Friday; August 23

Last Sunday morning we began a discussion about prejudice in our Bible Class.  The discussion was promoted by James’ teaching, “My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.” (James 2:1).   While James’ initial teaching challenged the gap between the “haves” and “have-nots” I decided to deal with the issue we face in the United States – racial prejudice.  I have been thinking about this struggle for a while and I don’t have a simple unilateral answer as to how we can overcome bigotry, but I have discovered how I can be more effective in discussing it.  In the past when the topic has been brought up I have typically started out on the defensive.  Someone will be describing their feelings or recounting their experiences and I find myself evaluating their stories through my experiences.  As they are talking about what has happened to them, I process it through MY filter.  As they describe their experiences I find myself thinking, “Well, I wouldn’t have treated you that way” or “That doesn’t sound too bad to me” or “How could you feel that way?”.  In other words, I evaluated their experiences through my life experiences and worldview. 
What would happen if we were willing to engage others in this challenging discussion and commit to just listening to them in an empathetic way?  No, I may not be able to sympathize what it is like being African-American, Hispanic or Asian in today’s world; but I can listen to others as they discuss what they have been through.  I shouldn’t try to excuse what someone else did that offended another person, my responsibility is to listen to them as they relate the hurt they felt.
Let’s be willing to listen to each other as we discuss sensitive and difficult issues.  When we do, we’ll be more apt to understand and support each other.
Think About It!

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