Religion and Prejudice

Question 1

What different types of prejudice there are (and how people show their prejudice) (6)

Answer 1

1. Religious e.g. the situation in Northern Ireland where Catholics and Protestants do not generally mix with one another. Hitler and the holocaust.
2. Racism and colour e.g. when people call others names because of the colour of their skin and where they come from e.g. French (Frogs) People have been attacked and killed because of prejudice e.g. Anthony Walker (black student from Liverpool)
3. Sexism (Gender) e.g. women generally find it difficult to achieve Managerial positions in companies and get paid less for working in similar jobs as men
4. Ageism e.g. the difficulty some workers discover when trying to get a new job once you have passed 50 years old
5. Homophobia e.g. the fear of homosexuals. Some people do not make friends/speak to homosexuals
6. Disability discrimination e.g. those people who suffer discrimination in the workplace or who are denied access to services e.g. shops (no access ramp/lift/toilet etc.)

Question 2

Why people are prejudiced (6)

Answer 2

1. Ignorance
2. Stereotyping
3. Scapegoating
4. Influence of parents, media, peer pressure
5. Personal experience e.g. having been a victim yourself
6. Fear of difference

Question 3

How tolerance, justice, harmony and the value of each person are relevant in this issue (4)

Answer 3

1. Tolerance = the ability to cope with people having different ideas or views from you.
2. Justice = fairness; everyone having the same rights; people being treated as ends in themselves
3. Harmony = people living together to help each other
4. Value of each person = each person was created by God and has a soul, and therefore should be valued.

Question 4

Religious attitudes to all specific types of prejudice – racism, sexim, homophobia, ageism, religious prejudice (6)

Answer 4

1. Religious – most religions believe that people must follow the teachings of their religion; though all religions teach the importance of harmony and tolerance
2. Racism – (Gospel) Good Samaritan. Though some Jews believe that they are a chosen race.
3. Sexism- all catholic priests are male/believe equal but different/nearly all Hindu priests are male
4. Ageism – (Exodus) honour they father and mother – all religions believe we should respect our elders.
5. Homophobia – most religions disagree with homosexuality because they believe the purpose of sex is procreation. However, Pope Francis has said ‘Every person, regardless of sexual orientation, ought to be respected in his or her dignity and treated with consideration’
6. Disability discrimination Jesus mixed with outcasts, lepers etc. who were looked down on by people (though some religious believers think that disability is karma for bad actions in a previous life)

Question 5

What specific individuals have done to fight racism, and other prejudice (7)

Answer 5

1. GANDHI
2. Fought apartheid laws (whites and blacks were separated in public places) in South Africa
3. Use peaceful non co-operation (believed in non-violence, as a result of Hindu upbringing and having read teachings of Jesus)
4. Fought for Untouchables (lowest class/caste group in society)
5. Led boycott of British goods (persuaded people not to buy them)
6. Refused to pay taxes e.g. on salt
7. Wore dhoti (loincloth) to show equality with poor

Question 6

What the government has done to fight prejudice, e.g. the Race Relations Act (5)

Answer 6

1. 1975 Sex Discrimination Act (equal pay for men and women doing the same job)
2. 1976 Race Relations Act
3. 1995 Disability Discrimination Act
4. 2006 Equality Act (against religious discrimination and ageism)
5. Civil partnerships

Question 7

What positive discrimination is, and why it happens (4)

Answer 7

1. This is when people are treated better because they have been discriminated against in the past e.g. the elderly, ethnic minorities, disabled, homosexuals, Jews etc.
2. In interests of equality; Gender reasons e.g. enabling women to become managers; Disability reasons e.g. helping those with a handicap get a job
3. Ensures minorities are represented e.g. homosexuals
4. May help to get a gender / race / culture balance so as to have other views represented

Question 8

How religions respond to prejudice and discrimination and help victims (3)

Answer 8

1. Leaders like MLK and Gandhi fought against prejudice and were inspired by religious teachings
2. Religious leaders speak out and write things – e.g. Pope Francis
3. Religious organisations provide support for the victims of discrimination and pray for them

Question 9

Why people disagree with positive discrimination (2)

Answer 9

1. Could lead to resentment e.g. older person chosen for a job
2. May mean that the best talent is overlooked