My statement you're responding to was...
Gandhi said racist things? Christ compared a Canaanite woman to a dog.
Did Christ compare a Canaanite woman to a dog? Yes. Yes He did.
I was comparing someone saying racist things to Christ referring to a Canaanite woman as a dog. If that's not a fair comparison, I'm willing to learn your thoughts as to why and we can have a discussion about it without you putting words in my mouth or falsely accusing me of "justifying racism by using Jesus as an example" as you say.
Matt 15:22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed."
v. 23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us."
v. 24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
v. 25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, help me!"
v. 26 But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs."
Isn't that curious to wonder why Jesus would make such a comment using the derogatory word 'dog.' Of course Christ was well aware of all the circumstances here, and with this woman in particular, a Gentile. I certainly believe this was to become a learning lesson... maybe it was time the disciples needed to began to comprehend that Gentiles are not the lowly beings all Jews had always considered them to be.
So Jesus hearing her plea for help, ignored her at first, and her. a Gentile, being there speaking to Him raised the disciples contempt for her and they began to tell Him "send her away." But then Jesus asked her a question and I do believe He knew exactly how this exchange would go. The word 'dog' was no doubt part of the lesson, because we certainly know that He would never use it as a put down, but maybe it was more in the form of a question to bring attention to it, as surely He had heard His disciples use it many times. So He told her that His mission at that time was to the house of Israel, the Jews, God's chosen people... she was not chosen, but they were considered no more then lowly Gentiles dogs, with no chance for salvation.
As the disciples listened on, she answered that she was not seeking the Jews portions, just a few leftover crumbs of mercy... she evidently believed Jesus was God and had faith that He could grant her request and she would not just give up easily. I'm sure Christ knew this about her and certainly He did honor her request as He already knew He would and to top it off He even acknowledged and commended her "great faith." I suppose the disciples were probably a little shocked by the the way this turned out.
Matt 15:27 And she said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table."
v. 28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
I believe the disciples learned that Christ did not despise the Gentiles, that word 'dog' was used to show them how ugly their contempt was, because He did show mercy/love for her and healed her daughter. So that had to put a big question in their minds about how they looked down their noses at these people. Because we know that the Gentiles and all people were destined to be eventually chosen... Christ knew it was something the disciples needed time to wrap their minds around after centuries of scorn for these people.
Just my take on this interesting comment from Christ.
mercy, peace and love
Kat