Human Rights

Themes- Human Rights

censorship definition and example

• the practice of suppressing or limiting access to materials considered obscene, offensive, or a threat to security

• e.g. shows with swear words being bleeped out so children don’t hear

discrimination definition and example

• acts of treating groups or individuals differently, based on prejudice

• e.g. not letting a black person get a job just because they are black

extremism definition and example

• supporting ideas that are far from what most people consider correct or reasonable

• e.g. fascism

human rights definition and example

• basic entitlements of all human beings, afforded to them simply because they are human

• e.g. right to freedom from slavery

personal conviction definition and example

• something a person strongly feels or believes in

• e.g. equality for all

prejudice definition and example

• pre-judging; judging people to be inferior/superior without cause

• e.g. thinking a woman can’t be intelligent

relative poverty definition and example

• a standard of poverty measured in relation to the standards of a society in which that person lives

• e.g. in UK not having a phone or TV

absolute poverty definition and example

• an acute state of deprivation whereby a person cannot access most of their basic human needs

• e.g. not having access to food or water, living on the streets

social justice definition and example

• promoting a fair society by challenging injustice and valuing diversity

• e.g. protesting

examples of human rights

• right to equality

• freedom from discrimination

• freedom from slavery

• right to life, liberty and personal security

• freedom of belief and religion

• freedom from torture and degrading treatment

• freedom of opinion and information

• right to peaceful assembly and association

• right to education

• right to adequate living standards

three religious charities/organisations that support human rights

• Christian Aid (Christianity)

• Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ, Catholicism)

• ORA (Judaism)

CHRISTIAN AID- aim

give practical help globally to help stop poverty

CHRISTIAN AID- main activities

• fight against injustice

• respond to humanitarian emergencies globally

• campaign for change

• help people claim rights

CHRISTIAN AID- example of a project

• in the lifetime (ITL)- tests new processes to tackling poverty in 20+ countries

CHRISTIAN AID- teachings which inspire their work

• “blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied”

• “love thy neighbour”

• “imago dei”

• “agape”

CARJ- aim

support BAME Catholics and give them a voice in the church and world

CARJ- main activities

supporting and challenging young people in schools, parishes etc

CARJ- one of their projects

• Urban Network and Round Table Project; aims to bring together those who wish to be involved in the churches work with poor communities “in inner and outer estates”

CARJ- teaching which inspires their work

• “imago dei”, we are all made in the image of God and so should be equal

• agape

• Good Samaritan; we do not judge anyone

ORA- aim

to remove abuse in Jewish divorce process (agunahs); women dependent on husband for divorce document

ORA- main activities

• provide support service for agunahs to ease stress and give hope

• to try and find their husbands to make them sign the divorce papers

ORA- one of their projects

• run educational programs to raise awareness in Jewish communities and schools to prevent this from happening

ORA- teaching inspiring their work

“love thy neighbour”

Christian views on human rights

• human rights reflect the main principles of Christianity

• liberation theology

how do human rights reflect the main principles of Christianity (teachings)

• imago dei; all made in Gods image so are equal

• agape= unconditional love and that all should be treated this way

• Good Samaritan

• Prodigal son

• “love thy neighbour”

• Parable of Sheep and Goats

what is the liberation theology

based on the teachings and actions of Jesus who helped liberate people from unjust conditions

different Christian views on the liberation theology

• take it to mean its right to stand up against governments that oppress their people and should challenge abuse of power

• others would still want to help people but may feel religions shouldn’t be involved in politics

• peaceful protests, actively take part in supporting those harmed by injustice

four examples of Christians who fought for human rights

• Oscar Romero

• MLK

• Dietrich Bonhoeffer

• Rosa Parks

what did Oscar Romero fight for and how and what happened to him

• born in El Salvador and became archbishop of El Salvador

• lots of crime and corruption there in 1960s and imbalance of wealth

• at first he didn’t want to speak out but then a friend of his was murdered and he knew he had to speak out against the injustices and openly criticised the gov

• church protestors became the target of violence e.g. gov slogan “be a patriot- kill a priest”

• 1980- soldiers burst into a cathedral and gunned down Romero while he was celebrating mass

what did MLK do and fight for

• civil rights movement

• helped stop segregation in USA

• martyr and was killed for his beliefs

• strong Christian who was a pacifist, using non-violent methods to help further his cause

what did Dietrich Bonhoeffer fight for and how

• a pacifist in Nazi Germany who saw the Nazi’s as being wrong and that the right thing to do was to stop them

• involved in a plot to kill Hitler but was captured and executed

what did Rosa Parks fight for and how

• involved in Civil Rights movement in USA

• started the Montgomery Bus Boycott by not giving up her seat for a white person

why are human rights important to Christians

• human rights are the same as Christian teachings

• everyone is created by God and so should all be equal and human rights support this

• God loves everyone

• 10 commandments encourage you to care for others

how do human rights reflect the main principles of Islam (teachings)

• worth and dignity of every human given by Allah; absolute and cannot be taken away from anyone

• ummah; all Muslims equal no matter what and welfare of Muslims supported by human rights and creation of a just society

• active encouragement of living a good life and opposing inequalities

• Muhammad fought for equal rights for everyone

• Islamic Human Rights Commission Campaign

• zakah

two examples of Muslims who fought for human rights

• Malala

• Shirin Ebadi

what did Malala fight for and how

• fought for women’s right to education in Pakistan; kept going despite Taliban making it illegal

• used peaceful protests

• wrote blogs/accounts of her life under Taliban rule for BBC

• shot by Taliban and taken to UK

• now campaigns worldwide for education

• all teachings in Quran for both men and women and fight for these rights as Allah says everyone should have them

what did Shirin Ebadi fight for and how

• Iranian and promotes democracy and human rights for women and children in Iran

reasons people are rich

• from rich families

• well-educated

• worked hard and has a good job

• inheritance

• overpaid

• gambling

• crime

reasons people are poor

• famine/war/drought

• not well educated

• lazy and won’t work

• not enough jobs

• low wages

• live in a country lacking resources

• too unwell for a job

main causes of poverty

• climate

• natural disasters

• unfair trade

• corruption

• debt

• war

• lack of education

inequality definition

lack of equality; imbalance

Christian teachings of wealth and what they teach

• parable of Shrewd Manager “you cannot love both God and money”- teaches relationships more important than money

• ten commandments “you shall not covet your neighbours house”- teaches jealousy leads to temptation, which leads to stealing and lying

• “its easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven”- teaches wealth can cause barrier between a person and faith

• Lazarus and rich man- Lazarus poor and kind but rich man rich and mean and he didn’t get to heaven but Lazarus did

• parable of sheep and goats- teaches that good actions and helping others is what’s important and counts toward entry to heaven and closeness with God

• “blessed are the poor for theirs is the kingdom of God”- those who are faithful but poor are rich in God which is more important

• “love Lord your God with all your heart”- focus should be spiritual not material; use your time and energy and talents to keep relationship with God

• “anyone who has two shirts should give one to the man who has none”- always help others

• tithe- 10% of annual earnings donation to the church

Muslim teachings on wealth

• all money belongs to Allah- they have a responsibility to distribute it equally and justly

• zakah- one of five pillars of Islam, an obligatory 2.5% tax of a Muslims salary if rich enough to do so and this money then given to help Muslims in ned

• “whoever saves one, its as if he’s saved mankind entirely”- always give to others and be charitable as it has a big impact

• Allah created everyone equally- no one treated differently, irrespective of wealth

• equality e.g. Hajj- all pilgrims wear ihram (simple white robes) so you can’t tell whos rich or poor as everyone is equal in Allah’s eyes

• gain wealth through good means- not through illegal activity, gambling or bad services like producing alcohol

• sadaqah- voluntary giving to charity out of goodness and wanting to help others

• giving away ones property in love of Allah to orphans and poor

• khums- Shia Muslims obligatory khums, which is the donation of 20% of surplus income to teachers, orphans, homeless etc

• “riches are a source of blessing but those who seek it out of greed are like people who eat but are never full”- wealth and money not bad thing but loving and keeping it to yourself is

• “he who eats and drinks while his brother is hungry is not one of us”- should always give to others

• Islamic relief

Islamic relief values and what they do to show these values

• compassion- giving support to disasters

• justice-raising awareness for marginalised voices through the media

• stewardship; khalifah- recycling and selling donated clothes in UK

• sincerity- sponsoring over 3000 orphans in one year

stereotyping definition

an oversimplified fixed image/idea of a particular type of person or thing

examples of discrimination

• racism

• ageism

• sexism

• classism

• homophobia

• antisemitism

• islamophobia

• racism

reasons why people discriminate

• media

• where you live

• socialisation

• fear

• upbringing

• segregation

• propaganda

• ignorance

• insecurity

• indoctrination

Christian attitudes towards equality

• Jesus treated all as equal and befriended people hated by society like tax collectors and good samaritan

• imago dei- all made in the image of God so all equal

Muslim attitudes towards equality

• ummah crosses all gender, race and wealth to form one community

• Hajj; all pilgrims wear simple white garments so all equal under eyes of Allah

• Adam made from all the different clays across the world so all equal

Christian attitudes towards women in worship (all denominations)

• Catholicism= women cannot become priests as women can’t teach or have authority over a man

• others do allow like C of E- Libby Lane first female vicar

Muslim attitudes towards women in worship

• traditionally imams male but Quran doesn’t mention this

• Hadith says two of Muhammads wives led prayer

• there are female imams like Raheel Raza

Christian attitudes towards racism

• equality across all races promoted e.g. good samaritan

• lots of organisations founded on acts of Jesus to help stop racism e.g. CARJ

• Jesus taught to love everyone equally

• imago dei says all are made in the image of God so no matter race all equal

• MLK fought for freedom for black people in USA

Muslim attitudes towards racism

• Allah made Adam from soil all over Earth (different colours strengths and from different parts) so his descendants destined to be diverse

• Muhammad treated everyone equally

two examples of discrimination within Christianity

• Nazi Germany

• KKK

how did Nazi Germany discriminate within Christianity

• German protestant churches accepted Nazism into their creed “Hitler is the way of the spirit and will of God for the German people to enter the church of Christ”

• Hitler leader of Christianity alongside Jesus and Nazi ideals promoted within church and prohibited those of Jewish ancestry from working inside church

• some campaigned for Old Testament to be removed from Bible

how did KKK discriminate

• American racist, antisemitic movement that uses violence in hope of achieving white supremacy

• opposed homosexuals and immigrants

• symbol is a flaming cross and claim to represent Christian values

two examples of discrimination within Islam

• forced conversion

• same sex marriage and relationships

how is forced conversion discrimination within Islam

• Muhammad taught “there must be on compulsion in religion” but some groups like ISIS and Taliban forcibly converting people

how is same sex discrimination within Islam

• many gay Muslims can be discriminated against and even removed from family life due to Islam views against this

examples of discrimination against Christians

• persecution against Christians always taken place; martyr someone who dies for their faith

• Jesus a martyr and warned disciples they will be persecuted for their faith

• divine commission from Jesus to spread the good news or gospel no matter risks

• Christians treated unjustly in countries where Christianity is the minority religion e.g. terrorist orgs like Islamic State target Christians in the Middle East and force them from homes and have violent attacks

• Christian Freedom International and Open Arms provide support to persecuted Christians

what is Islamophobia

a distrust/dislike of Muslims, including stereotyped views presented as if they are true for all Muslims

examples of discrimination against Muslims

• Islamophobia

• greater education and understanding needed

• many women wearing hijab spat at or called named; in France its banned entirely

• Uyghur Muslims in China sent to re-education camps and forced to renounce faith

examples of person who have spoken out against Islamophobia

• Isra Mohammed= after Paris attacks in 2016, she spoke out at school assembly against Islamophobia she was receiving

example of event that helps stop islamophobia

• Visit My Mosque Day

• national initiative facilitated by Muslim Council of Britain, which encourages 250+ mosques to host open events

• aim to counter negative attitudes to Islam and encourages people to ask questions and understand role of mosque in community

what is racism

prejudice, discrimination or antagonism on basis of racial or ethnic group

xenophobia definition

prejudice against those from other countries or heritage

two examples of racism within Christianity

• Apartheid= political system making black and white South Africans live separately; white Christians defended this with religion

• segregation in USA= used religion to justify it, claimed white people descended from biblical gods and black people from serpent in Garden of Eden

three examples of movements to help stop racism

• show racism the red card= in football, focusing on kicking racism out of the sport

• take a knee= at sporting events; kneeling before the game/race in support of antiracism

• BLM= battling racism (in particular with police following death of George Floyd)

Muslim attitudes towards racism

• Adam made of different soils and clays from across the world with different colours so everyone meant to be diverse and therefore equal

• Islam had long tradition of racial equality dating back to Muhammad

• “all are equal as the teeth of a comb”

example of a Muslim who fought against racism

Farid Esack= Muslim university professor who fought against apartheid and helping HIV positive Muslims in Africa

example of Muslim org that helps stop racism

• Christian/Muslim Forum

• promotes interfaith conversation; creating more just and tolerant society

Christian attitudes towards racism

• imago dei= all equal in eyes of God so all deserve equality and respect

• equality of races promoted e.g. Good Samaritan

• follow teachings of Jesus and agape so racism bad

• Jesus helped and healed men and women from all different races

• orgs and people help stop racism e.g. CARJ and MLK

what is a campaigner

someone who actively works towards a goal

what is a conviction

firmly held belief or opinion

three examples of campaigners

• Desmond Tutu

• Malcolm X

• Desmond Doss

Desmond Tutu religion, what he campaigned for and why

• anglican

• held economic boycott of SA against apartheid

• wrote books against Apartheid

• believed everyone has good in them

Malcolm X religion, what he campaigned for and why

• Muslim

• fought against racism in civil rights movement and gave speeches

• believed black Africans should protect themselves from white aggressors “an eye for an eye”

• however this view changed after he went on Hajj

Desmond Doss religion, what he campaigned for and why

• Christian

• imprisoned and dismissed as he refused to kill in WW2 as he was a pacifist

• saved over 75 lives and medal of honour

• believed you shall not kill commandment and equality for all of Gods creation

three examples of censorship of religion and which religion

• purity ring- Christianity

• hijab- Islam

• Cross- Christianity

• Kirpan- Sikhism

example of censorship of purity ring

• Lydia Playfoot; her school banned her from wearing her purity ring as they considered it jewellery

• she took the school to high court who said they didn’t discriminate against her as its not essential part of Christian faith

example of censorship hijab

• banned in French schools and then in 2010 the burka banned in public after terrorist attacks

• meant to help inclusion

• in Iran the hijab is required which is also bad and censorship

example of censorship cross

• flight attendant not allowed to wear it over her uniform at check in desk and refused to wear it under her shirt

• court ruled against her

example of censorship kirpan

• religious symbol in Sikhism (a dagger)

• Sikhs refused entry to venues and other public places as they have the kirpan which is seen as a weapon

reasons why people turn to extremism

• hatred

• bullying/isolation

• propaganda

• media

• upbringing

• desperation

• trauma

examples of extremism/extremist groups or people

• KKK

• Anders Breivik

• Al Qaeda

• Nazis

• Just Stop Oil

• Mohammad Sidique Khan

• Lee Rigby murder

what did Anders Breivik do- beliefs and actions

• islamophobic

• lit a bomb in van outside Norway’s gov, causing 8 deaths

• then went to left wing summer camp where he shot and killed 69 people in massacre over an hour

• police came and he surrendered

• before bomb, he emailed a 1500 page essay to 1000 recipients saying Norway was “at war with Muslims and multiculturalism”

• uploaded a 12 min youtube video about the “Muslim invasion of Europe”

what did Mohammad Sidique Khan do- beliefs and actions

• oldest of four suicide bombers who attacked London transport network (7/7)

• ringleader of 7/7 attacks; student mentor and dedicated Muslim before this

• “soldier fighting war against western govs”

what did Michael Adebowale and Michael Adebojalo do- beliefs and actions

• raised Christian but converted to Islam

• didn’t like spread of western ideologies

• random attack on soldier Lee Rigby with machete, killing him and leaving him to die on the street