Religion, Human Rights & Social Justice Flashcards
What is the UK legislative position on racial equality?
The 1965 Race Relations Act banned racial discrimination in public places and made the promotion of hatred on the grounds of ‘colour, race or ehtnic or national origins’ an offence.
What is Article 1 of the UN declaration on Human Rights?
All human beings are free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
What is the work of Dr Martin Luther King Jr on Race and Ethnicity in ethics?
Advocated for a peaceful struggle for civil rights and racial equality in the US.
He was inspired by the equality teachings of Jesus in ‘Sermon on The Mount; and God’s rescue of slaves. He organised the bus boycott to support Rosa Parks.
He made the famous ‘I have a dream’ speech to pressure the federal government into passing the Civil Rights Bill into US law.
What was Rev Eve Pitts work in Race and Ethnicity in ethics?
She was the first black female priest in the Church of England and campaigned for deep reform to make it a racially equal organisation.
She gave a sermon criticising the prejudice she was receiving and called for the Church to recognise the effects of an all white depiction of God.
She introduced an ‘ancestors arise’ ceremony in honour of those killed through slavery and imperialism known as the African holocaust.
What are the Equality Advocates?
Advocates for racial equality inspired by their faith: the committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade had 3 Anglicans, and 9 Quakers.
How do people criticise the Church?
Point out the continuing and subtle institutional racism within the Church.
Campaigners ask for honest recognition of the past in order for true healing to take place and improvements in the diversity of Church leadership.
What are key issues with religion in race and ethnicity?
Religious groups fought for civil rights and equality in the 1960s-70s. Today calls for greater recognition of the Churches role in enabling slavery. Some highlight the lack of ethnic diversity in the leadership of some churches as a significant issue.
What is the UK Legislation on gender?
Gender discrimination has been illegal since the ACT of Parliament was passed in 1975.
What does Article 1 of the UN declaration of Human Rights say about gender?
To achieve international co-operation in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.
What was Mary Dale’s work on gender in ethics?
She wrote ‘The Church and The Second Sex accusing the Catholic Church of systemic racism. She called the Virgin Mary a ‘hollow eggshell’. She argued that Christianity was completely sexist and unable to change.
What was Rosemary Radford’s work on gender in sexism?
Believes the Catholic Church is deeply sexist but believes it can be reformed, arguing Jesus taught radical equality. He advocated and included women. She believes the Church became sexist when it was made the official religion of the Roman Empire. She feels we can rediscover Jesus’ teachings of gender equality and reform Christianity.
What are the key issues in religion for gender equality?
Women are barred from leadership or spiritual positions. Women are barred from higher level theological education. Confining images of women in religious texts.
What are the influences of teachings (for gender) on traditionalists?
Argue that the Christian forefathers have been guided by the Holy Spirit in their creation of the Christian Church. They argue that women should not be leaders in the pubic facing Church. The only exception is to be a nun.
What are the influences of teachings (for gender) on reformists?
Churches such as the Quakers, Unitarians and Methodists have advocated for the equality of women and men for over 200 years. They emphasise Jesus’ teachings of equality and St Paul quote in Galatian that all are equal in the eyes of God.
What is the UK legislation on homoxeuality?
It was legalised in 1967 and in recent years brought successive reforms- finally including the recognition of same-sex marriage.
What has been done in UN Human Rights for the LGB community?
There have been various moves to incorporate the fight against prejudice and discrimination in to the work of the UN since 1994 with varying success.
What was Joseph Fletcher’s work on homosexuality?
A Christian reformist, Joseph Fletcher, believed that Jesus focused on the love commandment and he did not condemn same-sex relationships. Fletcher wrote in his 1966 book ‘Whether any form of sex is good or evil depends on where the love is fully served’.
