com/holo/
Match each word to its correct meaning.
1.45
_______
reputation
a. distinct; different
1.46
_______
diverse
b. a level of society
1.47
_______
bond slave
c. the estimation of a person; the public perception of
a person
1.48
_______
social class
d. a servant under complete submission to his master
1.49
_______
exhort
e. to encourage or urge; admonish
1.50
_______
transgressors
f. Bible passage that tells us we are one in Christ
1.51
_______
Philippians 2:3
g. Bible passage that tells us to be servants
1.52
_______
Matthew 23:11-12
h. sinners; those that break the law
1.53
_______
stereotyping
i. growth in America which was also a time when
race consciousness became a strong issue
1.54
_______
Galatians 3:28-29
j. Bible passage that tells us to prefer others more
than ourselves
1.55
_______
purging
k. acting in a biased manner; using prejudicial
thinking
1.56
_______
colonial expansion
l. a thorough cleaning out; a purifying
17
Answer true or false.
1.57
__________
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem others better than themselves.” This is a passage found in Philippians 2:3.
1.58
__________
In ancient Rome, race was the determining factor of slavery.
1.59
__________
At the time when Paul was writing his Epistles, many slaves were becoming
Christians.
Complete the following statements.
1.60
In 1215 the 4th Council of Lateran in ______________________ declared that the
__________________ of their country would be required to wear a distinctive sign to display
their race.
1.61
The United States has been known as ___________________________________________________
meaning that people of all races and nationalities are welcome into its borders.
1.62
The entire letter of Philemon deals with the acceptance of Philemon’s runaway slave
___________________________________.
1.63
Abraham Lincoln said, “…that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of
____________________________…”
1.64
James 2:1-9 deals with discrimination of ___________________ over the ___________________ .
1.65
According to 1 John 4:7-8, what is the solution to prejudice? _________________
Answer the following question.
1.66
According to Philippians 2:3, how are we to treat each other?_____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Review the material in this section in preparation for the Self Test. The Self Test will check
your mastery of this particular section. The items missed on this Self Test will
indicate specific areas where restudy is needed for mastery.
18
SELF TEST 1
Match each word to its correct meaning (each answer, 2 points).
1.01
_______
multi-cultural
a. involved in provoking the “school prayer issue”
ruling of 1962
b. established in parishes
1.02
_______
invocation
1.03
_______
parochial schools
1.04
_______
Everett Hale
1.05
_______
Madelyn Murray O’Hare
1.06
_______
transgressors
1.07
_______
Philippians 2:3
g. acting in a biased manner; using prejudicial
thinking
1.08
_______
Matthew 23:11-12
h. a thorough cleaning out; a purifying
1.09
_______
stereotyping
i. Bible passage which tells us to prefer others more
than ourselves
1.010
_______
Galatians 3:28-29
j. Bible passage that tells us we are one in Christ.
1.011
_______
purging
k. growth in America which was also a time when
race consciousness became a strong issue
1.012
_______
colonial expansion
l. sinners; those that break the law
1.013
_______
James 2:1-9
m. “love thy neighbor as thyself”
1.014
_______
letter of Philemon
n. deals with the acceptance of Philemon’s runaway
slave Onesimus
1.015
_______
“the Great Melting Pot”
o. deals with the discrimination of rich over the poor
1.016
_______
Galatians 5:14
p. runaway slave who then became a Christian
1.017
_______
Onesimus
q. nickname for the U.S. because of the country’s
ethnic diversity
c. a prayer; usually given at the opening of a
meeting or event
d. having diverse human thinking, beliefs and
backgrounds within a society
e. “I am only one, but I am one. What I can do … with
the help of God, I will do.”
f. Bible passage which tells us to be servants
Complete the following statements (each answer, 3 points).
1.018
“Fourscore and seven years ago our ______________________ brought forth upon this continent a
new _________________, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are
created equal …”—Abraham Lincoln.
1.019
In 1947 public aid for _________________________________________________ was declared unlawful.
1.020
Protestant Reformation took place in the __________________________ .
1.021
In the relationship between men and religion the state is firmly committed to a position of
_______________________________________ .
1.022
The Alabama Ten Commandments ruling was bitterly fought by the _______________________
_______________________________________________ and the Alabama Freethought Association.
19
1.023
In 1870 the _____________ Amendment gave all male citizens the right to vote.
1.024
__________________________________ tells us, ”For there is no difference between the Jew and
the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.”
1.025
Compulsory separation in public facilities based on race is called ____________________
_____________________________ .
1.026
A good definition of discrimination is a practice that treats equal people unequally nor does it
let them have the same opportunities to compete for ____________________________________ .
1.027
Abraham Lincoln said, “…that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of
_________________…”
1.028
According to 1 John 4:7-8, what is the solution to prejudice? ____________________
Answer true or false (each answer, 2 points).
1.029
__________ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave the “I Have a Dream” speech in 1979.
1.030
__________ To be unfair in judgment; to be prejudiced and show partiality is discrimination.
1.031
__________ There is constant attention paid to removing the name of God from our American
currency.
__________ The Alabama state Supreme court allowed Judge Roy Moore’s display of the Ten
Commandments.
__________ In some western U.S. churches there are Spanish-speaking services alongside the
English-speaking services so that everyone may worship in the same building and
enjoy fellowship together.
__________ President Eisenhower’s administration was not known for promoting civil rights.
__________ President Kennedy’s administration was one known for promoting civil rights.
1.032
1.033
1.034
1.035
1.036
1.037
__________ The Thirteenth Amendment was ratified on December 18, 1899 and concerned the
abolition of slavery.
__________ “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” This verse is found in Galatians 5:14.
1.038
__________ In ancient Rome race was the determining factor of slavery.
1.039
__________ At the time when Paul was writing his Epistles, many slaves were becoming
Christians.
Mark the two statements which are TRUE concerning the First Amendment of the
Constitution (each answer, 2 points).
1.040
a. _______
The government may not prohibit a citizen from owning a rifle.
b. _______
The government may not jail a citizen without reading him his rights.
c. _______
The government may not re-enact slavery.
d. _______
The government is forbidden to establish a religion
e. _______
The government is forbidden to interfere with or regulate religion.
Which statement is NOT true (each answer, 2 points).
1.041
a. _______
States now forbid operators of theaters, hotels, and restaurants to refuse service
to minority groups.
b. _______
Beginning about 1890, approximately twenty states enacted segregation laws
directed primarily at Negroes.
c. _______
Slavery was an established institution until the Twelfth Amendment was
ratified on December 18,1865.
20
Write the letter of the correct answer on each blank (each answer, 2 points).
1.042
A group of people that share a distinctive race, culture, heritage, or nationality _____
a. discrimination
b. integration
c.
segregation
d. race
e.
1.043
ethnic group
Removal of legal and social barriers which impose separation of groups ______
a. discrimination
b. integration
c.
segregation
d. race
e.
1.044
ethnic group
What was the main point of the Fourteenth Amendment? _______
a. the abolition of slavery
b. giving citizenship to the slaves
c.
giving everyone the right to vote
d. making it illegal to discriminate against a person because of their race.
1.045
What happened in 1890 concerning civil rights? _______
a. Twenty states passed laws making it illegal to discriminate a person because of their race.
b. Twenty states passed laws that made segregation illegal.
c.
Twenty states passed laws that enacted segregation laws.
d. the formation of the Ku Klux Klan
Answer the following questions (each answer, 5 points).
1.046
What was the “march on Washington,” and when did it take place? _______________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1.047
According to Philippians 1:3, how are we to treat each other?_____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Score
Adult Check
93
116
21
_______________________
___________________
Initial
Date