Human Rights And Social Justice Flashcards
What is prejudice?
A biased belief about someone or a group of people
What is discrimination?
Treating someone differently or unfairly because of prejudice
What are some ways in which women are treated differently in Christianity?
Some Christians believe that wives should be submissive to their husbands
Some church’s WONT ordain women
Some Christians have seen a woman’s role as a wife and mother
Why do Catholics believe women should not be ordained?
Jesus and his 12 disciples were all men and the tradition in the church is to have male priests
Why do some Christians believe that women should be submissive to men?
Became it was eve who caused Adam to sin
Why do Christians emphasise the importance of women being mothers?
Because many important women in the bible were mothers I.e. Mary (Jesus’ mother)
What do Catholics believe about treating women differently?
They believe that not letting women be priests isn’t making them any lower/worse then men, it’s just their being treated differently
God views all equally but he has different roles for men and women.
What do other Christians or Quakers/Anglican Church believe?
Believe women should not be treated differently as the New Testament shows Jesus treated women well and had women followers.
Quakers and Anglican Church have allowed women to b ordained
What is a quote related to this?
‘There is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.’ Galatians 3:28
What do Muslims believe about men and women?
The Qur’an shows that all men and women have an equal status before Allah
However, why is this sometimes controversial?
Men are allowed up to 4 wives, whereas a women is only allowed one husband.
Men inherit twice as much as women
In some Muslim cultures, women are expected to remain inside their house whereas men do not have these restrictions.
However, how is this contrasted?
Qur’an states that a man must treat all his wives equally
Differences in inheritance made sense in a time when it made sense for a man to inherit more so her could provide for his wife and family
What quote supports that homosexuality/homosexual acts is wrong?
‘You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination’
- Leviticus 18:22
How are homosexuals discriminated against in Christianity?
Verbal or physical abuse
Some churches won’t marry a homosexual couple because they believe marriage should only be within a man and woman
Sex should only be for procreation (Catholics)
Believe that families with heterosexual parents is the basis of society
What is equality?
Being equal or being treated equally
What is Freedom of Religion/Belief?
Means everyone is free to believe in whatever religion they want or have no religious beliefs.
Why do some people disagree against Freedom of religion?
Some religious people believe that only their religious views are correct and other religious views shouldn’t be tolerated(to an extent)
Some believe that certain practises which are allowed under freedom of religious practises shouldn’t be allowed
What is an example of Freedom of religious expression?
Through clothing or symbols e.g. hijab
Why do some people disagree against this?
Some disagree that people are promoting their religion is certain places like school and work
Unfair for certain people to be able to wear symbols where others cannot
Impractical at times
What do Christians believe about Religious freedom/expression?
Most accept it because Jesus taught to love others and to treat them how you would want to be treated.
What is a quote for this?
‘Love thy neighbour.’
‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you.’
- Matthew 7:12
However, why do some Christians disagree?
Some Christians believe that worshipping God is the only correct way and that you can only go to heaven or know God because Jesus taught that people could only know God through him
What is a quote for this?
“I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
What do Muslims believe about Freedom of Religion (expression)?
Many Muslims feel that they should not force Islam on people of other religions and that people of other religions should be allowed to practise in peace.
However, Muslims believe that someone shouldn’t be allowed to leave Islam and practise a different or no faith. Therefore, they believe that there is no freedom of religious expression for Muslims who no longer wish to be Muslims anymore.
What about in Islamic Countries?
Traditionally, non-Muslims were allowed to practise their religion.
However, nowadays, some Islamic countries can persecute members of certain religions if they practise or express it.
This is due to their believe in Shirk - only Allah and worshipping anything other is the only unforgivable sin
Some may only why people go worship Islam
What are Human rights?
Rights that many people have that normally prevent discrimination
Give some examples of human rights
The right to life The right not to be a slave The right to fair treatment; no torture and fair trial The right to an education The right to freedom from discrimination
How do human rights enforce responsibility?
If everyone has the right to life, all have the responsibility not to kills others.
If everyone has the right to freedom, all have the responsibility not to enslave others
Who do people believe are not entitled to human rights?
Murderers or terrorists as they have taken away humans rights of others e.t.c
What is social justice?
The idea that everyone deserves equal legal rights and opportunities: equally protected regardless of gender or religion e.t.c and have same options
Why do Christians campaign for social justice?
Jesus loves all people and views then equally - (this prompted Christians to help abolish slave trade)
Jesus promoted helping the poor - pay fair wages, help people cheated by tax and prompted Christians to give money
However, how have some Christians not supported social justice?
Catholic Church spent a lot of their money on priests, bishops, church buildings when it could’ve been spent on poor
Some support the slave trade as the bible doesn’t forbid slavery
What does it mean when Christians say that “God helps those that help themselves?”
Believe the rich deserve the reward of wealth as they have earned it whereas the poor should be given minimal welfare as they should work harder
Why do Muslims think social justice is important?
Zakah (Compulsory giving of money which is given to poor) is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Helping poor reminds Muslims that there are people worse off than them
What is racial prejudice?
Believe certain races are superior/inferior; treating people differently depending on their face
How has racial discrimination taken place in the past?
People of different colours were separated- at restaurants or on public transport
Black people were required to give up their seat for a white person
You could choose to give a white person a job over a black person purely due to race
Although, (racial discrimination) is illegal in the UK, how does it still take place?
People shout racist things or commit racist violence
Police and law are sometimes racist - more likely to stop someone of colour and search them than a white person
Some racial groups even get harsher punishments
What do people believe racism stems from?
Fear - immigrants can take all jobs and drain resources
Fear of difference if haven’t grown up in a multicultural society
May generalise a race - if have one bad encounter with someone, assume the whole race is like that
Why do most Christians disapprove of racism?
Believe you should treat all races equally
Ethnic or racial background shouldn’t be a barrier to join a religion
God accepts everyone and Jesus taught to treat everyone equally
What is a quote linked to this?
“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free… for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” - Galatians 3:28
Why do people disagree with racism?
People would not like to be discriminated against themselves - In bible it says “Treat others how you wish to be treated.”
No reason to discriminate as it is not just
Racism makes problems worse - if you discriminate instead against someone, there more likely to discriminate against others or yourself and your race
What is positive discrimination?
Favouring individuals belonging to groups known to have been discriminated against previously.
E.g a business may find they have less African people working for them, so they hire more African people to reduce the minority
Why do some people support Positive Discrimination?
People discriminated against can now get a helpings hand to they can achieve the same as everyone else
Better chance of rain their group being treated equally
May contribute to social justice
Why can wealth be a good thing?
You can provide for your family, not worry about being in need.
Christians believe it is a gift from God
Why can wealth be a bad thing?
Wealth is not as important as family, friends or health
It cannot buy happiness
It can cause an obsession to wealth - become unhappy or distracted
Wealth is a distraction from god
What is a quote for this?
“You cannot serve God and wealth.” - Matthew 6:24
What do people believe about wealth being used freely?
Whoever earns wealth, deserves to kept it and as they have worked hard and have been rewarded by God
It can be used however they want as long as it doesn’t cause harm to others
What is a use of wealth, on helping people?
Many believe wealth should be used to help others e.g. giving to charity
Believe taxation is important as wealth will be used where necessary and can contribute to social justice
Helping others is something Jesus taught
What do Utilitarians believe on the use of money?
Wealth should be used where it brings the most pleasure and least pain I.e. giving money to poor allows them to get a lot of pleasure out of it whereas using it on yourself is greedy and you do not need it
There will always be someone who’s life can be greatly improved with money
Why do Christians believe wealth should be used to help others?
Jesus taught that people should be rich spiritually rather than just on earth
Using wealth to help others shows compassion for those in need, and helps strengthen your relationship with God
Taught that if you help those in need, you did it to him so you doing something directly to god with compassion
What is a quote for this?
“Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” - Matthew 25;40
What do other Christians believe (monks and nuns)?
Best to give up all your possessions and wealth and to follow God
Better to focus your lives on God, rather than possessions
Why is sharing wealth important in Islam and to Muslims?
Zakah - one of five pillars and can be given to poor and needy
Believe giving Zakah is important as it is fair for wealth to be used to help those in need
Islam also teaches that wealth is the property of Allah and so Muslims believe that the rich do not have a complete right to their money as it is really Allahs.
However, why do some Muslims believe it’s okay to send some on yourself?
Believe some wealth can be used on themselves as long as they give an appropriate amount to Allah
Wealth can be seen as a blessing from Allah
No compulsion to give all of ones possessions to poor in Qur’an whereas there is in Bible : “Go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven.” - Mark 10:21
Why do some people disapprove of Positive Discrimination?
It is overused
Patronising - people from minority groups will feel as if they only got job/opportunity purely because of positive discrimination which can hurt self esteem and confidence
Can be unfair to groups where they are not seen as being discriminated against - If they are better qualified for a job, but someone else gets it due to positive discrimination, it is unfair and could be classed as negative discrimination as your treating people unequally
Why do people argue that rich people don’t have any responsibilities?
People have earned it/worked hard for it so it’s theirs to do how they wish
Someone argued that taxation is like theft - money being taken away when it’s rightfully theirs
Believed that giving to charity and helping others, is not a duty so people have a right to spend it how they please (have free choice)
Why do people believe the rich do have a responsibility?
Help not destroy the environment
Not exploit others
A duty to tack poverty
A duty to tackle the causes of poverty
If someone doesn’t deserve their wealth, they should use it to help others or give it away for a greater good
No one does anything to deserve which family or status their born into so any wealth inherited isn’t deserved
How to people prompt the rich to help tackle poverty?
Provide education so people can get jobs
Paying workers a fair wage so no one relies on benefits
Helping poor find jobs and start working
Investing in less economically developed countries
Investing in healthcare
Negotiating peace deals
Providing rehabilitation so people don’t have to be reliant on drugs
What do Muslims and Christians teach about the wealth having a responsibility to help others?
Islam - Zakah
Christianity - teaches that those in need should be help and it’s displeasing to God if people don’t help those in need
What are problems with raising the minimum wage/trying to establish fair pay for everyone?
As soon as people are paid more, companies with make goods and products more expensive as everyone has a lot more money so money is worth less
Some companies won’t be able to afford to pay higher wages - lead to them out of business
Benefits may be removed so a higher wage, doesn’t do anything
Why is it unfair to exploit the poor by putting excessive interest on loans?
Stuck in debt/cause high levels of debt
Unfair as rich lend money to poorer countries
Bible states that you shouldn’t charge interest on loans and to clear anyone’s debt after seven years so they can have a clean start
Qur’an strongly condemns charging interest
What is people trafficking?
Illegal and a form a slavery
Involuntary movement of people who are used as slaves for sex or labour
Criminals earn a lot
Poor people are more likely to be victims of trafficking as they are out in a false sense of belief that will be paid and given good food and conditions e.t.c
What does the bible teach against trafficking?
Bible condemns kidnapping and enslaving people as it is unfair and treats people with low dignity
How do people feel the poor could do to improve their living condition?
Look harder for work
Get a higher standard of education
Work longer hours/more days
Spend their money more carefully
What is a quote to support it from Christianity that the poor should work harder?
‘A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.’ - Proverbs 10:4
However, what do other people feel about poverty not being someone’s own fault?
- May be unable to get a job which pays enough
- May have lost everything due to a war or natural disaster
- May suffer from ill health - no clean water
- May be mentally ill or addicted to drugs
Believe they should take opportunities given but they may not get them enough
What do Christian Aid do?
Aim to support people practically and do a lot of their work in less economically developed countries I.e. helping hungry, helping to recover from natural disaster, providing medical care and providing for refugees.
They do this because the bible teaches to be compassionate and help those in need in getting a safe, healthy and fulfilling life.
Why do Christians give to charity?
Jesus taught Christians to love their neighbours, so they should do a good thing and help out others.
Jesus also gave out charitable gifts and did actions which showed he loves others.
Therefore, when a Christian gives to charity they feel they are following Jesus’ teachings so it will please God.
What else did Jesus teach about giving to charity?
Parable of Sheep and Goat - Jesus teaches that those who help others will be the ones to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven (sheep) those who don’t, will not be welcome. (Goat)
Also teaches that giving a small amount when it’s all you have, is worth a lot more than giving some(but not enough that it affects your personal wealth) -more generous and compassionate
What is a tithe?
When Christians often give a tenth of their income to help those in need
What are some issues with giving money to the poor?
Giving money is only a short term solution
Giving money out of the poor makes them dependant on charities so it lessens the motivation to get out of poverty as they’re being provided for.
Some charities waste a lot of the money on paying salaries and companies e.t.c
Why do some people have issues with religious teachings?
Because religions are followed by humans, the teachings are open to corruption e.g. eve betrayed God and ate from forbidden fruit. Therefore, many would find it untrustworthy to follow as teachings seem unreliable
There is so much diversity between religions that it is hard to reach an overall agreement which suggests a lack of security, so people may not want to follow it
