Straight Answers to Contemporary Concerns

“Xenophobia” (pronounced as if the “x” is a “z”) is defined by Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary as: “fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything that is strange or foreign.” In my lifetime and experience (and I have traveled around the world and lived both in and out of the USA) I have noticed that there are people in most all cultures and nations who have this fear or hatred of others. This is not solely a matter that occurs in the United States. It happens everywhere.

This prejudice or hatred usually lasts as long as those who maintain it, or promote it, refuse or fail to be active in trying to become acquainted with or knowing well, those who are not like themselves. Sometimes this hatred or fear exists because one does not have the love of God in his heart. When people have the courage and human decency to appreciate that good qualities exist among all peoples, nations, and races, much prejudice and fear will cease. When the prejudice, fear, and hatred cease, and people begin to respect one another, the desire for war and oppression declines.

Prejudice is a trait that is taught. Children who hate or fight against children who are unlike themselves racially, ethnically, or in other ways, are usually taught negatively about such folk. A group, a race, or skin-color is lumped into the same category by a parent or someone else, and denigrated to the child. The child grows up hating the other race, culture, or skin-color, but has no reason why he hates them. He follows what he was taught. So, the prejudice and hatred is perpetuated.

How do we stop such senseless hatred of our fellowman? Educate people properly, correctly. Show how to respect and appreciate the innate value or worth of all peoples. Understand and appreciate the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man.

” …He gives to all life, breath, and all things…. “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, …for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’” – Acts 17:25-29.

“Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. “But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. “The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ–He is Lord of all–” — Acts 10:34-36.

“But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you: for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.” — 1 Thess. 4:9.

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” — 1 John 4:11.