The Chosen People Myth: Faith vs. Ethnic Superiority
From Abraham’s Covenant to Modern Misuse of Faith
"For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just."
— Genesis 18:19
Many of us live by the idea of being part of a “chosen people”—a belief that spans across different faiths, whether among Jews, Christians, or Muslims. This narrative often becomes entangled with ethnic and geographic identity: some assume that Christianity belongs to the West or white people, while Islam is associated with brown-skinned populations in the East or South. Over time, this mindset has led many to equate religious identity with superiority, giving rise to arrogance and self-righteousness.
Among those who strongly identify with being “chosen” are the Children of Israel. This concept has, in some cases, become less about spiritual responsibility and more about political, financial, and social advantage. What was originally a covenant of faith and obedience has, for some, been distorted into a tool for worldly power and status.
This distortion is not just historical—it continues today in various parts of the world, especially in Palestine and across the Middle East. What was meant to be a position of spiritual responsibility has been misused to justify oppression, division, and material pursuits. The emphasis on bloodline and ethnicity has led to a dangerous sense of superiority, where others are viewed as “goyim”—outsiders—and treated as inferior. This undermines the very essence of monotheistic faith and leaves many disillusioned.
It is essential to remember that God chose Abraham not because of his race, but because of his devotion and faith. He was willing to sacrifice what was most precious to him out of obedience to God. This act of unwavering commitment is what set him apart.
“You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you...Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised.” — Genesis 17:9–14
Even within this covenant, the chosen were not only his blood relatives. Anyone under Abraham’s household—regardless of ethnicity—was included. The covenant was based on faith, obedience, and submission to God’s will, not race or lineage.
Centuries later, Jesus made this distinction even clearer. He challenged those who claimed Abraham as their father but did not live according to his example:
“If you were Abraham’s children, then you would do what Abraham did. But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God... You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires.” — John 8:39–44
Here, Jesus separates ethnic identity from spiritual truth. Being a descendant of Abraham means little without the faith and actions that reflect Abraham’s devotion. He exposed the reality that many who claimed to follow God were, in fact, corrupting the message and aligning themselves with falsehood.
This misappropriation of spiritual identity continues today. Many people call themselves Muslim, Christian, or Jewish, yet display little of the compassion, humility, and justice these faiths teach. The issue is not with the religions themselves, but with those who use them as masks to cover personal or political agendas.
So, is the current crisis in Palestine a condemnation of these religious groups? Not necessarily. Rather, it reflects a deeper spiritual crisis—one where criminals and oppressors are masquerading as faithful believers. These are not true representatives of their faiths, but distorters of divine messages, misusing religion to justify violence, injustice, and control.
What, then, can we learn?
All three faiths trace their spiritual ancestry to Abraham, and they all profess belief in one God (monotheism):
Judaism sees itself as the original covenant community, chosen by God through Abraham and Moses to live by His laws.
Christianity emerged from Judaism and believes that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, redefining the covenant through faith in Christ.
Islam also traces back to Abraham (through Ishmael), and believes Muhammad is the final prophet, restoring the pure monotheism that was corrupted over time.
In theory, this shared foundation should unite them—but the concept of being “chosen” is where interpretations diverge.
The "Chosen People" Narrative
Each faith has its own version of chosenness:
Judaism traditionally teaches that Jews were chosen by God to receive the Torah and serve as a “light unto the nations” (Isaiah 49:6)—a responsibility, not superiority.
Christianity believes that those who accept Christ become spiritually chosen and adopted into God's family (Romans 8:15-17), replacing ethnic lineage with spiritual rebirth.
Islam teaches that Muslims are part of the final and complete revelation, chosen to carry God’s message through the Qur’an and live as examples of justice and submission to God.
Though originally intended to emphasize responsibility, obedience, and moral leadership, these narratives have often been misinterpreted or politicized to imply exclusivity or superiority—turning chosenness into tribalism.
Historical and Political Factors
Centuries of conflict have deeply entrenched divisions:
Religious Wars & Crusades: These solidified an "us vs. them" mentality across all three faiths.
Colonialism and Nationalism: In modern times, religion was often fused with political agendas, e.g., Zionism, Islamic nationalism, or Christian imperialism.
The Israel-Palestine Conflict: A political conflict with religious undertones that has become symbolic for broader interfaith tensions, especially between Jews and Muslims.
These struggles are often framed in religious terms, even though they're largely political and territorial in nature.
Human Nature and the Ego of Identity
There’s a psychological and sociological dimension as well:
People crave identity, belonging, and meaning. Religion provides that.
But when identity becomes exclusive, it can lead to "othering"—seeing outsiders as threats or inferior.
The spiritual mission gets lost, and religion becomes a badge of superiority instead of a call to service and humility.
Misrepresentation of Faith
Much of the conflict comes not from the faiths themselves, but from people who distort or weaponize their religion:
Extremists, nationalists, and political leaders often hijack religious language to justify actions that have nothing to do with God.
As Jesus, the prophets, and the Quran all warned, hypocrisy, pride, and false leadership are dangerous forces that mislead communities.
Islam’s perspective on being a chosen community
The quranic passage that addresses this is in Surah Al-Imran
(Chapter 3, The Family of Imran, Verse 110):
"You are the best community that has been produced for mankind. You enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency and you believe in God".
This verse emphasises that ‘being chosen’ is not about ethnicity or race but about actions and beliefs of the community. Something that needs to be worked on through clarification, education and eradication of ignorance in the community.
Once the true faith of Islam is embraced and not a distortion or a misrepresentation of it then it will serve as a model for humanity promoting good and discouraging evil through a sincere faith in God.
It is therefore a Muslim’s task to uphold the values of justice and righteousness- a title which is not a permanent entitlement but one maintained only through continued faith and action.
So what can be done?
All three faiths need to emphasize justice, mercy, humility, and accountability to God. They need to recognise shared values: Faith, prayer, charity, fasting, service, and love for one’s neighbours.
We must not dismiss the true followers of any faith based on the actions of those who abuse it. We must remain vigilant—aware of wolves in sheep’s clothing. And above all, we must seek the path of true faith with sincerity, perseverance, and humility.
True peace—both in this world and the next—can only be found by returning to the core of monotheistic belief: devotion to God, justice for others, and mercy for mankind.