Theme F: Religion Human Rights and Social Justice

What are human rights?

Human rights are basic freedoms and protection that all people are entitled to simply as they are human beings

Examples of human rights (12 Markers)

• 1948 UN adopted universal declaration of human rights (UDHR)

  • Gives basic human rights that everyone is entitled to

  • Regardless of race/gender/nationality

  • Sets out the minimum rights for human beings to enjoy freedom/justice/peace (30 articles)

  • UK signed this declaration so citizens should apply to it

  • “All humans are born free and equal” (Article 1,UDHR)

Benefits of human rights

• These rights are meant to ensure that everyone is treated fairly, with dignity and respect, no matter their race, religion, gender, nationality, or any other status

Responsibilities that come with human rights

• Having upheld human rights comes with accompanying responsibility of upholding and respecting rights of others

• eg. Every has the right to a freedom of opinion (responsibility is that they must ensure it doesn’t not cause violence of hatred)

• However some human rights can be limited etc. prisoners lose freedom of movement

Christian Attitudes Towards Human Rights

• Support human rights → as all humans are created from the image of god so should be treated with respect and fairness

• They believe all people have dignity and worth and all are equal in the eyes of God

• “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female for you are all one in Jesus Christ” (Galatian 3:28)

• “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves” (Proverbs 31:8-9)

• Christians should stand up for others rights

Islamic Attitudes Towards human Rights

• Muslims support human rights as the Quran frequently emphasises the importance of justice

• “Indeed God commands justice grace, as well as generosity to close relatives … He instructs you so perhaps you will be mindful” (Quran 16:90)

• This means Muslims believe everyone should be treated fairly and equally and that discrimination and injustice is wrong as Allah commands it and forbade indecency

What is the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam and how might it be used in evaluation questions about human rights?

• The Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam (1990) was created by Islamic countries to explain human rights using Islamic teachings.

• It states that all humans are equal in dignity because they come from Adam and are united under Allah.

• It emphasises that human rights should follow Shari’ah law, meaning rights must align with the Qur’an and Islamic teachings.

Quote you can use:
“All men are equal in terms of basic human dignity” (Article 1, CDHR).

Examples of human rights

• Freedom of religion
• Freedom from discrimination
• Right to life
• Right to fair treatment under the law

Social Justice

• Social justice is the idea that everyone in society deserves to have the same human rights, equal treatment, and a fair share of community resources

When does social justice exist:

• human rights are upheld

• wealth is distributed fairly

• no one is exploited

• injustice is challenged

• Governments can work towards social justice by passing laws and providing support to programmes that aim to support social justice and reduce inequalities

Examples of Social Injustice:

• racial inequality

• the rich having access to better resources than the poor, for example, healthcare or education

• people living in poverty

Two ways religious believers work for social justice

• Volunteer for organisations involved in social justice

• donate money to organisations

Christian attitudes toward social Justice

• Christians believe they should promote social justice by helping people who are suffering or in need.

• This means supporting the poor, welcoming outsiders, and caring for vulnerable people because helping others is seen as serving God.

• Jesus teaches this in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats: “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat… whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:35–40).

How might situation ethics influence Christian views on social justice?

Situation ethics teaches that the most loving action should be chosen in each situation.

• Christians may apply this idea when responding to poverty, discrimination, or injustice, choosing actions that show the greatest love and compassion.

• This could mean campaigning for equality, helping refugees, or supporting charities that reduce poverty.

Muslim attitudes towards social justice

• Muslims believe they should promote social justice and equality, because all people are created by Allah and should be treated fairly.

• This means Muslims should challenge racism, discrimination, and injustice in society and ensure people are treated with dignity.

• The Prophet Muhammad taught this in his Last Sermon: “An Arab is not better than a non-Arab… a white person is no better than a black person”, showing that all people are equal.

Why does Shariah law promote social justice?

• Many social and community projects promoting social justice are run through local Muslim communities and mosques to help the Ummah

• Charities such as Islamic Relief work for social justice and alleviate poverty across the world

• Five pillars are obligations to social justice

  • Zakah - Chartiy where Muslims are required to donate money to the poor

  • Sawm - Fasting calls on muslims to fast to empathise with the poor

Give two religious beliefs about social justice

• The Bible and Qur’an both teach about the need for social justice and that all humans are equal in the eyes of God

• Both Christians and Muslims support social justice and run projects to support the poor and those suffering injustice

Equality

• State of being equal especially in rights status and opportunities

Prejudice

• Unfairly judging someone before you know them.

• Holding biased opinions about an individual or a group

Discrimination

• Treating someone unfairly based on prejudiced thoughts about them

How are people in the UK protected by law?

• Equality ACT 2010 mentions it is illegal to discriminate on the grounds of “protected characteristics “

• Which include race/gender etc..

• Act aims to ensure everyone is treated equally

Positive Discrimination

Treating people more favourably because they have been discriminated against in the past

Christian views towards homosexuality (fully support)

Humans are made in the image of God (Imago Dei) so everyone deserves respect and equality.

• Jesus taught agape (selfless love) and “Love your neighbour as yourself”, so Christians should show acceptance.

• Some believe Bible teachings against homosexuality were contextual to the time they were written and do not apply in the same way today (New testament teaching is built around cultic prostitution in the temples doesn’t apply to Loving same sex relationship)

• METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH - worldwide denomination that has grown from LGBT community and therefore accepts all relationships

• Therefore many liberal churches bless or perform same-sex marriages. (eg. QUAKERS)

Christian views towards homosexuality (fully against)

• Some Christians believe heterosexual marriage is God’s plan, shown in Adam and Eve: “a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife” (Genesis 2:24).

• Some take Bible teachings condemning homosexuality literally.

• For example, “men who have sex with men… will not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9–10). - Pauls teaching to the Corinthians

• Therefore they believe homosexual acts are sinful and do not support same-sex marriage in church.

Muslim attitudes towards homosexuality

• Many Muslims believe same-sex relationships go against Allah’s design for humans.

• The Qur’an condemns men lusting after other men: “How can you lust after men instead of women?” (Qur’an 27:55).

• Because Shari’ah law forbids homosexual acts, they are seen as sinful and same-sex marriage is not permitted in Islam.

• Can carry sever punishments and people are encouraged to repent if homosexual acts have been committed

Why do some Muslims accept homosexuality?

• Muslims would say that homosexuality is acceptable in this day and age.

• only Allah can ultimately judge people’s actions on the Day of Judgement

• condemn homosexuality are contextual to the time in which they were written - they do not apply in the same way today

• love between a homosexual couple can be just as strong as a heterosexual couple; therefore it is acceptable to be a Muslim and be gay

Examples of Positive Discrimination

• being given a job

• gaining promotion in a job

• a disabled person being part of an able-bodied sports team

Racism

• Racial prejudice and discrimination means showing prejudice to someone based on their ethnic group or nationality

• Racism is based on the belief that some races are inferior to others - linked to skin colour

What acts have been put in place against discrimination?

• Equality Act 2010

• Makes it an offence to speak or behave in a religious way

• Education for racism → “Show racism the red card”

Christian belief of racism

• oppose discrimination as God treated everyone equally

• bible teaches equality fo all humans

  • as we all created in Gods image/by God

• 'There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.' (Galatians 3:28) 

Christian belief of racism (love)

• Jesus teaching Golden rule/Love thy Neighbour

• show “agape” love respect and kindness to others that they wish to receive themselves

• “God does not show favouritism” (Roman 2:11)

Example of Racism in Christianity

• Dutch Reform Chruch

• Apartheid kept black and white people separate

• White people had all the privileges, including the ability to vote

• Black people did not have fair access to education, housing, employment and other public services

MLK - Racism

• Christian Baptist minister who campaigned for equal rights for black people in USA

• king led the civil rights movement → organising campaigns and protest marches to achieve equality

• Nobel peace prize in 1964

Muslims - discrimination

• do not support racial prejudice/discrimination

• islam teaches that allah created everyone equal but different

• ‘People we created you all from a single man and a single woman and made you into races and tribes so that you should get to know one another’ (Qur’an 49:13)

• This was Allahs design therefore to discriminate is wrong

Muslim - Racial

• Muhammad allowed a black african to be a muezzin (call to prayer)

• Muhammad final sermon

  • ‘An Arab is not better than a non Arab and a non-Arab is not better than an Arab; a white person is not better than a black person, nor is a black person better than a white person…’

• Ummah makes no distinction between people o different races

  • Demonstrated in Hajj (Ihrams)

What is religious freedom?

• right to believe of practise whatever religion one chooses

• UDHR (Article 18)

• “Everyone has the right to freedom of though/conscience/religion”

Equality in Islam

• god created everyone equal

• but of different value

• Muhammad “People are as equal as the teeth of a comb”

• judges on how well they live their life in obedience to God

Equality

Means to be equal especially in status/right/opportunities

Equality - Christianity

• created in gods image

• equal value and can have a relationship with god

• James warns against prejudice/discrimination

• Christians are encouraged to treat everyone as equals

Christians - Religious Freedom

• support freedom of religious expression

• Christianity teaches tolerance and harmony

• “love thy neighbour” and the golden rule

• “Whoever is not against us if for us” (Mark 9:39 -40)

Christianity - Religious Expression

• Jesus said there were many ways to worship God

• “My father house has many rooms “ (John 14:2)

• often interpreted that there are many ways to worship god and enter heaven

Christians against religious freedom

• Christians do believe that the only way to salvation is through belief in Jesus

• which is why Christianity has always been a missionary religion; trying to convert others /

• ‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations’ (Matthew 28:19) /

Muslims - Religious Freedom

• Islam human rights are viewed through CDHR

• Bases right of Quran sunnah and Islamic legal tradition

• states that Allah created all humankind

• and that all are equal and encouraged acceptance of freedom and religion

• ‘there is no compulsion in matters of faith’ (Qur’an 2:256)

Muslims - Religious Freedom (BOOKS)

• Muslims show religious tolerance towards Jews/Christians

• They are seen as “People of the book” meaning they have recieved revelations from allah

• however they still believe that these have been corrupted there is a form of right of religion to their beliefes

• ‘Let him who will, believe and let him who will, reject it’ (Qur’an 18:29)

Women inmodern day

• traditionally role of women were housekeepers and men earned money

• views are regarded as outdated by many people

• Men are called “Care takers of women” (Quran 4:34)

• Women now work professional roles and earn money

  • and men are expected to take a greater share of roles within the home

Women in Christianity Against

• women were not allowed to be priests

• Paul “women should remain silent in worship” and play no active role

• reflect social norms at the time

• Ephesians 5:22 “woman should submit to their husbands”

Women Christianity support

• Genesis 1:27 teaches that men and women are created in the image of God

• Jesus treated women with great respect

• welcomed them as followers eg Martha and Mary

• women were the first witnesses to the resurrection

• earliest converts to Christianity were women eg. Priscilla in Ephesus

Women in modern day christianity

• many modern christian denominations

• women is regarded as having say religious authority s men and officiate at the highest levels

• eg. Since 2014 women have been consecrated as Bishops in Church of England

• in RCC/Orthodox they are not recognised

  • as apostles of jesus and jesus was a man

  • so a woman cannot take on his role

Muslims views of women

• created in equal sight of Allah

• have the same spiritual nature

• women have may rights → right to freedom of expression

• however equality does not mean identical and men and women have different roles

• “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women” (Quran 4:34)

• man roles tend to be able to provide to family

• while women is to take care for the home/family

• these roles are not compulsory

Christian - Wealth

• jesus warned → dangers of materialism → saying that attachment to worldly good

• may cause spiritual problems

• focusing on wealth → could lead to ignoring God

• not focussing on ones spiritual life

Jesus and rich man

• jesus did not teach it was wrong to be wealthy

• parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21)

• unwilling to give away monetary wealth

• “For the love of money is the roots to all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10)

Jesus and types of wealth

• taught that spiritual wealth is far more important that material wealth

• it is important to put God first rather than money

• “No one can serve two master … You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24)

Christianity and responsible use of wealth

• recognise that wealth is a gift from god

• “Wealth and honour come from you” (Chronicles 29:12and14)

• they should use wealthy responsibly to help people in need and not be selfish

Example of responsible use of wealth

• Parable of Rich man and Lazarus

• rich man end up in hell for refusing to help beggar

• shows the consequences of failing to use wealth to help others

• and greed

How can Christians responsibly use wealth?

• support of ones family / help others

• Tithe to support the church

  • ‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the tree belongs to the Lord.’ (Leviticus 27:30)

• Support Charities eg. Christian Aid

• Being content with what you have

Muslim teaching on attitudes to wealth (Against)

• wealth distracts a muslims and lead them away from Allah

• may lead person to seek wealth from forbidden actions eg. gambling (these actions take advantage of people)

• wealth must be obtained through honest work

• ‘Beware of greed for it is ready poverty’ (Hadith)

Islam and responsible wealth

• wealth is a gift from allah that must be shared across to ummah

• it should be used to benefit everyone and people shouldn’t hoard excessive amounts

• humans are caretakers of what Allah has given them

• ‘Tell those who hoard gold and silver instead of giving in God’s name that they will have a grievous punishment.’ (Qur’an 9:34)

How should Muslims use wealth reponsibly?

• first take care of his family

• duty to give to charity

• on Yawmuddin you are asked how you have spent your wealth (and reward/punished)

  • “Allah sees all that you do” (Quran 2:110)

• wealth should be used to support others via zakat/Sadaqat/khums

• donate to charities such as Islamic relief

• ‘Give relatives their due, and the needy … Do not be tight-fisted.’ (Qur’an 17:26-30)

Exploitation of the poor

• misusing power or money to get people to do things for little or no reward’

• eg. unfair pay/excessive loans

Reason for poverty

• people may be in position of illness/disability to help themselves

• addicted to drugs/gambling → hard to overcome addiction

• ‘sanctioned’ and so suddenly find themselves in need of help and support.

Reasons against poverty

• everybody has money and talents

• opportunities are available if people looked for them

• people should not rely on others and should be self-reliant

• parable of talents use the talents god has given

• ‘For to everyone who has more will be given and he will have an abundance.’ (Matthew 25:28)

Christians towards fair pay

• Christians would support fair pay

• God created all humans in his own image

• Everyone matters and everyone is equal to God

• Justice and equality are important

• ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you’ (Luke 6:31)

Muslims towards fair pay

• Muslims would support fair pay

• Islam teaches that everyone was created by Allah

• Everyone is equal before Allah

• Justice and equality are important

• Brotherhood → Workers must be honest and employers must provide good working conditions

Christians on Excessive Loans

• old testament teaches that it is forbidden to charge interest

• ‘Do not charge your brother interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest’ (Deuteronomy 23:19)

• they do not oppose charging interest on loans but excessive interest rates

• which exploit the poor who are vunerable/need of support

Christians on poverty

‘Do not exploit the poor because they are poor’ (Proverbs 22:22)

• money is a gift from god and should be earned honestly and used wisely and responsibly to help others

Muslims on excessive loans

• lending money and charging interest (riba)

• is forbidden in Islam

• it is known as usury

  • “God blinds usury”

• goes against shariah law and exploits poverty

• muslims are encouraged to share their wealth with others

• quran teaches people to have patience (sabr) with people struggling to pay loans

• ‘If someone is in hardship, then [let there be] postponement until [a time of] ease.’ (Qur’an 2:280)

Islam of Wealth (P2)

• All wealth is a gift from Allah,

• humans are stewards of Allah’s wealth and will be judged on its use

• earning a lawful livelihood is an obligation ‘No one eats better food than that which they have earned by their own labours’ (Hadith)

• the value of money is in what it can do which includes providing for family and self

• people should contribute to the ummah not draw from it

What is people trafficking?

• People trafficking, or human trafficking, is when people are illegally transported from one country to another

• eg. due to refugees and migrants, forced labour

• exploit vulnerable people who may be seeking opportunities and a better standard of life in other countries

• It is often referred to as ‘modern-day slavery’

Christian Reponses to people trafficking

• condemns people trafficking in all circumstances

• “image dei” → life is sacred etc..

• goes against golden rule/agape

• justice/equality are important

• victisms should be offered help and support → eg. Salvation Army does this

Example of povetry abuse?

• Primark

• Clothes made by children

• worked long hours

• 60p wage

Islam Reponses to people trafficking

• Islam condemns people trafficking in all circumstances

• Everyone is equal before Allah

• Justice and equality are important and people trafficking exploits vulnerable people 

• It goes against all Islamic principles

• The Qur’an teaches that to ‘liberate those in bondage’ (Qur’an 2:177) is a worthy act

What is poverty?

being without money, food or other basic needs of life

Christian teachings on poverty

• duty to help those in povertry

• Parable of sheep and goats/golden rule

• They have a duty to show compassion

• ‘Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you’ (Ephesians 4:32)

Christian teaching on poverty

• god has created everyone equal

• human life is sacred

• so earth resources are shared equally by humans

• ‘The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth, you founded the world and all that is in it’ (Psalm 89:11)

what does poverty influence christains/muslims to do?

• some do voluntary work

• eg. sadaqah

• some take part in training course and participate in food banks

Muslims on poverty

• Muslims support charities eg. islamic relief as

• ‘If any saves a life, it is as if he saves the lives of all mankind’ (Qur’an 5:32)

• Muslims also pay zakat 2.5% / khums 20% / sadaqah voluntary

  • to gain favour with allah

  • as “Allah sees what you do”

Islamic Relief

• Provide aid to those living in poverty.

• Includes emergency aid when there had been a disaster.

• Islamic relief also provides long-term aid.

• Work with local communities to promote sustainable economic and social

development so that communities support themselves.

• Aim to enable people to break out of poverty and secure their own future

without the need for charity.

Chrisitian Aid

• A Christian charity working to end poverty and injustice worldwide

• Provides emergency aid + long-term development (water, education, farming) and campaigns for justice

• Based on teachings like “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31) and the *Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37)

• 👉 Shows faith in action, helping all people regardless of religion and promoting equality