Philosophy: Issues of Human Rights

Question 1

What does the UN article 1 state?

Answer 1

'’All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights’’

Question 2

What is social justice?

Answer 2

Promoting a fair society by challenging injustice and valuing diversity

Question 3

What is Amnesty International?

Answer 3

An organisation that works worldwide to protect people who do not have basic human rights

Question 4

What do Amnesty International do?

Answer 4

Form protest marches
Writing letters to government
Raising awareness through the media
Running school events

Question 5

Who is a person who advocated for human rights?

Answer 5

Malala Yousafzai

‘‘Everyone has the right to education’’

Question 6

What are some Christian attitudes to human rights and social justice?

Answer 6

All people are children of God and made in God’s image
Characteristics of God are reflected in humans and therefore everyone has worth value
Human life shouldn’t be destroyed or mistreated
Jesus was seen as a freedom fighter
Believe in equality

Question 7

What does the Bible say about human rights and social justice?

Answer 7

'’Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image’. ‘’

Question 8

What are some Muslim attitudes to human rights and social justice?

Answer 8

Obliged to oppose injustice and oppression
Qur’an teaches that all humans are equal
Humans have a duty in creating a just and fair society
Even criminals shouldn’t be mistreated
Worth and dignity of each individual is given by God
Support each other through zakat

Question 9

What does the Qur’an say about human rights and social justice?

Answer 9

'’Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption- it is as if he had slain mankind entirely’’

Question 10

What does Article 19 of the UN state?

Answer 10

'’Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression’’

Question 11

What does the Bible say about expression?

Answer 11

'’Go into the world and preach the gospel to all creation’’

Question 12

What are the Christian attitudes to prejudice and discrimination?

Answer 12

All human life was created by God so everyone is equal
God gave guidance to live in harmony
Jesus treated everyone equal
He healed women and lepers
Befriended Zacchaeus (a tax collector)
In Catholic tradition, women cannot be ordained as priests
Some Christian churches (eg: Methodist) allow women to be priests

Question 13

What does the Bible say about prejudice and discrimination?

Answer 13

'’There is neither Jew nor, Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female for you are all one in Christ Jesus’’

Question 14

What are the Muslim attitudes to prejudice and discrimination?

Answer 14

God created everyone equal but different
Discrimination against any human is unjust
Ummah consists of all genders, races and wealth boundaries
On Hajj, Muslims wear white to show that they are all equal
Men and women have the same ethical and religious rights
Prophet Muhammad chose a former black slave to recite the call to prayer

Question 15

What does the Qur’an say about prejudice and discrimination?

Answer 15

'’O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another’’
‘‘And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the Earth and the diversity of you languages and your colours’’

Question 16

What did MLK say and what did he do?

Answer 16

'’I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character’’
Fought racism
Used non-violent protests
Followed Jesus’ teachings to turn the other cheek

Question 17

What is absolute and relative poverty?

Answer 17

Absolute poverty: A set standard of poverty, usually includes having no access to basic services
Relative poverty: A level of income below the majority of one particular country

Question 18

What did Nelson Mandela say about poverty?

Answer 18

'’Poverty is not an accident… It is man-made and can be removed by the actions of human beings’’

Question 19

What are Christian attitudes towards wealth and poverty?

Answer 19

A person should be judged by their actions not by their wealth
Having wealth is neither good or bad
Many Christians are against gambling as it encourages the love for greed
Jesus warned his disciples that money cannot take the place of God
Christians help the poor through donations or voluntary work
Christian charities such as ‘Christian Aid’ (works in over 60 countries)

Question 20

What are Muslim attitudes towards wealth and poverty?

Answer 20

All wealth is a gift from God
Humans are the caretakers of God’s wealth
Muslims have a duty to support others in need
Zakat is given
The Qur’an forbids gambling
Muslims shouldn’t become money lenders
Muslim charities such as Islamic Relief
Charity is one of the pillars of Islam but should be given out of love, not duty