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Racism

2 Christians Among 10 Killed Victims Of Buffalo Grocery Store Shooting

by Christa May 17, 2022

written by Christa

The community in Buffalo, New York was stirred by the Buffalo grocery store shooting news on Saturday. It was reported that an 18-year-old white supremacist opened fire and killed ten shoppers. Two devout Christians were among his victims.

Buffalo Grocery Store Shooting

“This was pure evil. It was straight-up racially motivated hate crime from somebody outside our community,” Erie County Sheriff said.

The suspect, Payton Gendron, charged the Tops Friendly Markets with an assault-style rifle and streamed his attack in real-time on Twitch. Twitch’s representatives condemned the horrible act and released a statement.

They said, “Our hearts go out to the community impacted by this tragedy. Twitch has a zero-tolerance policy against violence of any kind and works swiftly to respond to all incidents. The user has been indefinitely suspended from our service, and we are taking all appropriate action, including monitoring for any accounts rebroadcasting this content.”

Source: CNN

Gendron shot 13 people and killed 10; 2 of them were Christians. They were Ruth Whitefield and Pearly Young.

The tragedy devastated the victims’ families and friends. They took to Twitter their tribute to their passed loved ones.

Ruth’s son remembered her as “a mother to the motherless.” He shared, “She loved God and taught us to do the same thing.”

Pearly was the same. Her friends celebrated her life because of the legacy she left. They honored her for running a feeding pantry every Saturday at Central Park for 25 years.

Pearly Young, 77, was killed today in #Buffalo shopping for groceries.

For 25 years she ran a pantry where every Saturday she fed people in Central Park. Every. Saturday.
She loved singing, dancing, & being with family.

She was mother, grandma, & missionary. Gone too soon 🕊 pic.twitter.com/dQ5X9KBJCQ

— Madison Carter (@madisonlcarter) May 15, 2022

Meanwhile, the supermarket’s security guard was heralded as the hero for bravely engaging with the shooter. The suspect was unharmed because of his bulletproof vest. Aaron Salter, the security guard, defended others but also lost his life during the shootout.

Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia applauded Salter’s devotion. He said, “One of the individuals inside the store is a security guard, a beloved security guard, who is a retired Buffalo police officer — a hero in our eyes — he engaged the suspect and fired multiple shots.”

Let us pray for the bereaved families and the black community affected by the incident.

Reference: Christian Post

May 17, 2022 0 comment

“It’s Time to Tell the World the Right Story”—FM Lapid Says Antisemitism is the “Family Name” of Racism

by Ron Cantor July 26, 2021

written by Ron Cantor

Last Wednesday, at the 7^th Annual Global Forum for Combatting Antisemitism, Israel Foreign Minister Yair Lapid made big waves with his short speech that reframed antisemitism as not “the first name of hate, but its family name.”

“The anti-Semites weren’t only in the Budapest Ghetto (where his father and grandmother were captive)” but that “anti-Semites were also slave traders who threw people bound together in chains into the sea…anti-Semites were the extremist Hutu in Rwanda who massacred Tutsis…” He said they are also the “Muslim fanatics” who kill gay people and others. And the Holocaust was the “extreme manifestation of hate.”

“Antisemitism isn’t the first name of hate, it’s the family name, it is anyone who hates so much that they want to kill and eliminate and persecute and expel people just because they are different,” Lapid said.

After the speech, Opposition Leader MK Benjamin Netanyahu pushed back on Lapid’s definition, calling it “outrageous and irresponsible,” and warned that it minimizes the concept of antisemitism. He cautioned that it weakens the idea that antisemitism is unique among all the cruelties humans have done to one another through the ages.

“Even though antisemitism, hatred of Jews, is part of the general human phenomenon of hatred of the foreigner, it is different from that in its strength, durability over thousands of years and its murderous ideology that has been nourished throughout the generations in order to pave the way for the destruction of the Jews,” Netanyahu countered.

I think Lapid exposes a critical fact—all racism is ugly and displeasing to God. We are ALL created in God’s image; therefore, we ALL have equal worth. It has nothing to do with our skin color, ethnicity, nationality, race, or sex.

However, I disagree with Lapid when he equates antisemitism with all racism in general. Antisemitism is uniquely Jewish, and it is demonic. The enemy of God—Satan—has a diabolical plan to eliminate the Jewish people. From Haman to Hitler, there have been plots and plans to wipe out the Jews—and millions have been killed. It is a hatred that has been violent and murderous for THOUSANDS of years…in words and deeds…and boycotts.

By saying ‘Jews are just like everyone else on the planet who gets persecuted,’ Lapid shows which side he is on in our age-old struggle with our “chosen-ness”- the “we want to be like everyone else” side.

Let me explain: Jews tend to have two extreme positions about our “chosen-ness.” The first is that we don’t want to be chosen; we just want to be like everyone else. I am not merely referring to pre-holocaust Europe, where a vast number of Jews simply wanted to be known as a Russian or German, as opposed to a Jew, but all the way back to the book of Samuel where the Jewish people demanded a king, like the other nations. But the other side is one of pride—that our “chosen-ness” makes us better than everyone else. And that is not why God chose Israel.

Lapid and Netanyahu somewhat represent both of these views, respectively.

When God selected Israel to be His covenant people, he didn’t pick us so that we could lord it over everyone who wasn’t chosen! We weren’t singled out from all the other nations because we were so good or superior or intelligent (you get the idea). Our “chosen-ness” was not a stamp of superiority over the Gentile (non-Jewish) world but a call to servanthood to the nations.

And through Yeshua—the most famous Jew in history—God Himself in human form—that mandate was finally fulfilled. Yeshua—the Son of David, the Seed of Abraham, the Suffering Servant—did what we could not do for ourselves, bringing the gift of eternal life to the world. And it was the Jewish apostles who went from vying for position in the Gospel narratives to embracing true humility, as they took the message of Messiah to the nations.

Israel is still chosen under the Abrahamic covenant, but we are chosen to serve. Not to be served.

July 26, 2021 0 comment

Articles

Heavy Conversation About Racism: How Is God Dealing With The Church Today?

by Rhoda Gayle June 23, 2021

written by Rhoda Gayle

Two influential Christian women engage in a heavy conversation about races and racism discussing how God is dealing with His Church today.

Andrea Moore

In an episode of A Life You Love with host Renee Evans, Andrea Moore, a pastor in Austin, Texas, discusses today’s issue on racism. Racism is a tough issue that America and other countries around the world have faced for centuries and is still evident today.

As a woman of color, Andrea revealed how it has been a rough season for her. She also shared how she thinks God is working right now.

“We’ve kind of been dumped into this interesting opportunity to learn, to grow, and to experience some things that I think God wants us to experience… This is an incredible opportunity for the Church to learn and grow together,” Andrea said.

Racism

As the heated issue continues, more Christians are being silent to avoid any conflict that comes with their words. However, in their silence, there are assumptions being made. Andrea explains why it has always been difficult for us to be united and talk openly about solving this issue.

“95% of our churches are segregated, 95. That’s 10% more than our schools, 20% more than our neighborhoods,” she explained. “And it just shocks me, I was like, ‘This makes sense why there’s this division and this silence and this very real elephant in the room.’”

God is dealing with the Church

Amidst the chaos and division, God is raising up this generation to be a solution for this issue. God is about to bring an end to this problem and unite His people again.

“God is raising up people that I believe have a desire to be a part of this solution,” Andrea emphasized. “This is a journey, this is a marathon of a solution. No we’re not going to fix it all today. This has been going on for centuries.”

God is preparing you to be a part of that solution. All we have to do is to be willing to be used as an instrument of unity.

“God is saying, ‘I’ve prepared this place, will you come?’”

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Reference: GOD TV

June 23, 2021 0 comment

Articles

Elderly Man Asks To Hold A Sleeping Baby, Touching Scenario Breaks Status Quo

by Rhoda Gayle April 28, 2021

written by Rhoda Gayle

The touching scenario of an elderly man asking a struggling mom to hold her sleeping baby is breaking the status quo on racism.

Elderly man

An elderly man helps a mom who was holding her sleeping baby in a doctor’s office while doing some paperwork. He asked the woman if he could hold her baby and it stunned her. She agreed and the following scenario touches millions of people around the world.

Natasha Wilson captured the entire scenario and posted a photo of the man and woman to Facebook.

“I was in the waiting room at the doc office today and this lady walked in with her sleeping baby,” Natasha wrote in her post. “They handed her paperwork to do. As she was sitting there trying to figure out how to hold her sleeping baby while filling out the paperwork, this man, from across the room, asks her if she would like for him to hold her baby while she did her paperwork!”

Breaking Status Quo

As racial tension across America and the world heightened, we all need to hear stories like these.

“She smiled and said that would be wonderful! This man went over there and rocked and loved on that baby like he was his! My heart Melted! Racism is still VERY real in our society today BUT THIS MAN GAVE ME HOPE & a sweet memory I’ll never forget! If you know this man tell him what an amazing person he is,” she continued.

The mom in the picture is later identified as Jade West. She then shared in an interview how sweet that elderly man was to her son.

“He was talking to him as if he was his own grandchild and had known him his whole life,” the grateful mother said. “He was just the sweetest.”

Love one another

Natasha emphasized the great message of this photo, it is to love one another as God commanded us to do.

“I think it’s shown more people and given more people hope,” Natasha said of the photo. “I’m just a small-town girl. It’s got to be God saying ‘Look, people. We can love one another. It’s not hard.’ And it’s not.”

Reference: Faith It

April 28, 2021 0 comment

Articles

Renowned Artist Steve Skipper Survives Gang Life And Drug Abuse To Stand Against Racism

by Rhoda Gayle October 1, 2020

written by Rhoda Gayle

Renowned artist Steve Skipper survived gang life and drug abuse to defy all odds and stand against racism.

Steve Skipper

When Steve Skipper was growing up, racism was an enormous problem in America. People of color didn’t have a shot in the artistic industry. Without having any solid background to support his passion for art, Steve turned to street life.

As a teenager, he was a member of the nation’s most notorious gang and abusing drugs. However, God’s made His presence known to Steve through an encounter with Jesus Christ, which changed his entire life forever.

Christian artworks

Led by God, today Steve is a prolific artist known for his works about sports, equestrian, portraiture, and Christian artworks. His meticulous style of super-realism opened doors for him to be acknowledged as the first black man in the United States to make a name as an artist.

Some of the organizations that commissioned him were NASCAR, University of Alabama, PGA, PBR, MGM Grand, Monte Carlo, and Chelsea Piers.

“Colors of Character”

Steve Skipper will be sharing his journey as a Christian artist in an upcoming film “Colors of Character” that will be released next month. He will be narrating the movie himself and it will feature key personalities in his life including ministers and athletes.

“I feel so honored that God opened the doors to share my testimony through ‘Colors of Character.’ My story is one of hope — God giving me a way out of severe gang violence and drug abuse, into a story of abundant life,” Skipper told The Christian Post on Wednesday.

“God has a plan”

Steve wants his movie to convey a message of hope to everyone who was questioning their journey.

“I hope my story helps others seek to understand God’s purpose for their life, and then not question the journey when God orders your steps in a way where something doesn’t make sense. God has a plan; we just have to be willing to show up!”

October 1, 2020 0 comment

Articles Video

Pastor Miles McPherson Talks About The “Third Option” In Going Against Racism

by Christa July 14, 2020

written by Christa

Megachurch pastor Miles McPherson spoke last Saturday during the Faith & Prejudice’s National Weekend of Action. He talks about the third option referred in his book, The Third Option: Hope for a Racially Divided Nation, in fighting against racism in their country.

Pastor Miles McPherson

McPherson is the senior pastor of The Rock Church based in California. Today, he partners with Faith & Prejudice, a grassroots movement that confronts and dismantles racism in America.

Starting on July 6, the movement has hosted Facebook Live events that aim to educate and speak on the history of race in America the impact of systemic racism on people of color. McPherson was tasked to talk about the “third option” based on his book.

He said, people usually ask him of the first two options. He answered that they are “us-versus-them approach” and the “for-or-against” culture. “Culture forces you to pick one against the other. And once you pick one side, you can’t agree with the other side… That’s the two options the world gives you.”

The third option

However, there is a third option. The third option is “we give honor or value to what we have in common.” He believes that people have more similarities than differences.

And one of the common things people have is that we are all made in the image of God. “The image of God in me is not superior to the image of God in you. And the image of God in you is not superior to the image of God in me, or inferior,” he stressed out.

He continued, “Racism then is when I see the image of God in you is less than the image of God in me. That is so unbiblical and not true.”

“So the third option is I see you as being made in the image of God as equally as I am, and that God loves you as equally as He does me. And I lean into that and focus on that versus what the world tells me to focus on that’s gonna bring us apart.”

Listen more to Pastor McPherson’s sermon about being fighting against racism by being a “brother’s keeper” below.

Reference: Christian Post

July 14, 2020 0 comment

Family

Our Children Don’t Need The Light Version Of Faith

by Joanna Flavin June 8, 2020

written by Joanna Flavin

The other day we took our kids to a peaceful protest for racial equality. See, I have never been someone that considers myself an activist or political, or someone that would go on a march or protest. I have always admired people that were so passionate about something they would shout it from the rooftops, but it’s never been me. I have gone on mission trips to share my faith, and have posted about my faith on social media, but even then I am no street evangelist. And politics have never been my thing.

Stand Up For Change

However, recent events are changing me. Because I want to raise kind, compassionate, just, Christ-like kids, who fight for those who are oppressed. In order to do so, I am realizing I need to talk about the worlds’ injustices. We decided to take them to a peaceful protest so that they could see firsthand what people do when they want something to change. And we wanted them to see that racial injustice needs to change, and they have a voice to do so. I believe that this is a turning point for humanity and that their generation can grow up in a more just world. But I also wanted them so to see that change takes a lot of hard work and dedication.

Light Version Vs. Telling It How It Is

As we were getting ready to leave we told them when people are protesting they hold signs that say how they feel. So, I made a sign for each of them to hold that had a positive message. One said “Love Your Neighbor”, another said, “Spread Love”, and another said, “Kindness Starts With Me”. I thought I did a pretty good job of making “kid-friendly” messages that were positive but had an underlying message about how God wants us to love those of all races. Turns out my signs were a little too “light”.

My 7-year-old saw my protest signs and said, “Mom, why don’t any of our signs say ‘racism’?” Wow. I was blown away. Here I was trying to censor the message so the kids wouldn’t be overexposed or ask too many questions I wouldn’t be able to answer. But the truth is, they hear what’s going on in the world. And they see what is going on in the world. My 5-year-old blew us away even further when he said he wanted his sign to say, “Why did they kill George Floyd?” Such an overcomplicated situation simplified to one little question by a 5-year-old. A little question we would all like the answer to.

“My command is this: Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

Be Straightforward, No Light Version

My kids don’t watch the news and I hardly watch the news with them around. They don’t have tablets or iPads where they can stumble upon something they weren’t intended to see. But they hear us talking, and they watch our reactions. When we get angry about something, they see they should be angry too. When we are excited and happy about something they gauge that it is good to be excited and happy about that too. We have been talking to our kids about racism and racial inequality and we have been using those terms. And my son knew that if we are angry about racism and we want to make a point about it to others we need to come out and say it, instead of walking on eggshells and tiptoeing around the issue.

Be Bold

I think the same can be said about our faith. If we want our kids to know that Jesus is the son of God, whom God sent to die for our sins and rise again, so that we can believe in Him and spend eternity in Heaven with Him, then we need to talk about that. We need to constantly expose them to Jesus. They need to see we are passionate about Him and that we get excited about Him. And they need to see that we love Him and He loves us and that believing in Him and standing up for Him is the most important thing in our lives. Our kids are not going to be passionate about Jesus if we give them the “Christian light” version and tiptoe around that topic either. We need to be bold in our faith and come out and say it.

“Jesus loves the little children

All the children of the world

Red, brown, yellow

Black and white

They are precious in His sight.

Jesus loves the little children

Of the world.”

(Source)

June 8, 2020 0 comment

Articles

Texas Lt Governor Says Racism Is An Issue Of Love And America Needs Healing From God

by Christa June 8, 2020

written by Christa

Following the death of George Floyd by a police officer, America has been under frenzy with all the riots and political conflicts. Texas Lt Governor Dan Patrick spoke out amidst the turmoil, saying God can only heal the land.

Texas Lt Governor Dan Patrick

In an interview with Fox News, Patrick affirmed to news anchor Shannon Bream that racism has been existing within the country up to present time. “But it’s really an issue of love,” he said. “It’s loving God. If you cannot love your fellow man, if you don’t love God. And we have a country where we’ve been working really hard, particularly on the left, to kick God out.”

Furthermore, he suggested culture change to address racism. “You cannot change the culture of a country until you change the character of mankind,” he stated. And the change of character and hearts can only come in turning to God through His Son Jesus Christ.

Police Officer And A Protester Caught Praying Together Amidst The Protest

“You can’t change that unless you change the heart. And for billions of us on the planet, we believe you can’t do that unless you accept Jesus Christ or unless you accept God,” Patrick boldly declared.

With this, Bream couldn’t more agree. “The Bible tells us it’s not optional. Love your neighbor as yourself,” she said.

Patrick referred to the death of George Floyd as a “crime against all black America and against humanity and we’re coming together.” In addition, he said that America needs healing and turning to God is the solution.

“We cannot heal through commissions and blue-ribbon panels and more laws,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of healing to do and we can’t do it unless we turn to God. And we need to do that now more than ever.”

Reference: Christian Headlines

June 8, 2020 0 comment

News

Israeli Documentary About Racist Soccer Fan Club Nabs Emmy

by GOD TV October 3, 2018

written by GOD TV

“Forever Pure”, an Israeli documentary about the controversial Beitar Jerusalem’s hardcore fan club, known as La Familia, won an Emmy Award in the Outstanding Politics & Government Documentary category on Monday night.

In her documentary, Director Maya Zinshtein portrays the 2012-2013 season of Beitar, during which time the team’s Russian-Israeli oligarch owner Arcadi Gaydamak signed two Muslim players from Chechnya, Zaur Sadayev and Dzhabrail Kadiyev, to play for Beitar.

Gaydamak’s decision divided the fans, some of which, did not like to have Muslim athletes on their team. Unlike other Israeli soccer clubs, Beitar has never employed a non-Jewish player. La Familia’s reaction to the new players demoralized the team, leading to a terrible season, in which the team sometimes played in near-empty stadiums. Gaydemak was forced to hire bodyguards to protect the Muslim players that were eventually kicked off the team.

The title of the documentary, Forever Pure, refers to a banner held up by La Familia meaning free of non-Jews, racially pure.

“Forever Pure tells a much broader story, than that of Beitar,“ Maya Zinshtein, the film’s director told Tazpit Press Service (TPS) from Zurich, where she is a judge at the Zurich International Film Festival, “it tells how racism of a small group of people can break down a whole society. It is a good example of how extremists can take the control of the majority, it is a very present-day movie for the Israeli society,” she added.

Beitar, which has been later sold to Eli Tabib and then to entrepreneur Moshe Hogeg, has been trying to address the issue of its racist fan club. In August, Hogeg declared that religion would no longer be a criterion for signing players.

Written by Mara Vigevani/TPS | Photo by TPS

October 3, 2018 0 comment

News

ABC Axes ‘Roseanne’ Over Racist Tweet yet ‘The View’ Is Still On Despite Anti Christian Rhetoric

by Al Gibson May 31, 2018

written by Al Gibson

ABC Axes Roseanne Barr Over Racist Tweet yet Joy Behar is Still On Air Despite Likening Prayer to Mental Illness

ABC has been accused of hypocrisy for cancelling comedian, Roseanne Barr’s show after she made a racist joke on Twitter, while keeping The View on air despite the shocking things it’s co-host Joy Behar has said about Christianity.

Although the ‘Roseanne’ remake was a huge hit with over 21 million viewers the series was axed after it’s leading actress made a huge error of judgement off air. She compared one of Barack Obama’s top advisers, Valerie Jarrett to an animal with Islamic connections. “Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby = vj,” she tweeted.

While this tweet is highly offensive, this is the kind of bad taste ‘joke’ one could expect from a foul-mouthed comedian. To be funny in today’s warped world of entertainment it seems you are expected to insult and demean others, but you still need to stay politically correct.

Joy Behar

In a similar incident, related to ABC, Joy Behar insulted US Vice President Mike Pence on air, suggesting his religious views made him mentally ill. “It’s one thing to talk to Jesus. It’s another thing when Jesus talks to you. That’s called mental illness, if I’m not correct, hearing voices,” she said.

Mental health is a huge area of concern today and describing the everyday act of prayer, which is practised by millions of Christians, a mental health issue is also highly offensive.

Both women offered their sincere apologies, one immediately, while the other took weeks to do so. One was fired on the spot and the other continues to be on TV. It’s not hard to see why ABC is being accused of hypocrisy. It’s not ok to make racist comments nor is it ok to joke about mental health or demean someone’s religion.

“The mainstream media need to understand the importance of faith, put hypocrisy aside and treat Christians with respect.”

In a country where freedom of speech is celebrated it seems incredible that a person can be fired for one tweet or inappropriate comment, especially if they have apologised. ABC is entitled to act as they see fit, however, they should act consistently and with the same force with regard to racist jokes as to inappropriate comments about mental health or faith. From a Christian perspective, we who are called to be peacemakers should challenge all parties to walk in forgiveness.

We can commend Valerie Jarrett’s response to the debacle: “I think we have to turn it into a teaching moment. I’m fine,” she said. “I’m worried about all the people out there who don’t have a circle of friends who come right to their defence… and those ordinary examples of racism that happen every single day.”

US Vice President, Mike Pence

We can also comment the Vice President’s response: While pointing out that the mainstream media are out of touch with the faith and values of the American people, he chose to forgive. “One of the things my faith teaches me is grace; forgive as you’ve been forgiven.”

It’s unfortunate that America remains a divided country and it seems Roseanne ended up on the wrong side of the political landscape for ABC. It’s time for Americans to unite, across the political divide and to start respecting each other again and especially the nation’s leaders.

Hopefully Roseanne has learnt a valuable lesson from this, but so have we. To be careful what we say even on Twitter. 280 characters can end your career in an instant. Let’s hope Joy will think twice before berating Christians or people with mental health issues. Other religions would not tolerate such abuse and neither should we, but unlike other religions we will respond with God’s love, His grace and His forgiveness.

ABC and the mainstream media need to start understanding the importance of the faith and values of the American people, put hypocrisy aside and treat Christians with respect.

May 31, 2018 0 comment

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