The Antithesis to the Search for God

A little-noticed national news item recently reported the death of 96-year-old Judge Damon J. Keith.

One of the nation’s longest-serving federal judges, he was a tireless champion of civil rights and civil liberties. Grandson of slaves, he revealed in an interview what it was like growing up.

“I never had a black teacher. And the Fisher YMCA was right across from Northwestern high school. Blacks could not go to that Fisher Y. There wasn’t a black police officer above the rank of sergeant. There were no black judges. There were no black elected officials.”

When he went to college, Keith had to sit in the back of the train because of his race. He served in a segregated army in World War II.

“There’s not a day in my life in some way large or small, I’m not reminded of the fact that I’m black,” said Keith at age 92 in the same PBS interview.

People of Privilege

We white people simply can’t relate because, like the term or not, we are people of privilege. That shouldn’t result in feelings of guilt but in feelings of empathy and determination to right the wrongs of racism.

Ah, THAT word again! It’s so disturbing. Typical reactions from white people are, “Not me.” or “I’ve heard about racism all my life but I don’t know what I’m supposed to do about it.”

I believe it starts with attitude. Many people believe that if a problem doesn’t affect them directly – or isn’t perceived that way – it’s not worth their attention.

The famous poem by Martin Niemoller, German Lutheran pastor and theologian who survived Nazi concentration camps, comes to mind.

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out —
     Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.

Apart from the incalculable harm done to victims of racism, the damage done to people who hold racist views receives little attention.

“This evil causes great harm to its victims, and it corrupts the souls of those who harbor racist or prejudicial thoughts,” says a letter on racism from the U.S. Catholic bishops.

Racism expresses itself in indifference toward violent racist acts. People searching for God can’t ignore any opportunity to condemn such violence.

African-Americans have long had to consider the probability of threats against them and their families. But white supremacists are now equal-opportunity haters, and they’ve been busy.

They Promote Love

Not surprisingly, many recent attacks have been against houses of worship because they promote love, justice and peace – ideals that fly in the face of racist hatred. The hateful acts have occurred in a synagogue in Pittsburgh and in mosques in New Zealand and in churches and hotels in Sri Lanka.

So why is racism incompatible with the search for God?

People who have limited knowledge of modern Scripture studies may refer to the racism of the Old Testament, with its violence and cruelty against non-Jews, as an argument against that view. But our understanding of God has evolved and the Judeo-Christian God is a God of peace and love.

People searching for God will acknowledge their own racism, the racism in society, and do all they can to be like the God who loves all his children.