Subject: where do blacks come from? |
Bible Note: I am not a life scientist, but fortunately this is not necessary to understand the most recent scientific dialogue about "race". Hank is right that "it's never been proved...that one race is genetically superior to any other race." I believe the best reason for this is explained by Dr. Joseph L. Graves, a biologist, in his book "The Emperor's New Clothes: Biological Theories of Race at the Millenium". Dr. Graves' thesis is that there is no biological/genetic basis for race, i.e. a sub-species, in humans. This does not mean the social construct of race and its consequences are not real, but rather that arguments about race based on genetics are unfounded. This is because studies have shown that the human genome is remarkably homogeneous, much more so than any other higher organism. For example, there is more genetic diversity in one community of chimps than in the entire human species. This means that it is not possible to classify individuals or groups based on genetic content. To me, this is consistent with the biblical idea that God created man, distinct from other animals. Regarding physical differences, as Hank describes, characteristics and traits are a result of the many expressions of possibilities contained in the genetic code. All of us contain the potential to have the traits of any of us have, but each of us only expresses a small subset of the total possible. To me, these diverse possibilities are God's provision to us in order that we may not only survive in diverse environments, but also for us see is His Creative imagination expressed in US that we may come to love others without regard to external appearances. Parable |