Mixed Races

• Messages sorted by:[ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]

> The three mixed race children (one
> black/white, two unknown) are being raised by white parents.

First, this is one of those topics which has been a *very hot* topic on
this list.  Please please please PLEASE address this with civility.
Take a look at the archives if you want to see how uncivil things can
get on this topic.

> They are just young children now, but How do I handle the situation of
> them dating in the event that the Lord tarries?

They have to find companions with the same exact ethic mix.  Not
really :-)

My opinions:  I don't believe the scripture restricts people of
different "races" from "mixing."  Something my pastor likes to say is
"the only race for Christians is the race you run."

I myself am mixed race; since my wife is a blue-eyed/blond/pale-skinned
Swede, our son is also "mixed race" I suppose, and he's a really
handsome and well-adjusted kid if I say so myself :-).

I've never had problems with my "heritage" or anything like that:  I've
always identified myself as an American.  The only time I have
difficulty is when I'm filling out a government forms that ask me what
race I am since I can generally check three of the boxes on the list
(my background includes that many continents).

>From a naturalistic viewpoint, restricting people from dating based on
their race is an arbitrary matter.  There are some obvious physical
differences between a Dane and an Ethiopian.  Should a Dane marry a
German?  If that's okay, about about a Dane and a Spaniard?  A Dane and
an Italian? How about a Turk? A Dane and a Morroccan (still somewhat
light-skinned) or Egyptian?  How about moving a few hundred miles south
from Egypt?  Why shouldn't the Ethiopian marry the Dane?

Usually, a desire to counsel mixed-race couples from marrying is based
on good intentions ("But what about the children?" is the usual
concern), but the concerns expressed are generally based on anecdotal
evidence and are (okay, I'll say it) misguided at best.

If the family wasn't Christian this might be a realistic concern I
suppose, but the Church is definitely not a place where people should
feel ostracized because of their skin color.  Christians have a common
heritage that transcends race, ethnicity, or culture.

I am well aware that many reading this believe that such counseling is
based on racist attitudes.  They will say that perhaps the attitude is
subconscious, but it's there nonetheless.  I understand where this
belief comes from, but I don't agree with this viewpoint, though I do
know from first-hand experience that racist attitudes concerning
relationships do exist.

As far as my son is concerned, I don't care what color woman he picks
for a wife as long as she is a dedicated Christian.  I know there's a
good amount of opposition to my opinion on this list concerning this
matter of mixed-race relationships, but this is where I stand.

Richard "red and yellow black and white" Masoner
richardm@cd.com