Should Christians Protest Discrimination and Racism?

“But Pastor, is it okay to protest?” “Did Jesus ever do it? Didn’t He just preach the Gospel and didn’t waste His time doing that kind of thing?” “Don’t you think we should stop wasting our precious time in distractions and just preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ?” “This is all politics.”

These are some questions and comments we have heard during the last few weeks. Actually, some of these, we have heard for years. They come from pastoral colleagues, family members, brothers and sisters in our churches, and the community in general. Some churches emphasize the whole protestant movement as an illustration of protesting certain spiritual wrongs and societal behaviors. And with the 4th of July upon us, shouldn’t we take the time to reflect historically on our own country’s constitutional foundations of religious freedom and human rights, a protesting movement for independence from church dominance and/or kingly powers.

So, I believe, it is not out of character to ask the question, “Is it OK for Christians to protest discrimination and racism?”

For Christians, Jesus is the one we should always begin with, right? How did Jesus respond to discrimination and racism? These twin social maladies came in many different forms in the Roman world of Christ’s day: it was religious, social, economic, gender, and even racial in nature. The poor, prostitutes, publicans, women, lepers, and gentiles were all discriminated against. In fact, in the Christian Church of Christ’s day, the social relationship with the Samaritans is an egregious example of targeted racism, because they were of mixed heritage and despised and discriminated by the Jews.

For instance, when Jesus went from Judea to Galilee, He decided to invest time talking to a Samaritan woman, of poor reputation. (John 4:1-42). By doing this, Jesus was clearly saying: “Samaritan Lives Matter!” When He set the Good Samaritan as the example above the Jewish priest and Levite, He was cutting to the chase of the racism of His time and clearly affirming: “Samaritan Lives Matter!” (Luke 10:25-37)

Jesus did not remain quiet before any of these forms of discrimination and racism. He spoke up! Each time He issued a public command or an admonition to care for the poor and the least of these, ate with prostitutes and publicans, touched and healed a leper or someone who was unclean, He was protesting the discrimination and injustice of His time. Jesus commanded us, His followers, to love our enemies, turn the other cheek, walk the extra mile, and give our coat, making it clear that loving people and standing against injustice, abuse, and discrimination are not mutually exclusive, they go hand in hand.

This is a clear reminder that we cannot call ourselves loving Christians while we sit silently and allow people, whom we claim to love and whom we wish to save, to suffer unjustly at the hands of others!

Jesus cooperated with the government of His day and said, “Give to Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar” yet He took an active role as many marched and exalted Him during His triumphal entry to Jerusalem in fulfillment of prophecy (Matthew 21:1-11). Today, many would have said, “Look at Jesus being political.”

As He participated in that triumphal entry march, in my opinion, He established that His Kingdom of grace, love, and compassion was far better than the abusive and ruthless Roman Empire. The Jews hated his ministry so much that they collaborated with the Romans to crucify Him a few days later. Sad to say, but this is somewhat, in character at least, the way we have treated some people of color, protestors or civil rights leaders of our day.

In response to the recent racial turmoil and aftermath of the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd and others: I want declare “As Christians we condemn such actions of hate and violence and call for justice to be served for the victims and their families. I urge all church members to prayerfully consider how they interact with everyone in their communities. I ask you to speak out against injustice and hatred, just as Jesus did when He was on this earth.”

The Adventist Church, as a local and world-wide church, believes that the body of Christ is made up of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. 

We deplore all forms of racism and have personally declared, “Racial discrimination is an offense against our fellow human beings, who were created in God’s image. In Christ “there is neither Jew nor Greek” (Gal. 3:28). Therefore, racism is really a heresy and in essence a form of idolatry, for it limits the fatherhood of God by denying the brotherhood of all mankind and by exalting the superiority of one’s own race.” (https://www.adventist.org/articles/racism/)

So, should Christians protest discrimination and racism? If Jesus did it and encourages us to do it, then perhaps we should!