"INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE"
By Dr. Hoyt W. Allen, Jr.
I was asked the question, "Does the Bible condemn people from two different races to marry?". If one can find Scripture to answer this in the positive - they are doing better than I am. However, there may not be a "Thus saith the Lord" against "Interracial Marriage", but that does not mean that our society is ready for it. Those becoming involved in interracial dating which leads to interracial marriage are in for some "rough sledding". However, this is a personal decision.
American history teaches that when the white man (English or French foreigners) married a "redskin squaw" (American Indian), he received a great deal of hassle from the white brothers and she likewise from her redskin brothers. Also, when the American GI's began returning home with their oriental warbrides following WWII, they faced much opposition. This has lessened in time, as He is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34).
I was once told of a white (Caucasian) couple who had two white children. When their third child was born she was black (negro). You can imagine the family's reaction, as well as the response of the community. But, after an investigation into the ancestry (genealogy) of the white father, it was discovered that his great-great-grandmother was a mulatto. She was born in 1850 to a Negro slave and was fathered by a white plantation owner in Virginia. She was very "Light Complexioned" and following the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln 1863 was taken as the wife of a white farm hand. They had a daughter who was white. This white daughter married a white man and they likewise had a white daughter. Then, this daughter married a white man and had a white son (the father of this story). After giving birth to two white children, and really not knowing that her husband had any negro blood in him, she gave birth to a black (negro) baby. Why? Because of the dominant genes that just happened to turn up in this generation.
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All students of science realize that this can happen. But people are still human and sorry to say, are still very prejudiced particularly in regard to interracial marriage. Those who date and then marry one of another race create great problems, not only for themselves, but for their children and future generations. Quite often, the white woman who marries the black man will be shunned by the black women, as they feel she has stolen one of their potential candidates for marriage.
It has been a common practice throughout history for people of the same race to "Settle In" with those of their own kind. Thus, as foreigners began arriving in America it was understandable why large cities had its' Chinatowns, etc..
It was only normal following the freedom of American negro slaves for these folk to feel more comfortable together than apart. They understood one another's hurts and needs. However, the marrying of those of a different color skin has never been accepted in our land. Most Americans say that it is the kids who will bear the brunt of the matter. To this - I agree! The above stated situation concerning the arrival of a black child following the births of two white children should be enough to cause people to avoid interracial marriage.
May we never be one who contends that one race is superior to another, as Adolph Hitler attempted to do, and like some well meaning Bible students today claim that God's people are the Jews (Israel). God's chosen people are "Christians" (Obedient followers of Jesus, regardless of race, sex, position in society, etc.). Read Galatians 3:7,26-29; 6:15,16.
In conclusion - may we not "Look Down" upon anyone from another race, as we may someday discover that we have blood in our veins of another race. However, the most important teaching is this, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecclesiastes 12:13). The important thing in life is to “get right with God”, and to stay on track as the “Good Book” teaches.
KYOWVA
Evangelistic Association1541 S. 7th Street * Ironton, OH 45638
Web Page: www.kyowva.com