Jesus And Untouchability

This book examines the way the Good News was compromised with the system of discrimination down the centuries, and the anomaly it created to the Christian values of brotherhood and sisterhood of all. It includes an evaluation of the moral teachings of the present day Church. This evaluation shows that we have not repented nor been converted to the Gospel values even today. We find in the Bible that untouchability as a practice of discrimination existed in Israel at the time of Jesus and that it had its roots in the Bible itself! The struggle of Jesus was precisely against the practice of untouchability prevalent in his place and time. Jesus was not exactly giving an example for the oppressed to carry their cross meekly unto death. He was rather asking them to fight discrimination even if it would cost them their lives! His struggle should become directly relevant to them. They should discover in Jesus their hero, their leader, their God who died for their liberation. The New Testament also speaks of the struggle of Jesus’ apostles to keep themselves faithful to the Way he carved out for them. Paul emerges as the valiant champion of the cause of the untouchables as he affirms the equality of all in Jesus. When Peter discriminated against non-Jewish Christians of Antioch on the question of table fellowship, Paul, condemned him. For Paul, such a practice of discrimination went against the truth of the gospels.