Life's Discriminating Paradox

611 words

         From the time we started hearing the word “discrimination” in the 70’s, we developed a negative denotation and connotation from it. We abhorred it. We tried to stay far away from it as far away as we could. We did not want to be associated with it. The reason was simple: the meanings we learned from the word, as it was used, were to be biased, bigoted, unfair, prejudiced or intolerant. These are all heavily negative.

         Just wait a minute though. Does the word really mean only those negative concepts? Has anybody thought to look up the meaning of the word?

         Last night at our Bible Study, the word came up. Well, I made it come up in relation to our study of Romans 12 where Paul admonishes us on how to live a true Christian life. We see how his teachings have broken away from the Old Testament Judaic laws. Where there was “an eye for an eye” and a “tooth for a tooth,” he now says, “recompense no one evil for evil.”

         In the Old Testament, God instructed his people to kill all the enemies; he instructed his men and women not to marry foreigners as well. He wanted his people pure and unadulterated.

         The principles of being pure and unadulterated remained with Paul’s teachings because as Christians we are to be set apart. Therefore, I pointed out, we inherited a discriminating character or attitude from the Bible itself.

         Biblically, God made Adam and Eve and placed them in a garden. There were other people he made (see Gen. 1:27-28), but he picked certain individuals to carry out his plan and purpose for procreation. All through the Bible, God favored the Jews over the Gentiles. He punished the Jews when they strayed away from godliness but in the grand scheme of things, the Jewish nation will prevail in the end. In simple terms, he played favorites.

         The word favorite is one aspect of the word discrimination. That word is not all negative. It has positive characteristics as well.
         Our facilitator corrected my way of thinking saying there was a difference. When referring to Biblical principles and teachings, the appropriate word is discerning.

         I wanted to differ with him, but I did not want to create a lengthy discussion with the limited time that we had. Besides, I had not researched the word deeply enough to be able to engage in an educated exchange and defend my stand.

         In order to educate myself and share it with whomever is discerning, I referred to my Roget’s Thesaurus as a discriminating authority. Unbelievably, discerning is but one sliver of the word, just as the word favorite is; discrimination has an implication that goes far beyond what we have been hearing and is made to accept. So, here is what Roget’s Thesaurus showed me:
•          discriminate – distinguish, tell apart, differentiate, separate, categorize, classify
                       singled out, show favoritism, show prejudice, favor, victimize
•          discriminatory – biased, prejudiced, unfair, bigoted, inequitable
•          discrimination –  v. bias, favoritism, prejudice, unfairness, inequity, bigotry, intolerance; n. taste, good taste, judgment, discernment, insight, acumen, perception, refinement
•          discriminating – discerning, sharp, astute, selective, judicious, perceptive, tasteful, cultivated, refined

         Based upon the above definitions, the positive aspect of “discrimination” and its related words are part of what Paul was saying Christians’ lifestyle should be.

         When we show good judgment, we are discriminating; when we are selective in the friends we keep, we are discriminating; when we show refinement and finesse, we are discriminating; when we are discerning, we are discriminating.

         So, let’s not trash the word altogether. It has its place in our daily vocabulary and paradoxical way of living.