Religion and Prejudice

Prejudice is a bias, favoring or opposing something based on personal opinion or feelings. It means to "pre-judge" or make an assumption beforehand without any knowledge, factual reason, or objective consideration. It is often a synonym for racism, or discrimination against those of a certain race or ethnic background.

Discrimination is the prejudicial treatment of an individual based on their membership - or perceived membership - in a certain group or category. It involves the actual behaviors towards groups such as excluding or restricting members of one group from opportunities that are available to another group. It involves excluding or restricting members of one group from opportunities that are available to other groups.

Sexism, also known as gender discrimination or sex discrimination, is defined as prejudice or discrimination based on sex; or conditions or attitudes that foster stereotypes of social roles based on sex. Sexism is a form of discrimination or devaluation based on a person's sex, with such attitudes being based on beliefs in traditional stereotypes of different roles of the sexes.

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.

Equality - where everyone has the same value and importance

Harmony - to live peacefully with understanding and respect

Justice - to treat people fairly

Positive Discrimination - benefits given to those who usually face negative discrimination

Tolerance - to accept people's differences

Multiculturalism - racial/social harmony brought about by having many cultures within society who understand and accept each other

Minority Rights - small groups within society are called 'minority groups'; laws exist to give these groups protection and rights because they are often discriminated against by larger groups

Racism - calling someone names because of their colour

Sexism - refusing someone a job because of their gender

Ageism - refusing to listen to someone's opinion because of their age

Homophobia - someone being attacked because the attacker thinks they are gay

Religious Prejudice - killing people of a certain faith because of what they believe

Upbringing - parents' attitudes against a certain group are also believed by their children, so that they will behave in the same way as their parents against the same certain group

Bad experience - a bad experience with someone from a certain group may affect a person's attitudes to others in the same group, leading to the belief, 'They are all like that

Media - biased coverage of an event may make someone form prejudiced attitudes and apply it to the entire group because of that biased coverage

Ignorance - judging someone in a group without getting to know them

Scapegoating - blaming others as an excuse for a problem

1. Martin Luther King Jr. - Leader of the US Civil Rights Movement, due to his actions, segregation is illegal in the USA, there are equal civil rights for blacks and whites, all black Americans have voting rights and equality across every aspect of society as well as protection under the law.

2. Mohandas K. Gandhi - Led a movement against the British Empire for Indian Independence in the 1930's and 1940's, due to his actions, in 1947 the British rule in India ended and the country gained independence.

3. Archbishop Desmond Tutu - A South African black archbishop, he fought against the apartheid system of segregation and disabled it, his work in South Africa led to fielding international sports teams which included people of all races

Hinduism - Hinduism teaches that men and women are of equal worth, but have different roles and responsibilities because they have different dharmas to follow.

Islam - Islam also teaches that men and women are equal in the sight of Allah. They are individually accountable for their actions, and will be judged equally by Allah.

Christianity - Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to enquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

Judaism - The Tenakh (Jewish Bible) and the Talmud (Mishnah and Gemara collected together) describe different roles for men and women.

Sikhism - Sikh women have equal rights to men because Waheguru is neither male nor female.