Promoting community cohesion

Question 1

Describe four actions the government have taken to promote community cohesion.

Answer 1

1) RACE RELATIONS ACT - made it unlawful to discriminate against anyone or stir up racial hatred
2) CRIME AND DISORDER ACT - allowed more severe punishment for offences related to racial or religious hatred
3) RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS HATRED ACT - made it an offence to use threatening words or behaviour about religious beliefs
4) SCHOOL CURRICULUM - made it community cohesion part of national school curriculum

Question 2

Why is community cohesion important for multi-faith and multi-ethnic societies? (Give two points)

Answer 2

Any two of the below:

• Violence, when different groups have different views on how society should be violence can become a way of life
• Society can be divided
• Lack of community cohesion makes it impossible for people to co-operate in the way modern civilised living requires

Question 3

Give two reasons why Catholics should promote racial harmony.

Answer 3

Any two of the below:

• Parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus showed that races should love each other as neighbours
• Catholic church has members of every race
• There are catholic cardinals and bishops of every race and colour of skin
• St Paul taught that all races are equal in Christ since God created all races in his image.

Question 4

Describe two ways in which religions are working to promote community cohesion.

Answer 4

Any two of the below:

• working to discover what is the same about religions
• helping with inter-faith marriages
• making sure that all children learn about different faiths
• joining local and national groups to promote community cohesion