For us, religion hasn't helped us transcend "race"-consciousness. As a matter of fact, we've seen and experienced a great deal of bigotry and hostility directed against us from members of organized religion.

In our lives, the transcendent change has come through an intense and vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. That relationship entails living according to the precepts in the Bible, to the best of our ability, not keeping the traditions of organized religion, family, or ethnic community. This is a 24-hour, 365 days a year lifestyle, not a set of rituals or customs we must keep. In a way, it might be a lot EASIER if the Christian lifestyle were a list of do's and don'ts, not a progressive and ongoing process as we experience it. As it is, the process is a humbling, exhausting, but ultimately joyful one.

Sometimes we do get down or disappointed when we see and experience unfortunate things, but we constantly strive to put those experiences in context of a larger view -- a loving God who ultimately is in control, and who fashions all things for the good in the lives of ourselves and others. God's unconditional love for us ought to (we feel) be reflected in generosity, compassion, and cooperation toward and with others.

Three statements wonderfully express our standpoint. Two are from the Bible, the other from a great poem.

1) 1 John 4:20-21:
If anyone says "I love God," and yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen....Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

2) Acts 17:26a
From one man (or blood) he [God] made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth...

3) From a poem by Helen Steiner Rice:
One day may we realize that all the earth, the seas, the skies
Belong to God who made us all, rich and poor, great and small,
And in our Father's holy sight, no man is yellow, black or white.
And peace on earth will not be found until we meet on holy ground
Where every man becomes a brother, who worships God and loves each other.

Congratulations to Interracial Voice on your 5th anniversary. May there be many more!!!! Thanks for speaking and writing your mind clearly and honestly. You're a wonderful encouragement and example. Keep up the good work!!

Steve and Ruth (founders of "A Place For Us, National")

Also by Steve and Ruth White:

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