Religion and Equality

Question 1

Acts 17:26- quote for racial equality

Answer 1

From one man He made every nation of men

Question 2

Parable of the Good Samaritan

Answer 2

You go, and do likewise (love thy neighbour)

Question 3

How does Christianity teach that racism can never be acceptable?

Answer 3

It is hating something that God has made and therefore goes against God

Question 4

The Dutch Reformed Church is a denomination of Christianity- what did it actively support?

Answer 4

Apartheid- a system of racist segregation and discrimination in South Africa

Question 5

Where did the DRC’s justification for supporting apartheid come from?

Answer 5

When Noah was found drunk and unconscious by his son Ham, Ham told his brothers and they mocked Noah. As a punishment, Ham’s son, Canaan, was cursed by Noah to be a slave to Noah’s other sons. Also, Canaan was black (this story was also used as a justification for slavery and racist organisations like the Ku Klux Klan in the southern United States)

Question 6

What did WiIliam Wilberforce do?

Answer 6

He was a British Christian (Quaker) and politician. He led the parliamentary campaign to abolish the British slave trade for twenty-six years. Afterwards, he continued to support the campaign for the complete abolition of slavery. This led to the Slavery Abolition Act in 1833, which abolished slavery in most of the British Empire; Wilberforce died three days later.

Question 7

What did Martin Luther King do?

Answer 7

He was an African-American Christian at a time when black people and white people were segregated and racial mixing was banned in public places in many Southern states. Martin Luther King’s Christian beliefs led him to campaign against racism by leading non-violent protests against this system

Question 8

What have British churches done to apologise for their involvement in the slave trade?

Answer 8

During the celebrations that were held to mark the centenary of the abolition of the slave trade, the English Churches made a public apology for their involvement and many churches held events to educate people about this terrible history and to promote racial harmony.

Question 9

What has Dr George Carey (former Archbishop of Canterbury) said about racism?

Answer 9

‘Racism has no part in the Christian gospel … it contradicts our Lord’s command … it solves no problems and creates nothing but hatred and fear’

Question 10

What has the Anglican Church said about racism?

Answer 10

It has spoken out against the rise of the BNP and asked its members to sign promises agreeing not to vote for politicians who promote racist ideas

Question 11

What have many Christians said about the fact that in many biblical passages, it is accepted that men have more rights than women?

Answer 11

It simply reflects the society it was written for

Question 12

What is Agape?

Answer 12

Love for all people, regardless of who they are

Question 13

What does Luke 10:27 say?

Answer 13

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind: and love your neighbour as yourself

Question 14

What does the Parable of the Good Samaritan teach?

Answer 14

You go, and do likewise (love thy neighbour)

Question 15

What have many Christians said about the fact that in many biblical passages, it is accepted that men have more rights than women?

Answer 15

It simply reflects the society it was written for

Question 16

What does it say in the Tenth Commandment?

Answer 16

You must not be envious of your neighbour’s goods. You shall not be envious of his house nor his wife, nor anything that belongs to your neighbour

Question 17

What do some people say about Jesus’ disciples?

Answer 17

Some people have drawn attention to the fact that Jesus chose men as his apostles, not women. They claim that this proves that men were always meant to be the leaders in a church, not women.

Question 18

What is the importance of the women in the New Testament?

Answer 18

Jesus first revealed his divinity to the Samaritan woman at the well; when he visited Mary and Martha he praised Mary for ignoring domestic duties in order to spend time learning from him. Most importantly, women were the first witnesses of the resurrection. They are instructed to ‘Go and tell the others’

Question 19

What did Dr George Carey say about women being ordained?

Answer 19

‘What binds us together in God’s love as a church is vastly more important than a disagreement about women’s ordination’

Question 20

Paul’s letter to Galatians- quote for equality in general

Answer 20

There is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one with Christ Jesus

Question 21

Paul’s 1st letter to Timothy- quote for gender roles

Answer 21

‘A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach, or to have authority over a man; she must be silent’

Question 22

Which churches have always accepted women as equals?

Answer 22

The Salvation Army and the United Reform Church

Question 23

Which church accepted women as equals more recently?

Answer 23

The Church of England

Question 24

In which churches are women still not seen as equals?

Answer 24

The Catholic and Orthodox Churches

Question 25

What do people say about Eve and Adam in terms of equality?

Answer 25

Eve was created as a ‘help-mate’ for Adam. Traditionally this was seen as teaching that the purpose of women is to support their husband by being a good wife and mother.

Question 26

What does the Parable of the Sheep and Goats say?

Answer 26

‘I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink… I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

Question 27

Deuteronomy- quote for equality

Answer 27

‘Do not deprive the alien or fatherless of justice’

Question 28

What is the Boaz Trust?

Answer 28

A Christian charity in Manchester which helps failed asylum seekers. These are people who have not been granted asylum but are too scared to go home. They are not allowed to work in the UK and get no help from the government (which means no benefits, no housing, no healthcare and no education for their children), so they’re entirely dependent on charity for food, accommodation and legal help.

Question 29

What is the Jesuit Refugee Service?

Answer 29

An international Catholic organisation that offers counselling, English lessons and help with accessing healthcare and legal services.

Question 30

John 14:6- quote for acceptance of other religions

Answer 30

‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me’ (Jesus)

Question 31

Matthew 28- quote about evangelicalism

Answer 31

‘Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you’

Question 32

What is an exclusivist?

Answer 32

Someone who thinks their religion is the only way to salvation- this often leads them into evangelism, with the hope of converting people.

Question 33

What is an inclusivist?

Answer 33

Someone who accepts other religions and believe they have some truth in them.

Question 34

What is an inclusivist?

Answer 34

Someone who accepts other religions and believe they have some truth in them.

Question 35

What is a pluralist?

Answer 35

Someone who believes that all religions are equally valid.

Question 36

Quote about religious acceptance

Answer 36

‘In my father’s house there are many rooms’

Question 37

Leviticus 19:33- quote about racial equality

Answer 37

‘The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born’

Question 38

Matthew 18:22- quote about forgiveness

Answer 38

Jesus is asked how many times you should forgive someone- ‘Not seven, but seventy times seven times’

Question 39

Lord’s prayer- quote about forgiveness

Answer 39

‘Forgive our sins as we forgive those who trespass against us’

Question 40

Matthew- quote about forgiveness

Answer 40

‘If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly father will forgive you. If you do not forgive men their sins, your father will not forgive your sins’