encountered, Europeans have posed a
threat to people everywhere.
These criticisms of the European
role in world history are often made,
and there is a widespread interest in
righting the wrongs of the past. Of
course, the various European nations
never saw themselves as perpetrating
injustices, but as bringing civilization
and Christianity to the world, and
as pursuing their national interests
in competition with other nations.
Nor was bad behavior confined to
Europeans. Warfare, slavery and
cruelty have existed in virtually every
part of the world to varying degrees.
Today the technology and values
of Western culture exert a strong influence everywhere. Is it surprising
that conservative elements in many places resent and resist these inroads?
Understanding this dynamic goes a long way to explaining, for example,
Islamic fundamentalism, its resistance to the “corruption” emanating from the
West, and their resorting to terrorism as a way of opposing nations that they
cannot challenge militarily.
If all the world’s
population groups
were isolated from each
other, with no contact
between them, racism
would be unknown. As
this is neither possible
nor desirable, we need
to deal with racism.
The struggle against racism is key
If all the world’s population groups were isolated from each other, with no
contact between them, racism would be unknown. As this is neither possible
nor desirable, we need to deal with racism.
The New Church teaches clearly that racism is wrong:
The Lord’s life is mercy, which is that of love towards the whole human race. Those
people cannot possibly be drawing on the life that is the Lord’s who, although they
profess the truths of faith, despise others in comparison with themselves. (Arcana
Coelestia 2261)
I can love all in the universe according to their religion, not more those in my own
country than in other kingdoms, nor more those in Europe than in Africa. (Charity
89)
Those who love fairness, judiciousness, sincerity and the kindness that comes from
charity, and particularly those who love faith in and love to the Lord, do so because
they love what is inside a person without regard to what is outside him. (True
Christian Religion 449)
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