The bible teaches that God made all humanity in his image, and calls for Christians to oppose racism of any kind.

God calls Christians to oppose racism and prejudice of any kind. Over the centuries, Christians have led campaigns to establish rights for groups who have been oppressed because of their race or ethnicity. Christians were at the heart of the drive to abolish slavery, the civil rights movement in the United States, and the move to end apartheid in South Africa. More recently, Christians have been prominent in the Black Lives Matter movement. But, to its shame, some parts of the Church have also misused and misinterpreted parts of the Bible to defend the evils of slavery and racism. The teachings and lifestyle of Jesus Christ during his time on earth 2,000 years ago demonstrate these practices are wrong. Jesus showed kindness and acceptance to people of other minority groups. For example, many of the Jewish people of the time hated and shunned the Samaritans, a neighboring mixed-race ethnic group. But Jesus engaged with them as equals. He even made them the heroes of one of the stories he used to teach his followers: The Good Samaritan. It is true that Jesus refers to slaves in some of his teachings and does not explicitly say slavery is wrong, but in the Bible book, Mark, he says, ‘love your neighbor as yourself…’ Slavery and racism are a clear violations of this principle.

God calls Christians to oppose racism and prejudice of any kind.

Respect for ethnic groups in the Bible

The laws which governed the lives of the Jewish people in the centuries before Jesus are set out in the Old Testament part of the Bible. Three groups of people are singled out for special protection because they were vulnerable: orphans, widows, and people of other races who lived in the land. The Bible book, Exodus, says, ‘do not oppress or mistreat a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt…’ Laws were established to let other ethnic groups thrive in situations where they might otherwise suffer. And in the early years of the Christian church in the first century after Jesus’ life, there is teaching about the equality of all people, whatever race, gender, or status. The Bible book, Galatians, says, ‘There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus….’ People of colour were appointed to positions of leadership in those first churches. For instance, among the leaders of the church in Antioch, was Simeon. The Bible book Acts, notes that he had black skin.

The efforts of Christian figures such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu to end apartheid in South Africa and the Revd Dr. Martin Luther King, a Baptist minister, in opposing segregation in the USA, are well documented. Christians such as William Wilberforce led the campaign to abolish slavery in the 19th century. But it cannot be overlooked that there are dark chapters in Christian history where there has been hatred and cruelty by one race against another. In the 12th century, England a rumor that King Richard had ordered a massacre of Jewish people led to bloodshed by Christians. The Crusades, which began in the 11th century, is part of a shameful legacy of violence against Muslims. The hatred demonstrated by the white supremacist Ku Klux Klan against people of colour in the United States began as a movement apparently endorsing Protestant Christian values. It has since been denounced by every Christian denomination.

Christians now would say the racism exhibited by churches in previous generations was based on ignorance and misunderstanding of the Bible. This was even expressed in art: for hundreds of years, Jesus Christ was depicted as a blue-eyed, blond man despite the fact that he was Jewish and had been born in the Middle East. Some Christians would point to more subtle forms of racism which continue, deliberately or unintentionally. Many are frustrated by what some call institutional racism in public bodies such as the Church which has, at times, held back the careers of people of colour. But progress is being made towards a Church that reflects the Christian teaching that God made all humanity in his image.

We all are covered by the same Christ, we are all one in Christ. It’s in the Bible, Galatians 3:26-28, ^“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Racism is a sin. It’s in the Bible, James 2:8-9, NIV. “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself,’ you are doing right. But if you show favouritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.”

All men have the same blood. It’s in the Bible, Acts 17:26, KJV. “And has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth.”

We are not to think of ourselves more highly than others. It’s in the Bible, Romans 12:3, NKJV. “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt with each one a measure of faith.”

We will be judged on how we treat others, for how we treat others is how we would treat Jesus. It’s in the Bible, Matthew 25:40, NKJV. “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”

God accepts people from every race, culture and nation. It’s in the Bible, Acts 10:34,35, NIV. “Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.'”

God’s place of worship is to be a gathering for all nations. It’s in the Bible, Mark 11:17, NKJV. “Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’

The gospel is for every person in the world. It’s in the Bible, Revelation 14:6, NIV. “Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people.”

In Heaven, we all will worship the Lord together. It’s in the Bible, Isaiah 66:22, NIV.  “As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the LORD, “so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the LORD.”

BY PATRICK EGWU

Azubuike Muodum, a Nigerian migrant living in Johannesburg, South Africa has not had his worst COVID-19 fears realized.

“When the [pandemic] started, I thought it was a disease that is going to kill everyone, more like an end-time plague,” Muodum told Sojourners in May.

Still, the last two years have had challenges. Muodum runs a small-scale restaurant in the central business district of Johannesburg, South Africa; he says the pandemic and subsequent lockdown created a “huge burden” for him and his restaurant. While countries like the United States begin returning to post-pandemic life, Muodum and others who emigrated to South Africa are facing the challenges of a still-spreading COVID-19.

In addition, non-locals like Muodum face xenophobia from the locals as they seek to survive in a foreign country. In September last year, amid the COVID-19 disruptions, thousands of South Africans marched across major streets and cities, calling for people who have emigrated from Nigeria and Zimbabwe to leave South Africa.

According to the International Organization for Migration, migrants worldwide are more vulnerable than others because of personal, social, situational, and structural factors. The IOM also says these vulnerabilities may be exacerbated in crisis situations like the pandemic.

While Muodum said he has never personally been a victim of xenophobic violence, he has seen mobs destroy property and attack people because of their nationality.

Polite Chitagu moved to South Africa as a migrant from her home country, Zimbabwe, in 2015. Since then, she has been living in the country with her two kids. She owns a convenience store in Hillbrow, a popular migrant community in Johannesburg.

After the South African government imposed a 21-day lockdown on March 26, 2020, Chiragu closed her shop. Chitagu said the store is her main source of income, and she is not yet recouped from the pandemic’s disruptions.

“We have all been affected and the problem is still here,” she said. “And we can’t go back to our country because people there are suffering economic hardship too and it’s becoming worse by the day.”

Chitagu said the lockdown was “the most difficult period for them,” as they were stuck in a one-room apartment and could only go out to buy groceries.

“… people were spending the little they earned before the lockdown,” she said. “Relief supplies were not available and the government’s intervention was in short supply.”

Keeping faith alive amid the pandemic

For Christians who have emigrated like Muodum and Chitagu, faith has been a source of hope throughout the pandemic. Muodum is a parishioner at St. John’s Catholic Church in North Riding, Johannesburg. Before the lockdown, Muodum attended Sunday and weekday services.

As COVID-19 cases increased, Muodum’s parish announced it was shutting its doors and beginning virtual services.

“Nobody could go to church because everywhere was closed, so we had to live indoors with our faith,” he said. “I [went] online to join [service] during prayers and also read my Bible with my family at home.”

In June 2020, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, relaxed the lockdown and allowed places of worship in the country to reopen under strict conditions. For Muodum, the ability to attend physical communion services was a big relief.

The South African Catholic Bishops Conference said that services would be held with precautionary measures, limiting the number of worshippers to 50 people, and mandating face masks and social distancing.

Associations like the South African Council of Churches have been working with the government and other religious groups to raise awareness about the pandemic and how worshippers can keep safe while attending church.

Churches in the country have also been providing relief supplies and financial aid to Christians affected by the pandemic.

“We are called to support each other in time of need,” Rev. Wilfrid Napier, Metropolitan Archbishop of Durban, South Africa and head of the Inter-Religious Council told Sojourners. “[COVID-19] has affected not only our fellow Christians, but everyone around the world, and that is why we need to help during these difficult times.”

In April 2020, Napier and other Christian associations donated $74,000 for COVID-19 relief efforts.

“This is the time for sacrifice,” he said. “Anyone who is able to support should join hands in helping for the sake of humanity.”

Xenophobic attacks and political tensions

While aggression has heightened in the pandemic, South Africa has a history of xenophobic attacks toward non-locals in South Africa — often aimed at those from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Lesotho, or Malawi.

In 2008, locals attacked foreigners, killing more than 60 migrants, according to reports from Reuters. Hundreds were injured, and businesses and properties were either looted or destroyed.

Locals have accused non-native inhabitants of coming to their country to commit crimes or to take away locals’ jobs. South Africa’s last census, conducted in 2011, said there were 2.2 million foreigners living in the country. Anti-migrant xenophobic attacks have been reported in the coastal city of Durban in March of this year.

“It’s a shame that this was happening when people are still suffering the impact of the pandemic and lockdown on their lives and livelihood,” Muodum said. “Whenever [violence] starts happening, I pray it does not come to our side or affect our friends and fellow migrants here.”

During the latest attacks two months ago, church leaders and activists gathered in support of the victims and called on the government to take serious action to end xenophobic attacks on migrants and prosecute culprits.

Rev. Robert Munekani, the pastor at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, said that it was “always wrong” to tell others to “go back [to their own country].”

“We should always learn to live as one, as a community in Christ,” he told Sojourners. “Everyone needs to stand up and condemn this no matter your beliefs.”

There are also growing concerns over what is known as “medical xenophobia” — discrimination in healthcare access, especially among undocumented migrants.

Yemi Fobajo, a Nigerian migrant living in the Eastern Cape, said his wife was poorly treated in 2019 when she visited a local hospital in their area for the birth of their child.

“She was asked for her hospital card and registration, she provided them but she was left unattended for more than two hours until she launched a complaint,” he said. “The discrimination is glaring, especially when the services are based in the rural areas.”

When his wife was nearing the time for delivery, Fabajo said they went to another hospital that was “more acceptable and receptive.”

South Africa has logged over 2 million cases and 62,000 deaths. The country has fully vaccinated just under 480,000 people, less than one percent of the population. As the country moves toward vaccinating the general public, migrants like Muodum and Chitagu are concerned about xenophobia affecting their chances of receiving a shot.

Government officials have given conflicting statements regarding whether migrants would receive the vaccine in an equitable manner. President Ramphosa said that the government would seek to make the vaccine available to all adults in South Africa, but Health Minister Dr Zwelini Mkhize said only registered South African citizens would receive the vaccine.

“Everything is in God’s hands,” Muodum said. “There is nothing you can do without his protection, and I know this pandemic will also come to an end so that we all have our lives back like before.”

Patrick Egwu

Patrick Egwu is a Nigerian freelance journalist currently based in Johannesburg, where he is an Open Society Foundation Fellow at the University of Witwatersrand. His works have been published by African Arguments, Ozy, National Catholic Reporter, Global Sisters Report and other platforms.