Issues Of Human Rights

Question 1

Censorship

Answer 1

The practice of suppressing and limiting access to materials considered to be obscene, offensive or a threat to security
People may also be restricted in their speech by censorship laws

Question 2

Discrimination

Answer 2

Acts of treating groups of people or individuals differently, based on prejudice

Question 3

Extremism

Answer 3

Believing in and supporting ideas that are very far from what most people consider correct or reasonable

Question 4

Human rights

Answer 4

The basic entitlements if all human beings, afforded to them simply because they are human
An example of human rights as stated in the declaration of human rights is that all people should receive an education

Question 5

Personal conviction

Answer 5

Something a person strongly feels or believes in

Question 6

Prejudice

Answer 6

Pre judging

Judging people to be inferior or superior without evidence

Question 7

Relative poverty

Answer 7

A standard of poverty measured in relation to the standards of a society in which a person lives e.g. living on less than a certain percentage of average uk income

Question 8

Absolute poverty

Answer 8

An acute state of deprivation, where by a person cannot access the most basic of human needs

Question 9

Social injustice

Answer 9

Promoting a fair society by challenging injustice and valuing diversity
Ensuring that everyone has equal access to provisions, equal opportunities and rights

Question 10

Christian teachings on the dignity of human life

Answer 10

Belief that all humans are created in the image of God
Jesus showed in his teachings and practice all life should be valued and treated with respect e.g. visiting the lepers, Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Teachings from Pope Francis in Evangeli Gaudium refers to the importance of caring for the homeless and elderly.
Every person is sacred and of worth is a core Christian belief. Each person should be treated with selfless, unconditional love - agape.

Question 11

Buddhist teachings on dignity of life

Answer 11

The teachings of the Buddha (the dharma) refer to the importance of non-harm, e.g. Five Precepts; Eightfold Path
Karuna (compassion] means putting yourself in another’s place, trying to imagine their feelings and exercising metta [loving- kindness)

Question 12

Christina practices to promote human rights, including equality

Answer 12

Agape in Action
Following the action of Jesus, many Christian charities express agape e.g. helping at Salvation Army hostels; working in church food banks

Question 13

Buddhist practices to promote human rights, including equality

Answer 13

Dharma in action
Following the dharma of the Buddha many Buddhists have taken part in campaigns to support equality e.g. Dalai Lama, and to show loving kindness to others e.g, members of the Buddhist prison chaplaincy

Question 14

Censorship in uk

Answer 14

In Britain and many countries in Europe, everyone is free to express their ideas and feelings or reactions about religious, political, economic or government matters.
This reflects article 19 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights which states everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression
And Article 9 of the European Convention of Human Rights upholds freedom of thought, conscience and religion

Question 15

Christian teachings and attitudes towards prejudice and discrimination

Answer 15

Prejudice and discrimination are unacceptable and are against Christian beliefs and teaching
God created all human beings as equals whatever race, ability or gender
The 10 Commandments give guidance on living in harmony with others
Jesus’ example (such as his treatment of lepers and outcasts) and his teachings (such as the good Samaritan)
Jesus did not discriminate against women
The Roman catholic and Greek orthodox churches do not allow women to become priests
In many other churches such as Anglican or Methodist, women can be priests, ministers or bishops

Question 16

Buddhist teachings and attitudes towards prejudice and discrimination

Answer 16

All people are equal and have within them is the nature of enlightenment
Things such as wealth, gender and race, which separate people, are all illusory
Buddhist try to follow right action – the fourth of the noble eightfold path – which guide people in their lives. Right action includes five precepts for all Buddhists: not to destroy or harm life, not to take what is not given, not to misuse sex, not to lie and not a cloud in mind with drugs or alcohol
By following the eightfold path, and avoiding prejudice and discrimination, it is possible to avoid negative karma and rebirth, and cause positive effects to occur in your life
The Buddha rejected the caste system and taught that all people are equal
Metta (lovingkindness) towards all beings is stressed
Women are usually able to take part in all aspects of work, service and action in Buddhism
Some Buddhist traditions do have nuns, although full ordination in Theravadan Buddhism has faded out

Question 17

Christian attitudes towards racial discrimination and examples of campaigners

Answer 17

Martin Luther King

As a Christian he believed in Jesus‘s teachings on love and non-violence, and that all humans were equal in the eyes of God
He believed in and dreamed of a world where people would be not be discriminated against because of their race, but would be equal citizens
He gave speeches, organised campaigns and protest marches – all of which were peaceful and non-violent – to promote equality for all.
He said: “we must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as follows “
He said: “mankind must evolve from for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such method is love “

Question 18

The acquisition of wealth

Answer 18

This means the ways in which people become rich or wealthy, by:

Being paid for work, especially if it is a high salary job, such as a sports star, or TV presenter
Running their own business; some grow rapidly and become valuable
Inheritance, from a relative who has died
Criminal activity, such as fraud or burglary
gambling in its various forms

Question 19

The use of wealth

Answer 19

This is about how people use the money and wealth. For many people, it is a mix of:
Buying material things (a place to live, food, possessions and accessories)
Paying for holidays and travel
Giving to charities
Helping family and friends
Investing, for future needs

Question 20

Christian considerations about the acquisition and use of wealth

Answer 20

Spiritual values are the most important
A persons’ value should be based on their actions rather than their possessions
Being wealthy is not bad or wrong; it depends how the wealth was acquired.
Many Christians oppose gambling, particularly methodists and Quakers, because it encourages greed or the love of money for its own sake
Most Christians believe giving to charities in those in need is an important part of that faith. Some given a 10th of the income to good causes
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus

Question 21

Buddhist considerations about the acquisition and use of wealth

Answer 21

Giving to those in need is an important virtue
Siddhartha Gautama’s example was to leave behind a life of riches
We should avoid the extremes of having everything or having nothing, by following the middle way
It is important to gain money honestly
Giving to others is one of the most important Buddhist virtues

Question 22

Actions and attitudes of Christian charities to alleviate poverty

Answer 22

Christian aid

Attitudes:
Aims to challenge systems that favour the rich
Reflects the belief that God loves all and the dignity of all human life
Committed to being effective stewards of the planets’ resources

Actions:
Organises projects to educate people
Runs campaigns and fair trade activities
Works cooperatively with faith and secular groups
Publicises examples of inequality and poverty

Question 23

Actions and attitudes of Buddhist charities to alleviate poverty

Answer 23

Karuna trust

Attitudes:
Inspired by Buddhist values of compassion
Aims to end caste-based discrimination

Actions:
Fundraising to support individuals and communities
Organise activities that are run by local communities
Support hostels for children with disabilities