Human rights and social justice

Prejudice = an idea or attitude that one person holds which affects another person. often based on steriotypical views

Discrimination = action based on predudice 

Article 1 - 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

Article 2 -  Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

the old testament says "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detstable" however christians do not believe that they have to obey all the laws that are there for the jewish community. 

however in the new testement it says "neither the sexually immoral nor idolatoers nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offender... will inherit the kingdom of God" this shows that homosexuals will not go to heaven. 

however christians are often deliberating if to follow these rules:

- Liberal christians, would argue that the bible was written a time when christians didnt understand- and so they think as long as relationships are commited any are okay. 

Evangalists, would say the bible says it is wrong so it is wrong. or being homosexual isnt wrong, doing homosexual things are. 

the bible was written in a patriarchal society, and so suggest dominance of males. however nowadays many people say this needs reinterpreting.  

in the new testement jesus treats women as his equals. "there is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female; all are one in christ Jesus"

Church of england, methodist, untited reformed, and baptist- allow women to be church leaders. 

Roman catholic, othadox- don't allow women to be priests, instead they become nuns.  

Arguments for: - jesus treated men and women as equals

- times have changed from a patricarchel society

- women and men were made in the image of God 

Arguments against: -Eve was made from adams rib = inferior 

 - the teching of the church should not be made to fit in with society

- saint paul said women should be silent in church

men and women are all equal to god. "anyone, male or female, who does good works and is a believer , will enter paradise"

Muslims believe they were made for different purposes, men provide financial needs and women looks after the home and children. women can work the money they earn i considered as theirs. 

Because of demanding roles of women they are not expected to attend the mosque five times a day. however when they do attend prayers they do so in a seperate room to the men. 

the role of an iman is supposed to be only fufilled by a man, but women can do so if no man is present. 

there are muslim laws to protect women, such as covering with burquas, or single sex schools.  

christians believe no race is more importants than the other , and they are all equal to god. however there has beeen conflicts over this eg. in south africa.

many have campaigned to stop racism such as Martin Luther King 

the right to belive whatever religion one chooses, in whatever way they choose.

Article 18 of the UNDHR shows this. 

in the old testement weath is a blessing from God "the lord will grant you abundant prosperity"

however the new testement teaches that having wealth is not wrong it is how you use it and if it comes between your faith (the story of job). "it is easier for a camal to fit through the eye of a needle,for a rich man to enter heaven"

Christians should use their wealth to help the poor as in the sheep and the goats. 

this is also shon in the parable of the rich man and lazarus, where the rich man goes to hell when he doesnt help lazarus. 

zakah is one of the five pillars of islam, that every muslim should follow. this says that 2.5% of your yearly wealth should go to charity, if over a minimum threshold. 

Sadaqah is also a type of charity, with no minimum amount of effort.  

when muslims help others they try to give it to have a long term effect. as they believe wealth is given by allah and is a test so should try to hel themselves or others depending on the situation. 

LIC countries can have poverty because of: high intrest loans to try and pay dept; corrupt leaders; TNC's exploit employees for little pay; civil war; natural disaters. 

in britian most poverty comes fro being unemloyed, releying on benifits, or dept from high intrest loans. 

Christians help people to break out f this by finding work, or doing work experiance, and trying to be self suficent. 

workers are exploited in LIC's, long hours for a low wage. in britian the national minimum wage protects from this. christians disaggree with this "do not exploit the poor because they are poor" and belive everyone should get a fair days pay. 

Payday loans exploit the poor, by charging them high interst they cannot repay. 

Human trafficing exploits the poor, as criminal profit from controlling people, by giving them chance of a better life. But some could be kidnapped, forced into prostetution, or forced labour

Christians try to help the poor to become more selfsuficient "give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a lifetime"

they may not give money straight to LIC's because of corruption, spending it on war equipment ect. so instead often donate resources. 

Christians could help a charity by donating eg, to CAFOD, working for a charity, or volunteering or one.