PREJUDICE Introduction Prejudice refers to a positive or a negative attitude or belief directed toward certain people based on their membership in a particular group. The root word of prejudice is "pre-judge." It is "a set of attitudes which causes, supports, or justifies discrimination. Prejudice refers to a tendency to "over categorize." Prejudiced people respond to
others in a more or less fixed way (Farley, 2000:18). Prejudice is contrasted with discrimination (behaviors). There are three general theories to explain the causes of prejudice. These theories view prejudice as based on: *Personality needs *Social learning and conformity *Social structure and economic position. The main drift of this section is the search for personality characteristics (a personality profile if you will) that would be predisposed toward prejudiced thought. Text Jonah 1:1-3; 2Sam 17:1-5; Luke 3:2; Mat 21:12-14 Read. Jonah 1:1-3 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. 3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. Jonah refused going to Nineveh because of prejudice. Having heard understood that Nineveh is the capital city of Asyrian and how Asyrian has dealt with Israel at the time past and nothing he could do to avenge, now that God asked him to go and preach to them, he concluded that, they better die so that Israel will be free but that is not how God works. Read 2Sam 17:1-5 1 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: 2 And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only: 3 And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace. 4 And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel. Why must a great counselor like Ahithophel who served King David as special adviser plot such evil against David? The reason is that, Bathsheba was a daughter of Eliam, one of David's "thirty" (2 Sam. 23:34; cf 1 Chr. 3:5); Eliam was the son of Ahitophel, David's chief advisors. Ahitophel was from Giloh(Josh. 15:51;cf 2 Sam. 15:12), a city of Judah, and thus Bathsheba was from David's own tribe and the grand daughter of one of David's closest advisors (Ahitophel) (2 Sam.15:12). Since all these while, Ahitophel kept the issue in mind waiting for a good opportunity to avenge for his son inlaw. Now that Absolom gained power, Ahitophel said 'let me now fight back' but the prayers of David canterised Ahitophel's wisdom and his plot failed. Read Luke 3:2; Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. Read Mat 21:12-13 12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. Mat 26:59 - 65 59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; 60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, 61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. 62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. Jesus being troubled by the high priests Annas and Caiaphas was because, where Annas and Caiaphas used to make money in temple, Jesus went and drove the people away and with that Annas and Caiaphas lost business this was what Annas and Caiaphas put in mind that makes the fight Jesus from every so that He will to give them chance to continue their business; what a great evil. Definition 1. opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge 2. unreasonable, hostile attitudes regarding a group http://m.dictionary.com/d/?q=prejudice&o=0&l=dir 3. discrimination concept have against something or person. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prejudice injury or damage resulting from some judgment or action of another in disregard of one's rights; especially: detriment to one's legal rights or claims 2a(1):preconceived judgment or opinion (2):an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge b:an instance of such judgment or opinion c. an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics. By Stephan Talty, Mulatto America, 2003. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prejudice Examples of PREJUDICE The organization fights against racial prejudice. religious, racial, and sexual prejudices We tend to make these kinds of decisions according to our own prejudices. He has a prejudice against fast-food restaurants. But today most black Americans not hampered by poverty or prejudice take for granted their right to study Italian, listen to Britney Spears or opera, play in the NHL, eat Thai food, live anywhere, work anywhere, play anywhere, read and think and say anything. CAUSES OF PREJUDICE Prejudice is caused greatly by preconceived thoughts that may have been passed down from previous generations. Many people that are from a recent generation feel the way that they do because of someone in their family who is older passing on their feelings to them. Prejudice may be caused by a mere dislike of something without apparent reasons. Also prejudice could be caused by the understanding or misunderstanding of the something. Due to the lack of understand, the wrong impression can be formed and prejudice could result. On the other hand, prejudice could also stem from the understanding of something, which lead to a negative feeling towards the subject, and thus forming prejudice. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_cause_of_prejudice The negative pre-information Jealousy Envy of the progress of someone Nature of people's group When you don't know the truth of a matter but conclude in your heart. Influence of prejudice People are easily influenced negatively than positively because evil is easily accepted than good because of our depraved society. Many danced to the tune of the people than that of God; others said, 'If you beat them, join them', and this make things get worst. Remember, the word of God said in Exodus 23:2, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil". Bad communication corrupt good manner. 1Cor 15:33. THE ACTS OF PREJUDICE Prejudice is an act of evil, wickedness and abominable before God. To you the person you prejudiced is a dead person before your eye but whereas the person himself is free as the because he know nothing about what you have against him/her. Prejudice leads to death. Prejudice enslaves one's life. Prejudice hinders one's progress. Prejudice frustrate one's destiny. Prejudice hinders one's communication Prejudice secludes one from friends. Prejudice brings enemity. Prejudice erupt one's visions CONSEQUENCES OF PREJUDICE Anyone that is possess with prejudice spirit will always have the following consequences Prejudice person will suffer long in his problem. Prejudice personwill live the life of regret.. Jonah regretted ever taken such decision while he was in fish belly. Prejudice person will never live a happy life. Ahithophel never have peace and with that, he went and hanged himself and died. Prejudice person will never have peace within his/herself. Prejudice person will ever live the life of hatred. Prejudice person will ever live a secluded life. Prejudice person will always see those he prejudiced against and their associates as enemies. Prejudice persons prayers will never be answered. The devil takes the high seat of such persons heart. It can leads to heart attack. Hell fire will be such persons destination. Way out of prejudice Verify every issues before making conclusion. Have good mind towards every one even if the person is naturally bad. Learn to forgive every actions against you, your person or your people's group. Learn to accept everyone as God's creature and the image of God. Refrain yourself from prejudiced people. Refrain yourself from rumor carriers for it kills. Refrain your yourself from those who harbor evil in their hearts. Don't demarcate one from the other but take the as one. Live a fun free life. Accept Jesus Christ into your life who has the ability to change you and makes you better person in life. CONCLUSION After reading this article and your life is still packed full of prejudice, know for sure that you are doomed to. Make a right decision now while you are still alive because if you do not, you will regret in hell. But God don't want you in hell fire that is why He send His Son Jesus to die for you, why not give your life to God today, tomorrow may be too LATE. For more information email me; matimo4jesus@yahoo.com Or cal +2348035031968 For financial contribution Visit Access Bank Ac Name. Imoniavwodo Matthew AC No. 0024388539 God bless you real Good.