Recently while boarding an international flight, I observed a poignant example of how we often categorize and judge people and demonstrate bias and favoritism toward our fellow human beings. The voice from the loudspeaker announces, we invite our first class / Delta One passengers to board. Diamond Medallion, you may now board. Premium select you may now board. Comfort + and Sky Priority please board.

(Then came the walk of shame). In a not so subtle, deliberate action the gate agent physically moves the boarding stanchions from the red carpet to the blue carpet and instructs passengers to line up behind the new entrance. Realize of course we are all getting on the same airplane!) They may not say it out loud but that single gesture communicates incredible bias and judgement.

And now the peons may board – main cabin 1 main cabin 2 main cabin and main cabin 3 basic economy class. I don’t disagree with offering some perks for frequent flyers or those who pay for first or business class fares. But here is where I take issue, So I didn’t buy a higher priced ticket, you don’t have to “gaslight” me for it. As I scanned my boarding pass, I commented to my fellow main cabin 3 traveler. If the front of this plane gets to our destination before the back of the plane, we’re all in trouble.

Of course, airlines aren’t the only examples where this bias comes through.  We judge and relegate people to second class citizens based on jobs: white collar vs blue collar. Education, God forbid that you only have a high school diploma. We judge people based on location city versus rural. The houses we live in, those who live in mobile homes are somehow deemed less important or valuable than those who live in mansions. We judge based on size, obese versus thin, the name brands we wear or don’t wear. We judge by intellect, power, wealth, and position in society. Of course, there is no question people judge based on social status, race and gender.

When you think about it, it’s sickening and sorrowful isn’t it how human beings created in the image of God are judged, and treated by one another?  James Chapter 2 and other passages of Scripture clearly address the matter of partiality. We are exhorted not to show favoritism toward others but instead love your neighbor as yourself.

Don’t be an elitist. Treat all people no matter what their lot in life is with honor and dignity. When we put away our own smugness and bias, our attitudes of superiority melts away and we are able to see people the way God sees them and minister to them with love, patience, and grace.

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