American Spectator (Dec.-Jan. 2000 issue) tells about the "Unborn-Again Bill Bradley." Once featured on a Fellowship of Christian Athletes trading card while playing with the New York Knicks, Bradley now lists his religion simply as "Protestant." Writer Paul Sperry says the Democratic Presidential hopeful, who once played professional basketball with blacks, cites the racism he saw in fundamentalist churches during the 1964 civil rights struggle was the main thing that drove him away.

In the fictional Star Trek universe, the relationship between the United Federation of Planets and the Klingon Empire paralleled the real world relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union during the cold war era. Fear, lack of trust, and hate characterized the association. In Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, the Klingon Empire suffers a catastrophe much like the collapse of the Soviet Union, and turns to the Federation for help, beginning a new peace initiative between the two. Conspirators from both sides refuse to let go of their old way of thinking and threaten to ignite a war that they’ve avoided for decades. Captain James Kirk of the Starship Enterprise enters into the middle of the conflict. Though he will not trust the Klingons and blames them for the death of his only son, Captain Kirk faces a difficult decision. He can maintain an outmoded way of thinking or embrace uncomfortable change that could save many lives and pave the way toward a new future, the undiscovered country.

Both Captain Kirk and Spock see the reality of their own prejudice when they confront Lieutenant Valeris, a Vulcan who was part of the conspiracy that threatened to destroy them. She accuses Kirk and Spock of betraying the Federation, and endangering everything they have worked for. To prevent a war, they must overcome their fear and prejudices, and boldly go where they have not gone before.

Option 1: Play scene From Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Chapter 12 1:31:40 to 1:33:46 and make application.

Option 2: Describe scene and make application

Kirk and Spock are both feeling betrayed by the prejudice that prevented them from seeing the truth. Kirk enters Spock’s cabin and finds his first officer resting on his bed. As Kirk enters, Spock admits, “You were right, it was arrogant presumption that got us into this situation. You and the doctor might have been killed.”

Kirk raises an eyebrow and quips, “The night is still young.” Pondering Spock’s words for a moment, Kirk continues, “You said it yourself. It was logical. Peace is worth a few personal risks.” He pauses to gather his thoughts and continues, “You’re a great one for logic. I’m a great one for rushing in where angels fear to tread.” Kirk pauses a second more and then says, “We’re both extremists. Reality’s probably somewhere in between.” He looks at the wall, remembering the past, and then begins softly, “I couldn’t get past the death of my son.”

Thinking of Valeris’ treachery, Spock adds, “I was prejudiced by her accomplishments as a Vulcan.” Kirk nods his understanding and says, “Gorkon had to die before I understand how prejudiced I was.” Hearing this, Spock sits up and asks reflectively, “Is it possible that we two, you and I, have grown so old and so inflexible that we have outlived our usefulness? “ He then adds “Would that constitute a joke?”

Kirk responds, “Don’t crucify yourself. It wasn’t your fault.” Disagreeing Spock says, “I was responsible...” Interrupting, Kirk finishes the sentence, “For no actions but your own.” Spock responds, “That is not what you said at your trial.” Kirk smiles, “That was as Captain of the ship, but you and me.” Before Kirk can finish the thought, Spock interrupts, “But captain we both know that I am not human.” The captain looks at his friends and says, “Spock, you want to know something? Everybody’s human.”

Ignoring the Vulcan, Kirk finds a new confidence to move beyond the prejudice that has cost him and Spock so dearly. Prejudice can fool anyone, but the Captain knows how to proceed. Returning to the mission to stop the conspiracy, Kirk adds, “Come on. I need you.”

-- Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Chapter 12 1:31:40 to 1:33:46. Illustration by Jim L. Wlson and Jim Sandell

Application: Prejudice blinds us to the truth. It can lead to the extremes of hate and distrust, or cause us to ignore the obvious actions of another. Christ calls all people into His body. He has broken down the barriers that keep us apart. We must allow the Lord to confront us regarding our prejudices if we hope to discover the blessings He has in store for us.

Colossians 3:10-14 (GW) and you've become a new person. This new person is continually renewed in knowledge to be like its Creator. Where this happens, there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, uncivilized person, slave, or free person. Instead, Christ is everything and in everything. As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. Put up with each other, and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Above all, be loving.This ties everything together perfectly.

In a historic meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, in June 2012, messengers elected Dr. Fred Luter president of their convention. The election was historic, because he is the first African American president of the convention since its founding in 1845.

Less than two months into his presidency, Luter issued a statement that included the following words: "We just have to be aware that the enemy will use anything he can to come against our churches and our ministries with something like this. And so we've always got to be aware that the enemy is out to kill, steal and destroy…It's unfortunate that it happened, but we've got to learn from it, and be able to go on and do what God has called us to do.”

He’s speaking about First Baptist Crystal Springs, a 150-year-old church in Mississippi. The reason was that a black couple, Charles and Te'Andrea Wilson, had to move their wedding to another location, instead of First Baptist, just one day prior to the event. The church's pastor officiated their wedding on July 21, 2012 at a nearby African American church after explaining to the couple that some of the members objected to the wedding because it involved a black couple.

"I didn't want to have a controversy within the church and I certainly didn't want a controversy to affect the wedding of Charles and Te'Andrea. I wanted to make sure that their wedding day was a special day" the pastor told a local television station. -- Jim L. Wilson and David Powell

As we come to truly believe the gospel, it breaks through all barriers: racial, national, cultural, educational and economic barriers. We simply cannot love God and not love others.

Acts 10:34-35 (ESV) (34) So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, (35) but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

The movie 42 is about Jackie Robinson’s breaking baseball’s color barrier in 1946. The movie gives a glimpse into Robinson’s Christianity and the part it played in his heroic life. There are many other parts to his life that Jesus Christ had a direct part in.

The movie doesn’t explain how Robinson used Jesus’ “turn the other cheek” teaching from the Sermon on the Mount to combat racism. It also shines light on the Christian character of Branch Rickey that brought Robinson to the big leagues in the first place.--Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

World, April 20, 2013, p. 23

Matthew 5:16 (ESV) In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Prejudice

There remains one form of prejudice in modern culture that is growing and deemed socially acceptable. In a recent study, 49% of Republicans and 33% of Democrats said they would be upset if their son or daughter married someone affiliated with the other political party. That is up from 1960 when the percentages were 5% and 4%. “In study after study, political scientists are finding that Republicans and Democrats view each other with a growing disdain that borders on hatred.”

Ezra Klein and Alvin Chang, writing in Vox.com conclude, “It’s the one form of bigotry that’s still acceptable, with entire TV networks devoted to making Democrats or Republicans look stupid and dangerous. Partisanship now strongly influences our choice of friends, where we choose to live, what sources of information we allow into our homes and devises—even who we love.”

It remains for Christ Followers to remember the words of scripture, that in Jesus Christ we are all one. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Colossians 3:11 (HCSB)“In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.”