02/15/19 THERE IS A POINT TO THIS POST

02/15/19 THERE IS A POINT TO THIS POST

Though a person's actions and a person's disobedience to the moral law of God are observable, we are not able to judge the secrets of men's hearts. 

My ancestral roots (paternal and maternal) are based in north-western coast and eastern coast Scotland, with probability of slight Norwegian Viking heritage. I do not honor the pagan, violent, carnal behavior of my ancestors. However, I appreciate the strong stock of seaman, fishermen, boat builders and whalers in my Scottish roots.

VERY IMPORTANT. I do not exalt or emulate the idolatrous, self gratifying, murderous ways of my godless forefathers. But it is gratifying to know that I come from a line of strong, courageous, self reliant culture. It gives me an appreciation for my recent heritage of seafaring coastal folks who fought the elements and carved a living from the sea and surf.

Up to this point, no one has suggested that I am proud or boastful concerning the crude, cruel and corrupt lives in my heritage. No one accuses me of wanting to return to a life of pillaging the villages and disemboweling those who oppose me.

NOW HERE IS MY POINT.
LIKEWISE, a person can have an appreciation for the commendable traits of his heritage of Southern culture (which are many), without being either a slave owner, a bigot, or a modern racist, slaver wannabe.

It is a false narrative to paint a Southerner as being a loveless, oppressive enemy of blacks. It is an act of virtue signalling by misrepresenting another person.

No man has the right to boast in his heritage or be PROUD of his background, but there is nothing wrong with recognizing the commendable aspects of a person or group of people.

It is wrong to attack a person because of his heritage, race, culture. God does not define us by our wicked past and He does not condemn us because of our human heritage. God judges us by our inner relationship and response to Him. In fact, the Bible forbids us to judge others by the flesh or our own standards. Though a person's actions and a person's disobedience to the moral law of God are observable, we are not able to judge the secrets of men's hearts. Even when a person's sins are obvious, it is not our place to judge (condemn, assign) him a place in hell, any more than we have a right to justify (absolve) a person of their guilt.