XENOPHOBIA

From My Perspective - - - 

The world in which we live today is marked by sharp division among people! Historically, this has been a reality throughout world since time began. Conflict occurred within the first family when Cain became envious of his brother Abel - and killed him. As Biblical History unfolded, there was hostility between Israel and Egypt; Israel and Assyria; Israel and Babylon; the Jewish and Samaritan tensions; and the Christians with Rome. Why does this occur and how is it described. A Cultural Definition for Xenophobia is: “An unreasonable fear, distrust, or hatred of strangers, foreigners, or anything perceived as foreign or different.” 

As a youth being reared during World War II, there was a national disdain for Germany, Italy and Japan because of their reported atrocities and the manner in which our nation was being impacted. Few today can relate to food and gasoline rationing; waiting in lines to get sugar, coffee, meat, etc. Rubber and Leather was in short supply and shoe fashions were not a priority. The need for ration stamps and tokens that limited how much could be purchased within a set time. Automobiles were not manufactured during the years of the War. The factories had been converted over to making Tanks, Jeeps, Armaments and Munitions, Ships of every type and class, etc. All of this was based upon a sense of Patriotism, the War effort and ultimate Victory in Europe and the Far East. During those days, this country seemed to be more “religious” and prayer for the troops and nation were frequent. On the eve of D-Day, June 4, 1944, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed the nation, and said: “…in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer: Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity…They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest-until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violences of war. For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and good will among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home. Some will never return…And for us at home - fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas, whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them, help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice…With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy…Thy will be done, Almighty God. Amen!”

In the past 70 years, we have come a long way and changed drastically as a world and nation of people. In our land, it would be difficult for a President to lead the nation in Prayer. There would be protests from all kinds of people and groups. God is viewed with contempt and disdain. The term “God” is generalized, redefined  and marginalized. Prayers cannot be ended with “In Jesus’ Name” because some groups would be offended. As a people, we have been heading toward the slippery slope of destruction. Few seem to care and the philosophy of life is to live for today and not to be concerned with obligations of the future. Not only are we becoming fiscally bankrupt, we have been in a prolonged spiritual decline and almost bankrupt in terms of any submission to God and God Alone. Paul wrote in a very direct manner in I Corinthians 1:18-24,“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God…For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles.” Peter echoes these words when he wrote (I Peter 2:6-8), “For it stands in Scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame. So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.They stumble because they disobey the word…” This is our world that we are to engage with God’s Truth regardless of any personal cost or sacrifice. Are you doing what you can and should in this worthy cause? Don’t allow yourself to become xenophobic and marginalized. Consider these things with me!