Contemporary Issues In Christianity

Question 1

What is the definition of Prejudice?

Answer 1

To form unfavourable opinion/feeling about person or group of people without full examination

Question 2

What is the definition of Discrimination?

Answer 2

Making distinction against person or thing based on group, class or category they belong to, rather than merit

Question 3

What types of prejudice are there?

Answer 3

Sexism 
Racism 
Ethnicity - same skin colour
Anti-Semitism 
Islamophobia 
Homophobia 
Ageism 
Disabled

Question 4

What is the difference between discrimination and prejudice?

Answer 4

Prejudice - attitude

Discrimination - action

Question 5

What is the definition of relative poverty?

Answer 5

What particular society considers to be poor

E.g., someone in UK might be considered relatively poor if they live on less than average UK income

Question 6

What is the definition of absolute poverty?

Answer 6

When someone doesn’t have access to basic human needs such as water, clothing, education and shelter

Question 7

What are some difficulties for minority religions in NI?

Answer 7

Jews may not be able to get Kosher food
Prejudice & discrimination as people ignorant/misinformed about religion
Lack of opportunity to celebrate religious observances - employers may be unsympathetic
School syllabus & assemblies might be inappropriate & unsympathetic towards children

Question 8

Why are people prejudiced?

Answer 8

Ignorance - lack of knowledge can lead to acting in wrong way
Upbringing - take up parents’ prejudices
Peer pressure - young people easily influenced by peer group
Stereotyping - 1 bad experience with person from particular group an cause person to think all act same way
Media - has powerful influence on people & can promote stereotype of particular group
Scapegoating - person/group blamed for sins or wrongs of another person or group

Question 9

What does the Bible teach about prejudice & discrimination?

Answer 9

“Love your neighbour as yourself.” - Matthew 22:39 - Everyone is important to God & included in His plan of salvation, so people shouldn’t discriminate & treat others unfairly

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Paul’s letter to Galatians - everyone equal in eyes of God & shouldn’t be made to feel inferior because they may be different to someone else

“So God created human beings, making them to be like himself.” - Genesis 1:27 - all human beings created in image of God, everyone has same worth & value - no one should be treated in less favourable way because of factors like race, gender or disability

Question 10

What does the christian church say about prejudice & discrimination?

Answer 10

“Every form of social or cultural discrimination in fundamental personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, colour, social conditions, language or religion must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God’s design.” - Roman Catholic Church

Question 11

What can churches do to help combat racism?

Answer 11

Minister can make congregation more aware of culture of newcomers & persuade them of importance of reaching out
Have people responsible for welcoming at services & incorporate things like greeting people from different countries in their own language
Offer English lessons
Have sermons in different languages

Question 12

What do churches do to combat poverty?

Answer 12

Quaker Peace & Social Witness is member of Close the Gap global campaign - as part of this campaign Quakers try to reduce inequality between rich & poor

movement within the Roman Catholic Church. It began in Latin America in the 1950s and 1960s in response to poverty in Brazilian society. It is based on the teaching of loving one’s neighbour

Roman Catholic Church often criticised for its wealth when many people live in absolute poverty: Church owns valuable property & art
Some argue that it should give more of its wealth away to the less fortunate
However, some Christians argue that Bible teaches there’s nothing wrong with wealth itself - it is greed that’s wrong

Question 13

What are LEDCs?

Answer 13

Less Economically Developed Countries

Question 14

What are the causes of poverty in LEDCs?

Answer 14

Climate 
Natural Diseases 
Unfair trade 
Debt 
War 
Corruption 
Lack of education

Question 15

What causes poverty in the UK?

Answer 15

Unemployment
Discrimination
Government policies - When cutbacks made to benefits/essential services like NHS can lead to social injustice
Debt - When people try to survive on very limited income, they might borrow money or use credit cards to cover basic needs
Single parent - Many single parents on low wages/cannot work because of childcare arrangements Many ex-partners don’t provide adequate child support
Homelessness - Households surviving on low income often less able to protect their home if there is a family crisis such as a separation, bereavement or unemployment
Family circumstances

Question 16

What does the bible say abut poverty?

Answer 16

“The love of money is the source of all kinds of evil” - 1 Timothy 6:9 - refers to greed rather than to seeing money as good thing - people can make money their idol

Question 17

What are the characteristics of local & national poverty?

Answer 17

Crime and vandalism – In areas where there is social inequality, usually a higher rate of crime, particularly theft - people may not value facilities they have or see need to respect them

Lack of social mobility – person from disadvantaged background not encouraged to see value in good education, or they may have to leave school early for economic reasons. Less likely to get good job & escape cycle of poverty

Poor health – People on low income may live in unhealthy environment, eat less nutritious diet & face stress & anxiety about circumstances. People living in poverty more likely to be mentally ill or obese

Question 18

How does Christian Aid combat poverty?

Answer 18

Christian Aid aims to:

expose poverty throughout the world
help in practical ways to end poverty
highlight, challenge & change structures & systems that favour rich & powerful over poor

Does this by:
seeking to follow teaching of Jesus, who commanded his followers to love their neighbour and work for better world
giving people survival essentials when they are without shelter or refuge, and helping them find the strength and resources they need to flourish and protect themselves from shocks and disasters
supporting people to stand up for their rights and to build stable, secure lives they can enjoy living

Question 19

How does Salvation Army combat poverty?

Answer 19

They work with disadvantaged people in our communities - including: 
homeless people 
older people 
unemployed people 
addicts 
victims of human trafficking 
major emergencies 

They do this by:
serving meals to people who would otherwise be on their own
supporting those who are struggling financially
running activities and classes in community centres
providing support to help people into employment