Are You for Diversity and Inclusion?

Richard Hollerman

Recently I was reading an article and, behold, I found the following as a heading in the article. Take a look at the terms used and ask yourself (if you are a Christian) whether this is an honorable and righteous article and whether this should be part of our own statements.

The first term, “Equity,” according to my new dictionary, means “freedom from bias or favoritism” (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary). The Christian should be without bias or favoritism—or should he? In one sense, yes, but what else could this mean? Is the follower of Jesus to be free from bias? The Christian knows that he is to favor his brothers and sisters in Christ, more than others he knows. “Let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Galatians 6:10). We suppose that many would object that the Christian favors other Christians above others (see also Matthew 12:48-49; Mark 3:33-34).

The next term is “diversity.” The term can mean, “The inclusion of diverse people (as people of different races or cultures” (Ibid.). The Christian does love people from different cultures and he or she wants to bless them, according to the Word of God.  On the other hand, once again, the follower of Christ will want to prefer fellow-believers over and beyond other people. We are to appreciate other cultures, but (obviously) we cannot agree with or approve of all cultures.

Some are totally wrong. Some, especially in the past would kill their favored ones (such as the Aztec Indians). And, of course, some cultures promote evil and wicked religions that we must clearly reject. Others use “inclusion” to include various wicked sexual expressions and “orientations” that must be rejected.  There must be a way to utterly reject the wicked and accept the good.

What about the term “race”? Maybe we should mention that in one respect, we must recognize that there is only one “race” of people—the human race. We are aware that today people speak of the Caucasian “race,” the black “race,” the Asian “race,” the “native Indian” race, and others. These would be different ethnicities and not really different “races.” Ever since the time of Noah and his family (Genesis 6-9), there has been only one “race” of people on the earth—the human race.

Sadly we must say that “race” today has been used in a partisan sense to divide people.  People ask, “Are you of the white race,” or, “Are you part of the black race.” This usage is not only problematic but wrong. Whether our skin may be darker or lighter, we are to accept all, according to the will of God.

The third term, “inclusion,” can be problematic.  Today the word is used in a wicked way—a sinful way—that must be rejected.  Although the term seemingly is used in a variety of ways, it can mean that we are to “include” people of different beliefs, different cultures, and different views. Thus, it is used in an immoral way. It is true that, as Christians, we must include all people in our sphere of influence, but we must reject the idea that all cultures and all religions are acceptable. This is “pluralism” pure and simple.

No, religions are often evil and to be rejected. Lifestyles (such as sexual immorality—bisexualism, sodomy (homosexuality) and others, or fornication and adultery) must be rejected. In fact, from a Christian viewpoint, nearly all cultures, religions, sexual orientations, and the like, must be rejected. Nearly all of them are ungodly, wrong, and must be rejected.

Thus, when we speak of equity, inclusion, and diversity, we must realize that generally those who have coined the terms are using them for their own purposes. While the terms may have a good use, sadly, they are often (or normally) used in a sinful sense. Jesus said, “The mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart” (Matthew 12:34). Similarly, those who write as well as those who speak are using words to convey evil meanings. For this reason, the Christian must beware of the words that they use and also must reject the way that many people use these words.

What about you? Will you reject the humanistic and immoral ways that people use such terms? Will you use these terms in a right and godly way? Will you seek to reject the terms that many people accept and love? Will you reject the “politically correct” terms and seek to purify your speech by the Word of God?