It doesn’t say that dating someone of another race is wrong

Dear Chaplain: Is it wrong in God’s eyes to date someone who’s another race? I really want to ask this girl out but I haven’t because I’m afraid of how my parents will react. They’re so old school, religious and don’t think outside of the box. Signed, Right or Wrong Race

Dear Right or Wrong Race: Thanks for your question. Asking a girl out can very intimidating and especially if you think the person won’t live up to your parent’s expectations. Some religions do teach that it’s wrong to date a person of another race. Many of these religions misinterpret scriptures, such as Leviticus 19:19, which says, “Keep my decrees. Do not mate different kinds of animals. Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.” These scriptures often refer to agricultural laws and not moral laws. There are scriptures, however, that do speak against marrying people who worship other Gods. These scriptures refer to Christians being closely connected (such as in a marriage) with people of different religious of spiritual beliefs, because it’s difficult to live in harmony when you are attached to someone who serves a different God. Again, this has nothing to do with race. In fact, in Leviticus it also says to treat the foreigner in your land like a brother. Nowhere in the Bible does it tell us to disassociate ourselves with people because of their ethnicity, to devalue them, or to treat them badly. In fact, Moses’ brother and sister were rebuked by God for talking negatively about his Ethiopian wife. And Jesus who was a Jew, talked to a Samaritan woman, which was forbidden in that day because the Jews considered them half breeds. Nowhere in scripture will you find dating, mating or marrying someone of another race is wrong, because the truth is, we all come from the same dirt that formed Adam. I strongly suggest you to talk to your parents about your interest in this young lady and your fear of disappointing them. You just might gain their respect and possibly their support.

Dear Chaplain: My coworker and I were close friends. We used to go to lunch everyday together and talk at work and even outside of work. We got into a little spat about something silly. I got up from the table and walked away and we haven’t spoken since, that was months ago. I feel I did the right thing to keep the peace, but why do I feel so bad? Isn’t that what Jesus would do? Signed, No Peace

Dear No Peace: Thanks for your question. Having spats may make you feel uneasy and take you out of your comfort zone. Exiting the situation may have given you temporary peace, and time to gather yourself, which is a good thing; but, by not going back and ironing out your differences may have said to your co worker that you weren’t exiting the situation, but rather the relationship. Perhaps you feel bad because those weren’t your intentions. I don’t know what Jesus would have done in your case, but I do know that Jesus wouldn’t have easily been offended, but instead quick to forgive, as it says in Proverbs 19:11. And I know he instructs us in his Word not to let matters fester, but to immediately go back to those we’ve offended and to make amends (Matthew 5:23-24). I encourage you to take the first step in being reconciled with your co worker, and the next time a spat arises try not to be quick to leave, but rather quick to listen (James 1:19). Sometimes people don’t want to be right, they just want to be heard. Ask the Chaplain is written by Rev. Dayna Spence, an ordained minister, licensed evangelist, and chaplain who’s served as a hospital chaplain and is currently serving as a hospice chaplain Chester County area. Please email “Ask the Chaplain” at 4thechaplain@gmail.com or write to, PO Box 1284, West Chester, PA 19380.