Racial Harmony (and Racism)

Sunday's News. Quoted from a minister (in essence). In lieu of the first ever religious discussion between religious leaders of Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam of Singapore. "We fear that (the new generation) of Singaporeans will take racial harmony for granted. What we have here is something unique, achieved only through the past four decades of racial harmony campaigns. Nowhere else do we see such open-minded discussions and voicing on sensitive religious issues as we have seen here (today)."

C.f. http://www.kkk.bz/

The American Dream. Martin Luther King, Jr. "I have a dream." speech. 28 August 1963.
"... In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." ..."

How far is America from her ideals? Are they moving towards it or away from it? Can America be considered a Christian nation? Are the conflicts with the Middle East just another Crusade ala King Richard V during the Dark Ages (I think)?

Radical Islam. Quoted from a documentary watched on.. Discovery Channel? i think. Osama bin Laden's Spy (in America). The spy himself said that "There IS no middle ground, you either Are, or you're Not." and "It's not a suggestion, it is an Obligation, to submit people under Islam and Islamic laws." ie. they're bent on enforcing Islamic laws on the World. Remember Taliban of Afganistan?

I say. The first step away from racism is to accept that there IS racism, and to accept that we're all born different. Neither superior nor inferior, just different. Lets not extrapolate our materialistic and meritocratic ideals upon the differences of our race, for no value can be placed on the color of your skin.

Before I end, I'd like to quote this verse. 2Kings5:18-19.
"'So I hope that the LORD will forgive me when I accompany my king to the temple of Rimmon, the god of Syria, and worship him. Surely the LORD will forgive me!' 'Go in peace,' Elisha said. And Naaman left. ..."
The prophet Elisha was a citizen of Israel, and Naaman was the commander of the Syrian army. Naaman believed in God, but is Syrian, hence this exchange with Elisha. Before his encounter with Elisha, Naaman was a non-believer.
New Christians, who've so devoutly adhered to your newfound religion, that you turn your backs on your elders when they call upon you for your obligations to dying traditions and rites of the foreign religion. Heed this, and remember, our Father is a merciful God, and He will not shun His children who show filial piety to their parents and elders. So long as you remain faithful, and know that it is by His forgiveness that you are saved.
This I believe, for I was taught that my God is a wonderful and merciful God.

Respect others for what they are, but hold true to what you are. Let the Holy Spirit work through you in spreading the Word, for who else would be wiser to handle such sensitivity but Him?