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What Does the Bible Say About...Intolerance, Bigotry, and Obsession?

Can someone tell me where in the Bible I can find something about: intolerance, bigotry, addiction, addictive, obsession, enslavement?

Answer

The terms you ask about may not appear as words in most English translations of the Bible. The principles are addressed.

Intolerance: "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:10) Of course, one must keep in mind that tolerance is not necessarily agreement, or even acceptance. I can be tolerant of my homosexual friends (that is, acknowledge their right to live their own life, even if it be sinful) without giving up my belief that homosexual acts are sinful. I can even try to teach them that they are sinning without being intolerant. I can accept my Muslim friends and treat them with respect without having to believe that their religion is true.

Bigotry: "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." (Acts 10:34-35) "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become evil thinking judges?" (James 2:1-4)

Addiction, addictive behavior, obsession: See my answer to a question about addiction at addiction.html. There are several passages condemning drunkenness, which is addiction. These would include 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and Ephesians 5:18-20. Others, such as Romans chapter 6, deal with following God and getting rid of behaviors which would interfere with one's relationship with God. Also see passages dealing with lust, which means more than just sexual desire. These would include Romans 13:14; 1 Corinthians 10:6; Galatians 5:16-26; James 1:14-15; and James 4:1-10.

Enslavement: Romans 6 (the whole chapter)

These may not be all the passages concerning the various topics, but they should give you a good basis, and a start for further study.