The Mississippi Enterprise

THE BROTHERHOOD OF MAN. A CHRISTIAN IDEAL

The struggle for human rights and human dignity is as old as the human race. Prophets, seers and philosophers have always challenged existing practices and emphasized the worth of the individual. All through the Old Testament, we find a growing vision of the brotherhood of men: then Christ came to declare it; but even in our enlightened age, the idea is still a vision in men's minds.

In spite of our religions and Christian teachings, we find our world today torn with strife, hatred and suspicions . . . man against man, race against race, religion against religion. We find these differences not only on a global scale but within nations and states. In communities we find differences of opinion, and even families are torn with strife.

Why is this? Is it because we are basically selfish? Is it because we want something for ourselves which we are unwilling to share? Is it because we feel ourselves superior? Is it because our social class maintains cultural and economic barriers which prevent intimate social contacts? Is it because people in certain groupings or with different ethnic backgrounds develop standard ways of conduct and thinking, which are not agreeable with other peoples?

As we look at our world today, we find cleavages according to religion—Catholic, Protestant, Jew, Hindu, Islamic, etc. There are cleavages according to ethnic origin. We see, for example, people of Slavic beginnings seeking each other. We find cleavages according to social prestige, such as professional groups which seek each other, labor groups, etc. Then, of course, we find cleavages according to race. These cleavages are all within the scope and influence of the Christian faith. One would not deny that the particular groupings are essential, desirable and worth while. We would not take away the personality of an individual or a group. This would be utter folly, and bring about great confusion and unhappiness.

Yet in a Christian culture, we deplore and are profoundly disturbed by the lack of understanding and appreciation of one group for another. The hatreds and strife which have been gendered between groups smack of communist influence on people who let agitators do their thinking for them.

What is the position the church should take? We need first of all to remember that the primary task of the Church is NOT to rally people to be integrationists or segregationists, but, rather to call people to love and understand each other. (Sometimes we Christians spend too much time criticizing and too little time loving and praying for those with whom we disagree.) Christians believe that free men, regardless of race, color or religion must stand together against tyranny and oppression in order to remain free.

Neither the integrationist nor the segregationist has solved the complex problems which arise from jealousies, exploitation, cultural conflicts and racial hatreds. Both groups have succeeded in generating fear, apprehensions and misunderstanding. The Christian mandate to "Love thy neighbor as thyself" and the Golden Rule are the principles upon which we can build mutual respect, understanding and goodwill.

Southern people are not alone in opposing abrupt and unwelcome change in long established man-made customs. People resent being forced to change their way of life. If we Southerners do not want other people's cultures imposed on us, we should be very careful that we do not try to impose our wills, which deprive others of their constitutional and Christian rights, on them.

We Southerners can afford to be more tolerant of people who do not look like us. We can be kind and generous and loving: and we can accept people who are different, as our brothers in Christ. We can pray and seek Divine guidance, knowing that "our God is able to do exceeding, abundantly more than we can ask or think." if we seek Him with open minds and hearts. God created this world with all its creatures; and He placed on MAN the responsibility of keeping peace and harmony. Yet, we have made of His world a shambles as far as human relationships are involved. UnChristian relationships lead to tyranny and oppression.

We might well heed the calls to brotherhood as found in the great hymns of the church:

Lift up our hearts, O king of kings
To brighter hopes and kindlier things.
To vision of a larger good.
And holier dreams of brotherhood.

Thy world is weary of its pain,
Of selfish greed and fruitless gain,
Of tarnished honor, falsely strong,
And all its ancient deeds of wrong

Almighty Father, who dost give
The gift of life to all who live,
Look down on all earth's sin and strife
And lift us to a nobler life.

-No. 472 The Methodist Hymnal.