Contemporary Issues

Question 1

What is prejudice?

Answer 1

To pre-judge and is a negative attitude towards people based on a group to which they belong

Question 2

What is discrimination?

Answer 2

When people are unfairly treated by others because of prejudice

Question 3

Effects of prejudice and discrimination

Answer 3

1. They make the victim feel less than human
2. They can result in fear for what might happen at any moment and fear for what the future might hold.
3. At their worst they can lead to genocide, like the Holocaust

Question 4

What do Christians think of prejudice and discrimination?

Answer 4

They believe that all humans are made in the image of God. Therefore any action that devalues a person is an insult to God who created and loves that person.

Question 5

Biblical teaching on prejudice and discrimination

Answer 5

1. So God created human beings, making them to be like himself - Genesis 1:27
2. Love your neighbour as yourself - Matthew 22:39

Question 6

What is relative poverty?

Answer 6

Relates to what a particular society considers to be poor, like in the UK someone might be considered to be relatively poor if they live on less than three average UK income

Question 7

What is absolute poverty?

Answer 7

When someone does not have access to basic human needs

Question 8

Causes of poverty?

Answer 8

Climate - hot weather can affect crops and prevent harvesting
War - money spent on weapons could have been spent on food production
Lack of education - poor countries have many children that have little or no access to education

Question 9

What is economic inequality?

Answer 9

Not everybody has the same access to basic needs

Question 10

What do Christians do to help poverty?

Answer 10

They follow examples of Jesus, who reached out to the poor in society. Many Christians living in rich nations feel they have a responsibility towards those in poorer nations

Question 11

What are the Christian aids aims?

Answer 11

1. Expose poverty throughout the world
2. Help in practical ways to end poverty
3. Highlight, challenge and change the structures and systems that favour the rich and powerful over the poor

Question 12

How do Christian aid take action?

Answer 12

1. Seeking to follow the teaching of Jesus, who commanded his followers to love their neighbour
2. Giving people survival essentials when they are without shelter or refuge
3. Supporting people to stand up for their rights and to build stable, secure lives