1.2 Equality (RACISM)

Question 1

Direct Racism

Answer 1

Someone is treated differently, less favourably, or not given the same opportunities as others because of their ethnicity or skin colour.

Question 2

Indirect Racism

Answer 2

Certain practices, policies or rules disadvantage a particular community or section of society e.g. banning of head scarves.

Question 3

Institutionalised racism

Answer 3

Racism present within social institutions, such as governmental organisations, police forces or the army.

Question 4

Exodus Quote - an Old Testament passage that condones slavery

Answer 4

When a man strikes his slave… with a rod and the slave dies under his hand, he shall be avenged

Question 5

St Paul Quote - a New Testament passage that suggests prejudice and discrimination are wrong.

Answer 5

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Jesus Christ.

Question 6

Is the Bible racist?

Answer 6

• Most Christians would argue that the Bible is not racist, because racism goes against the fundamental Christian value that we are created equal and loved equally by God.
• Slavery is the most catastrophic form of discrimination yet there is no explicit condemnation of slavery in the Bible.
• The Bible is a historical document and slavery was common and widely accepted at the time. However, those who wrote the books of the Bible claimed to be divinely inspired. Can God be all-loving if he condones a practice in which not all human beings are treated equally?

Question 7

Old Testament on racism

Answer 7

• Some old testament passages appear to condone slavery.
• However in certain passages they make reference to a duty to treat ‘foreigners’ as you would your own people.

Question 8

New Testament on Racism

Answer 8

• Jesus seems to tacitly accept the practice of slavery.
• Although he uses slavery as an analogy to make people understand the relationship with God, he doesn’t openly condemn slavery as a social practice when he condemns other traditional practices.
• Some passages suggest prejudice and discrimination are wrong and that the church should focus on unity.

Question 9

Church responses to racism

Answer 9

Whilst the history of Christianity is littered with stories of discrimination we can also find examples of:
1. Christians fighting for a abolition of slavery
2. Saving Jewish neighbours from the Nazis
3. Christian missionaries fighting for the rights of ethnic minorities.
CHURCHES: Church involved in bringing about the race relations act.
ROMAN CATHOLIC: long history in fighting slavery. John Paull II condemned the fact that Christians contributed to the slave trade.
QUAKERS: In 18th Century, slave traders were not allowed to become Quakers. Were prominent in the abolition movement.

Question 10

Martin Luther King

Answer 10

• Baptist minister and became president of the Montgomery Improvement Association in Alabama in 1955.
• Campaigned tirelessly despite many threats to his life.
• 1964 awarded Nobel Peace Prize.
  ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’