Religion, Human rights, and Social justice

Question 1

Who published the Universal Decloration of Human Rights and when?

Answer 1

The United Nations (UN) published the Declaration of Human Rights in 1948

Question 2

Who brought into effect the European Convention of Human Rights and when?

Answer 2

The Council of Europe brought into effect the Convention of Human Rights in 1953

Question 3

Name at least 3 of the human rights stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Answer 3

Right to life
Right to an education and/or to seek work
Freedom from slavery
Freedom from imprisonment or exile without good reason
Freedom of opinion and expression
…

Question 4

What is prejudice?

Answer 4

Judging someone or something for no good reason, or without full knowledge of a situation

Question 5

What is discrimination?

Answer 5

Treating someone unjustly or differently, often because of prejudice

Question 6

What is sexism?

Answer 6

The belief that one gender is inferior to the other

Question 7

What is racism?

Answer 7

Prejudice against people of other races

Question 8

What is homophobia?

Answer 8

Prejudice against people who are homosexual

Question 9

What is positive discrimination?

Answer 9

When someone in a group that often suffers discrimination is given an advantage

Question 10

What does Christianity teach about attitudes towards equality?

Answer 10

Many Christians think that everyone was made equally in the Image of God, so they try to avoid discrimination.

“Love your neighbour as yourself” Mark 12:31 NIV
“A new command I give you: love one another” John 13:34 NIV

The Good Samaritan parable is an important Christian teaching about prejudice. It shows how prejudice can be wrong in a lot of cases.

Question 11

What does Buddhism teach about attitudes to equality?

Answer 11

Buddhists try to show karuna (compassion) towards all humans, regardless of age, gender, race or sexual orientation.

Mahayana Buddhists believe that everyone is born with Buddha-Nature (the belief that everyone has a piece of the Buddha inside of them). This means that everyone has the potential to reach enlightenment.

Buddhists believe that all humans suffer. The Dalai Lama teaches that all humans are equal because we all suffer.

Question 12

How have Christian attitudes towards gender roles shifted?

Answer 12

Traditionally, Christians believed that a man would make money and lead a family, whilst a woman would stay home and care for the children.
No women were ever permitted to become church leaders, because it was believed that they had less authority in religion.

Although some Christians still believe this, nowadays, many think that men and women can switch traditional roles.
In some Protestant denominations, there are now female ministers (although not in Orthodox or Catholic ones).

Question 13

What are Buddhist views on gender roles?

Answer 13

The Sigalovada Sutta explains that the men are the providers and the women are the caretakers. However, these roles are both of the same importance.

The Lotus Sutra teaches that both men and women can become enlightened.

Some Buddhists believe that a woman must be reborn as a man to become enlgihtened. These Buddhists use this to argue that women should not be ordained as nuns.

The Buddha initially said that women could not become nuns, but his Aunt changed his mind. This was a radical decision because at that time, women were seen as subservient to men.

Question 14

What are Christian teachings on racism?

Answer 14

Christianity teaches that racism is unacceptable, and God made everyone equal.

Christians believe it is their duty to fight off racism, which is why many Christian individuals or organisations teach others to treat everyone equally.
The Church of England recommends that people make “neighbours out of strangers” in its report, ‘Faithful Cities’.

The Church of England has been criticised for not having enough ethnic minorities their clergy, so it is now making efforts to achieve more diversity.

“From one man he made all nations” Acts 17:26 NIV
“You are all one in Christ Jesus” Galatians 3:28 NIV

Question 15

What are Buddhist teachings on racism?

Answer 15

Buddhists believe that all humans suffer because of the 3 poisons (greed, hatred and ignorance).
Feelings of hatred or dislike towards others should be extinguished and replaced with feelings of loving kindness towards all humans (metta).

If a Buddhists feels superior than others, they are ignorant. Wanting to be superior is a craving for ‘self’ and leads to suffering.
There is no fixed self (anatta), so no person can be better than another.

“We are all basically the same human beings” Dalai Lama

Question 16

What are Christian views on homosexuality?

Answer 16

Many Christians focus on loving their neighbour, and so accept homosexuality.
Many individuals of the Church of England and the Catholic Church disagree with their Churches’ stances on homosexuality.

Some Christians believe that homosexual it is a sin.
In 2017, the Church of England bishops issued a report saying that they would not change the Church’s definition of marriage as being between one man and woman.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church 2357 says homosexual acts are contrary to the natural law.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Question 17

What are Buddhist views on homosexuality?

Answer 17

Many belief that as long as a relationship does not involve sexual misconduct, same-sex relationships are completely fine (with some monasteries even holding blessings for same-sex marriages).

Buddhists living in countries where same-sex marriage is illegal (e.g. Sri Lanka) may view homosexual sex as sexual misconduct (on of the 5 moral precepts).

Question 18

Give two opposing beliefs about the influence of religious charities

Answer 18

Religious charities have too much influence.

The charities aren’t trying to convert people, just help them.

Question 19

Give two opposing beliefs about the Church of England being the state church

Answer 19

26 bishops are peers in the House of Lords, which is unfair because the UK is now more religiously diverse and many people don’t have a religion at all.

The UK is a Christian country, so this is just part of their culture.

Question 20

What are Christian views on freedom of belief?

Answer 20

Many Christians think that Christianity is the ‘true religion’, but they think that people have the right to practise any faith.

Some Christians might think the only way to reach Heaven is by being Christian, so they try to convert people (evangelism).

“[It’s] an inalienable requirement of the dignity if man.” Catechism of the Catholic Church 1747

Question 21

What are Buddhist views on freedom of belief?

Answer 21

Buddhist try to show metta (loving kindness) and karuna (compassion) towards all people, even if they have different beliefs.

Buddhists do not see the Dhamma as a set of rules, so do not try to convert anyone. Instead, they believe that everyone has their own path to enlightenment - it is up to each person to choose their path.

Tenzin Gyatso wrote a book with Archbishop Desmond Tutu called ‘the Boom of Joy’. It encourages peace between religions.

“Despite philosophical differences between them, all major world religions have the same potential to create good human beings.” Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama.

Question 22

What is social justice?

Answer 22

The idea that everyone should have equal rights and opportunities.

Question 23

How can one work for social justice?

Answer 23

Trying to ensure that different groups of people are not discriminated against or more disadvantaged than others.

Trying to redistribute wealth so that everyone can afford to live comfortably.

Question 24

What are Christian views on social justice?

Answer 24

Christianity teaches that people should help those in need.

Jesus was known for performing miracles by healing the sick and helping people in poverty. In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus teaches Christians that if you do not help those in need when able to, you will be punished.
Christian’s should therefore follow Jesus’ example - by helping those who need it, they can express God’s love.

The Catholic Church emphasises the importance of human dignity in social justice. People should be given opportunities to make the most of their lives.

“[people should be allowed] to obtain what is their due, according to their nature and their vocation” Catechism 1928

Question 25

What are Buddhist views on social justice?

Answer 25

It is import at for Buddhists to show karuna (compassion) toward others’ suffering.

Some Buddhists do this by working for social justice (e.g. working for the Karuna Trust, a charity that aims to end discrimination in Nepal and India)

Some other Buddhists focus on eliminating their own suffering by acknowledging the 4 Noble Truths. They see politics as a distraction in their path to Enlightenment and so do not work for social justice.
Instead, they might show compassion by donating food to the local poor.

Question 26

What is poverty?

Answer 26

Not having enough resources to meet your basic needs.

Question 27

What are some causes of poverty in the UK?

Answer 27

Low wages
High costs
Lack of skills so people can’t get better-paid jobs
Unemployment

Question 28

What are some causes of poverty worldwide?

Answer 28

War
Rapid population growth
Natural disasters
Exploitation

Question 29

What is the Fairtrade Foundation?

Answer 29

It is a foundation that works to ensure that people in developing countries are paid a fair price for the products they sell and that they have decent working conditions.

Question 30

Give two contrasting beliefs about giving people in poverty financial help

Answer 30

Giving money to people in poverty will make them reliant in money - they don’t help themselves get out of poverty as they prefer to keep receiving money for free.

People living in poverty need financial help, because not giving them money means they might not be able to eat or heat their home.

Question 31

Give two contrasting beliefs about helping people get out of poverty

Answer 31

It’s people’s own responsibility to get out of poverty - they should work harder to and use the money they earn responsibly.

Poverty is a result of many factors and as a society, we should help those who face illness or lack of skills and opportunities.

Question 32

What is usury?

Answer 32

Lending money at rates that go up to thousands of per cent of interest.

Question 33

What is people-trafficking?

Answer 33

People are forced to work for little to no money, after they’ve been transferred to a new place (often abroad) by traffickers.

Question 34

What are Christian views on the uses of money?

Answer 34

People with lots of wealth should use their money to help others in need.
Christians try to avoid using their money in a way that harms others.

Christian believe that we should not be fixated on wealth.

“You cannot serve both God and Money” Matthew 6:24 NIV

Question 35

What are Christian views on the ways of earning money?

Answer 35

Christians believe that we should earn money through moral ways.
Christians would oppose earning money by making others suffer (e.g. paying your employees unfair wages)

Question 36

What are Buddhist views on the uses of money?

Answer 36

The Buddha warned Buddhists of the two extremes (extremes wealth and extreme poverty). As a result, Buddhists try to live through the Middle away and only buy what they need.

Buddhists should also act with the right intention, which means being selfless. Spending money that leads to the harming of others would go against this.

Question 37

What are Buddhist beliefs about the ways of earning money?

Answer 37

For Buddhists, it is important to choose a job that allows them to live the right livelihood (so choosing to earn money in a way that hurts others is not alright).

Question 38

What are Christian views on charity?

Answer 38

Giving to charity and helping others is important to many Christians.

Christians should give to charity as part of their fathers. There are many Christian charities.

It’s best to give donations quietly and without boasting about it: this is because Christians should be selfless and should give to charity for the benefit of others, not to feel better about themselves.

How much you give isn’t important - what’s important is giving as much as you can.

“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” 1 John 3:17 NIV
“… When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets…” Matthew 6:2 NIV

Question 39

What are Buddhist views about charity?

Answer 39

Giving to charity is one way to show karuna (compassion) to those who are suffering, so it is very important to Buddhists.
For Buddhists, giving to charity must be done with the right intention. This means that we should donate to people for their benefit; not ours.

Giving to charity is especially important to Mahayana Buddhists because ‘generosity’ is one of the 6 perfection that Mahayana Buddhists strive to master.

Question 40

What is Buddhist Global Relief?

Answer 40

This is a Buddhist organisation that works to pro aid aid to people in poverty. It’s also aims to educate and support people to ensure that in the future, they will have a stable and full life.