theme f

social justice definition

• ensuring that society treats people fairly

• whether they are poor or wealthy

• and protects people’s human rights

human rights definition

• basic rights and freedoms

• to which all human beings should be entitled

how do Christians promote social justice

• following the teachings of Jesus - Parable of the Sheep and the Goats

• campaigning to improve their lives of the less fortunate in society

how do Muslims promote social justice

• giving Zakah - 2.5% of income

• becoming involved in social and community projects

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

• “all human beings are born 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 does the UDHR prohibit

• slavery

• torture

• forced labour

what rights does the UDHR include

• life

• liberty

• security

• education

• privacy

• fair trial

• family life

• free elections

• get married

characteristics protected by Equality Act 2010

• age

• disability

• gender reassignment

• marriage or civil partnership

• pregnancy and maternity

• race

• religion or belief

• sex

• sexual orientation

equality definition

• state of being equal

• especially in status, rights and opportunities

prejudice definition

• unfairly judging someone

• before the facts are known

• or holding biased opinions about an individual or group

discrimination definition

actions or behaviours that results from prejudice

positive discrimination

• treating people more favourable

• because they have been discriminated against in the past

stereotype definition

oversimplified idea or mental image of a group of people

scapegoating definition

when you blame or use a particular group as an excuse for a problem

Article 18 (UDHR) summarised

• right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion

• freedom to change religion or belief

• freedom to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance

Article 9 (UK Human Rights Act)

• Article 18

• + freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief shall be subject to limitations prescribed by law

• and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety

1993

Church of England allowed women to be ordained as priests

Christian views on sexuality prejudice and discrimination

• some Christians see homosexuality as sinful, whilst others see it as morally acceptable

• those who oppose it believe that sexual relations are for creating children, which homosexual relations can’t

Muslim views on sexuality prejudice and discrimination

• many Muslims see homosexuality as sinful and against Shari’ah law, whilst others see it as acceptable

• in some countries, homosexuality is punishable by death. In other countries, homosexual people are encouraged to repent

• some Muslim countries (e.g. Lebanon and Turkey) are debating whether to allow same sex-marriage

Christian attitudes towards racism - AGAINST

• Parable of the Good Samaritan outlined Christians should treat everyone well (Golden Rule)

• Martin Luther King Jr, Baptist Minster - violently fought segregation and oppression

• Archbishop Desmond Tutu - campaigned against apartheid, part of Peace and Reconciliation Commission

Christian attitudes towards racism - FOR

• Christian organisations in the past have been guilty of racism

• Crusades - thousands were killed in the name of Christianity

• 18th-19th century US - Southern slave owners believed they were helping slaves by forcing them to become Christian

• white-led Dutch Reformed Church supported apartheid, arguing from the Bible that God deliberately divided people into different races

  • believed South Africa’s apartheid laws were God’s will - belief God is the ‘Great Divider’

Muslim attitudes towards racism - AGAINST

• Qur’an doesn’t support the idea that racial differences justify treating people unfairly

• Qur’an teaches equality and that differences in the way people look shows God’s creativity and variety

why is positive discrimination useful

• it can be used to help groups that have previously been discriminated against gain equal access to opportunities

• e.g. people in wheelchairs having front row positions in stadiums reserved them

social injustice statistics

• 800 million suffer from chronic hunger

• 150 million homeless

• 884 million lack access to safe water

poverty definition

• not having enough money or access to resources

• to enjoy a decent standard of living

absolute poverty definition

when household income is below a certain level

relative poverty definition

• when households receive 50% less than average household incomes

• but it is changeable based on the economic growth of the country

fair pay definition

being paid at a rate that is appropriate to the work that is being done

pay day loan definition

loan which accompanies your salary when you get paid

background information on Christian Aid

• set up in 1945

• set up by Churches in Britain and Ireland

• set up to help refugees

similarities between Christian Aid and Islamic Relief

both aim to help people in poverty, refugees and those who have had their rights violated

differences between Christian Aid and Islamic Relief

• Islamic relief was set up by an individual (not the mosque)

• volunteers at foodbanks or donate targeted hardship grants