Religion and Prejudice

Question 1

What is the difference between prejudice and discrimination?

Answer 1

PREJUDICE is making judgements about someone before you know them, usually in a negative and stereotypical way.
DISCRIMINATION is acting upon these views and opinions e.g. by not hiring someone for a job or using violence against them.

Question 2

What is tolerance?

Answer 2

Tolerance is accepting all people and valuing their contribution to life and society. People should be allowed to keep their own beliefs, practices and ways of life as long as they do not harm others or break the law.

Question 3

What is justice?

Answer 3

Justice is bringing about what is right, fair, according to the law or making up for what has been done wrong e.g. Sex Discrimination Act 1975, Race Relations Act 1976, Disability Discrimination Act 2005.

Question 4

What is harmony?

Answer 4

Harmony is living in peace with others. It requires people to act justly and have tolerance and understanding of others, even when they are different.

Question 5

What is value of the individual?

Answer 5

Belief that each individual is created by God and has a special value - based on teachings about the SANCTITY OF LIFE.

Question 6

What is human rights?

Answer 6

Basic rights and freedoms that everyone is entitled to. UN Declaration formed after WW2 stated 29 rights all people should have e.g. right to life, clean water, education.

Question 7

How does discrimination go against Christian belief in God’s design?

Answer 7

All humans are ‘made in God’s image’ (Bible) and deserve respect. As Christians believe that God created men and women in his own image, they should respect all ethnicities and genders.

Question 8

Why does Jesus’ teaching ‘Love thy neighbour’ mean Christians should be against prejudice and discrimination?

Answer 8

Christians believe that “Love thy neighbour” (Bible) means to help and love everyone around you. For many, but not all, Christians this includes those of other ethnicities (races), genders, sexuality, religion and ability.

Question 9

What does the Parable of the Good Samaritan teach Christians?

Answer 9

The Parable of the Good Samaritan shows that people should not be judged or stereotyped but valued as individuals. In Jesus’ time, Samaritans were treated badly, but it is the Samaritan who helps the injured stranger.

Question 10

How does Jesus’ attitudes and actions towards others show tolerance of others?

Answer 10

Jesus socialised with the outcasts of society and welcomed tax collectors and sinners into heaven. He washed the feet of others that were discriminated against

Question 11

How did Christians not follow these teachings in USA in 1960’s?

Answer 11

In the southern states of the USA there used to be the Jim Crow Laws, or segregation, which separated black and white people. Many Christians defended these laws.

Question 12

How have Christians used the Genesis creation story to justify unequal treatment of women?

Answer 12

In the Bible it says that women are the “weaker partner” and in Genesis, Eve is called a “helpmate” for man. Therefore, women are often seen as inferior to men. Also, Adam was made first in the second book of Genesis. Eve was made from his rib.

Question 13

What did Jesus’ 12 main followers suggest about the roles of men and women?

Answer 13

As all 12 disciples were men, it suggests that only men should have leadership roles in the Church.

Question 14

What did St Paul say about the role of women in church?

Answer 14

St. Paul said women should not teach in church. It was also suggested that they should cover their heads.

Question 15

How can Jesus’ resurrection be used to support a more positive attitude to women?

Answer 15

The Bible places an importance on Mary Magdalene who Jesus appeared to first after His resurrection.

Question 16

How can Genesis also be used to support women’s equality?

Answer 16

In Genesis male and female were both made in God’s image.

Question 17

Why has the traditional Christian household seen different roles for men and women?

Answer 17

In traditional Christian households women have often stayed at home and looked after their children. It is the man who makes decisions and is the main earner. St Paul said in the Bible, “at the head of every man is Christ, at the head of every woman is man”, which has often reinforced these stereotypes.

Question 18

Why is the Roman Catholic Church accused of sexism?

Answer 18

In the Catholic Church the Pope is a man and women cannot become priests. It is suggested that St. Paul’s comments on women not teaching in church reinforce this.

Question 19

Where can more positive attitudes among Christians be found?

Answer 19

In the Church of England and most protestant churches women can be vicars or ministers.
Many Christians value women. They will say that we are all equal and there are examples of successful women in the Bible

Question 20

What do many Christians see homosexuality as a sin?

Answer 20

They may argue that homosexuality is unnatural and not part of God’s plan. They could point to the idea that sexual intercourse is only for procreation (making children). In Leviticus “You shall not lie with a man as with a woman; that is an abomination.” Also in the Bible, the story of the city of Sodom is often seen as demonstrating God’s disapproval of homosexuality.

Question 21

What is the Christian churches attitudes to gay marriage?

Answer 21

The Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England do not allow gay-marriage despite changes in the law.

Question 22

Why may other Christians show respect and tolerance towards homosexuals?

Answer 22

Christians may use the quotes ‘love they neighbour as yourself’ and the Golden Rule as reasons to respect homosexuals. After all, prejudice is not agape. Also, God gave humanity freewill, so some may say people can be gay if they choose to.

Question 23

3 Bible teachings on Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Answer 23

1. Jesus asked God to forgive those that crucified Him whilst on the cross.
2. Parable of Unforgiving Servant - Jesus is asked how many times he should forgive his brother, he replied 77x7 and went on to explain that for God to forgive you, you must forgive others.
3. ‘Love your enemies’ suggests that you should care about and reconcile with those who have had problems and conflicts which encourages forgiveness.

Question 24

How are the Buddhist 5 Precepts relevant to prejudice and discrimination?

Answer 24

The first is not to harm any living thing. Prejudice and discrimination could lead to harm, such as during the Holocaust.

Question 25

How would the Buddhist belief in ‘metta’ encourage tolerance and harmony?

Answer 25

Metta means showing loving-kindness to all sentient beings, including all types of people.

Question 26

What did the Buddha teach that is against prejudice and discrimination?

Answer 26

The Buddha taught everyone has equal potential for reaching enlightenment and that he rejected the CASTE system which separated people by birth and gave them unequal rights and opportunities.

Question 27

What does Buddhism teach about men and women reaching Enlightenment?

Answer 27

In Buddhism, both men and women can be enlightened. There is no reason why men are mentally superior to women.

Question 28

What evidence of sexism is there in the Buddhist monasteries?

Answer 28

Although there are Buddhist bukkhunis (nuns), many Buddhist countries do not allow women to be fully ordained. Thailand is an example. Theravada Buddhism, nuns have more rules to follow than monks.

Question 29

Does Buddhism call homosexuality a sin?

Answer 29

Unlike other faiths, Buddhism does NOT call homosexuality a sin. Although some Buddhist groups see heterosexual marriage for people as the norm, most Buddhists make no distinction between homosexual and heterosexual partnerships. However, the third precept of avoiding sexual misconduct applies to both.

Question 30

What evidence of prejudice and discrimination is there in Buddhist monasteries?

Answer 30

Tibetan Buddhism has barred ordination to pandakas (passive homosexuals).

Question 31

What is positive discrimination?

Answer 31

Positive discrimination is the process of giving preferential treatment, especially in employment, to minority groups of society that have been prejudiced against in the past.

Question 32

Why is positive discrimination seen as necessary by some religious believers?

Answer 32

Positive discrimination is a way of increasing the numbers of minority groups such as women and disabilities in the workplace.

Question 33

How would Jesus’ attitudes and actions support positive discrimination?

Answer 33

Jesus showed positive discrimination when performed miracles to heal the paralysed and blind. He also chose to appear to women at his resurrection. ‘Love your neighbour’ can be interpreted as helping those in need against difficulties they face.

Question 34

Why might other Christians be against positive discrimination?

Answer 34

If all people are created equal and in the image of God then why should anyone get preferential treatment?

Question 35

What are the causes of stereotyping that leads to prejudice and discrimination?

Answer 35

Some causes of stereotyping are:
Media
Scapegoating
Ignorance
Bad experience
Parents/ Upbringing

Question 36

What are the ways of overcoming prejudice and discrimination?

Answer 36

Changing Laws
Non-violent protest
Violent protest 
Charity campaigns
Forgiveness

Question 37

How did Archbishop Desmond Tutu overcome prejudice and discrimination?

Answer 37

Desmond Tutu campaigned against APARTHEID (unequal separation of blacks and whites) in South Africa. When apartheid ended he was put in charge of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This was aimed at offering forgiveness in exchange for whites and blacks confessing to crimes committed during apartheid by telling the truth.

Question 38

What did Martin Luther King Jnr do to overcome prejudice and discrimination?

Answer 38

MLK used non-violent protest to campaign against segregation:

1. Organised the Bus Boycott after Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat for a white man. This was one of the Jim Crow Laws that discriminated against blacks.
2. He led a march in Washington which ended with his famous ‘I have a dream’ speech demanding equality for blacks.

Question 39

What is interfaith dialogue?

Answer 39

When believers from different faiths get together and talk to each other with the aim of improving relationships through better understanding. E.g Christian Muslim Forum.

Question 40

Who is Thich Quang Duc?

Answer 40

Due was a Buddhist Vietnmese monk who protested against the Vietnam war and discrimination against Buddhists in Vietham. He set himself on fire in the middle of a busy road. Not all Buddhists agree with this type of violent protest - known as self-immolation as it goes against the 1st Precept ‘avoid taking life’.

Question 41

What are effects of prejudice?

Answer 41

Great harm - people can be made to feel worthless, frightened and vulnerable for being who they are. It led to 6 million Jews and other groups being murdered by Hitler and the Nazis during WW2.