Religion and Prejudice Flashcards
What do Buddhists think about Prejudice?
Buddhism believes that as discrimination leads to suffering, then it must be wrong and should be avoided.
•The belief not to harm others or use harmful language (Five Precepts)
•Everyone should try to develop Metta (Loving kindness)
•Everyone is equal because everyone is welcome in the Sangha
•Prejudice creates bad karma and has a negative effect on rebirth
•The Dalai Lama stated that the best way to live life was to ‘Always live life through compassion’
What’s positive discrimination?
Also, think of an example.
Positive discrimination is where people who are often prejudiced and/or discriminated against are treated differently in a positive way.
Examples if this include:
•People often negatively discriminated against (eg: Gay and Black people) given jobs due to their minority status
•Befriending someone who is negatively discriminated against (eg: Gay and Black people)
What do Christians think about prejudice?
Christianity believes that all forms of discrimination are wrong.
•God created everyone equally (Old Testament)
•’There is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave or free man, male or female. We are all equal in Christ’ (New Testament)
•’So in everything, do unto others what you would have done to you’ (New testament)
•Jesus told us to love our neighbour (Sermon on the Mount)
•In the Good Samaritan story the man is helped because of his need, not because of who he was and wasn’t (New Testament)
How can religion help victims of discrimination?
Religion can provide practical and spiritual support to victims of discrimination. A religious book may have teachings which when read offer comfort and support, as well as put things into perspective. Religious leaders can offer help and just be there to listen. They can organise meetings to highlight the problems or set up support groups. They can also use school assemblies to promote tolerance and harmony.
On a spiritual level, they can pray with you or for you and if belief is strong enough, this can make you feel that you are not on your own.
