Contemporary Issues In Christianity Flashcards

Question

What is an example of religious discrimination in history?

Answer 1

1940s, during WW2, Adolf Hitler, leader of Nazi party in Germany, tried to exterminate all Jewish people, over 6 million Jews died in concentration camps.

Answer 2

Company insisting employees dress in way that prevents them from wearing traditional religious dress. Bank refusing to loan money to someone because of their religion. Restaurant or shop refusing entry to someone because of the religious dress.

Answer 3

When allegiance to particular religious group causes prejudice against members of another group within the same faith.

Answer 4

Treating someone unfairly becuase of their sex.

Answer 5

When women’s traditional role is homemaker and child rearer while men’s role is to provide money for family.

Answer 6

The 1975 Sex Discrimination Act

Answer 7

Made it illegal to discriminate against someone because of their gender in employment. Against law to discriminate against someone because they are married.

Answer 8

Women can become nuns or religious sisters but only men can become priests.

Answer 9

Has been ordaining women into ministry since 1973.

Answer 10

In Ireland has had women ministers since 1977.

Answer 11

In more recent years has allowed women to become priests. First female bishop ordained in Britain and Ireland in 2013.

Answer 12

Physical or mental impairments which has significant and long-term negative impact on person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

Answer 13

Not always given same opportunities as non-disabled people, can affect their access to education, employment and adequate medical care.

Answer 14

An international, non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering people with intellectual disability through sports training and competition.

Answer 15

Realise their full potential. Become more self-confident. Make friends. Be proud of their achievements Become physically fit.

Answer 16

The Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. The Disabled Persons Act 1986. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

Answer 17

Aim to reduce discrimination experienced by disabled people. Became law for local authorities and councils to provide services for disabled people, e.g. home care workers, aids to daily living and provision of transport. Any new public buildings had to be accessible to disabled people, e.g. providing ramps and lifts.

Answer 18

Allowed disabled person to ask for an assessment of their needs by an expert.

Answer 19

Brought new rights for disabled people: Employment Transport Education Access to good and services Employers with more the 20 staff had to treat everyone the same.

Answer 20

Teaches that humankind is created in image of God and all humans share spiritual likeness to God: “So God created human beings, making them to be like himself. He created them male and female.” (Genesis 1:27)

Answer 21

Jesus based his teachings about other people, on love: “Love your neighbour as you love yourself.” (Matthew 22:39) When Jesus met a Canaanite woman he put prejudice aside and healed her daughter: “You are a woman of great faith! What you want will be done for you.” (Matthew 15:21-28) In story of Samaritan woman (John 4:1-26) Jesus crossed both social and religious barriers as many Jews regarded Samaritans as inferior to them.

Answer 22

Everyone is equal in eyes of God and so it is wrong to make anyone feel inferior or suffer because of differences between them: “So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and woman; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus.” (Galations 3:28) “…there is no longer any distinction between Gentiles and Jews, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarians, savages, slaves, and free, but Christ is all, Christ is in all.” (Colossians 3:11)

Answer 23

Strongly condemns discrimination against all people. Church reproves, as foreign to mind of Christ, any discrimination against people or any harassment of them on basis of their race, colour, condition in life or religion.

Answer 24

Encourages Christians to become more socially inclusive. Believes if you rarely have people from different ethnic, religious or cultural backgrounds to your home for a meal to adopt a different approach and open your heart and home.

Answer 25

Gender equality exists as men and women cannot be fully human without one another.

Answer 26

Pope Francis said refusing sacraments to people with mental illnesses or conditions is discrimination. Special mass held for people with physical and mental disabilities, broadcast live with translation in sign language, one of deacons serving was deaf and some of altar boys had Down’s Syndrome.

Answer 27

We can unwittingly assume a disabled person is less sensitive than others. When we address person pushing wheelchair, rather than person in wheelchair, devalue occupant be giving impression they do not understand, or do not wish to answer for themselves.

Answer 28

If do not challenge racism and discrimination that could quickly gather pace in Ireland under present political and economic circumstances, how can we convince others that we believe in Christ and Kingdom he proclaimed.

Answer 29

Urge all Methodists people to be open to diversity and enrichment that can come from people of different cultures, including refugees and asylum seekers. Deplore all forms of racism and seek to promote understanding and inclusion within church life and society in general. Encourage governments to show humanity, understanding, generosity and openness in dealing with asylum seekers and refugees.

Answer 30

Aims to: Promote inclusion of people with disabilities into life of Church of Ireland. Recognise contributions that people living with disability can make to church and society. Promote awareness of people living with disability. Liaise with and influence church structures and committees on issues relating to living with disability.

Answer 31

Stresses importance of caring for those less fortunate than ourselves: “If you refuse to listen to the cry of the poor, your own cry for help will not be heard.” (Proverbs 21:13) Many prophets spoke out against social injustice caused by sin and called for change: “Instead, let justice flow like a stream, and righteousness like a river that never goes dry.” (Amos 5:24)

Answer 32

Jesus spoke to women who had low status in society, spent time with them and healed them, e.g. healed Simon’s mother-in-law on Sabbath (Luke 4:38-40). Jesus cares greatly for outcasts and sinners, e.g. story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) teaches Christians to show responsibility to anyone in need rather than ignore them. Jesus healed lepers and touched them, showing great care and compassion, e.g. (Luke 5:12-14). Jesus’ message to disciples was clear: “And now I give you a new commandment: love one another then everyone will know that you are my disciples.” (John 13:34-35). Teaches that Christians should think carefully about how they treat others: “Do for others what you want them to do for you.” (Matthew 7:12)

Answer 33

Caring for others regarded as important part of being Christian, stresses importance of not being selfish: “And look out for one another’s interests, not just your own.” (Philippians 2:4) Explains how Christians can be helped by presence of Holy Spirit in their lives: “But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22) Christians encouraged to help to “carry one another’s burdens…” (Galatians 6:2). Should become part of everyday living: “So then, as often as we have the chance, we should do good to everyone…” (Galatians 6:10)

Answer 34

Being poor.

Answer 35

Condition characterised by severe deprivation of basic human needs, e.g. food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information. Depends not only on income but also on access to services.

Answer 36

Condition in which people lack minimum amount of income needed to maintain average standard of living in society in which they live. Measured by level of income family has.

Answer 37

People or communities facing financial hardships within specific geographical area.

Answer 38

Economic hardships faced by people living within a particular country.

Answer 39

Low income High costs Debt Housing costs Homelessness Poor health and disability Family situation Lack of education

Answer 40

Low wages, job insecurity and unemployment some of main causes of poverty in UK. 1 in 6 people in UK have relative low income and in NI wages lag behind rest of UK.

Answer 41

High cost of essential goods and services creates poverty. In UK, people with lower incomes spend greater proportion of household budget on rent, food and fuel.

Answer 42

People with low incomes and high costs look to financial services, e.g. credit cards, loans and overdrafts, for assistance. Low income households more likely to turn to high-cost credit users, e.g. pay-day loans, these charge higher rates of interest which difficult to pay off and some people become stuck in cycle of debt, with more money going out than coming in.

Answer 43

High cost of housing cause of poverty. Home-ownership in UK and Ireland reached low of 63%. With social rented housing in decline, more people live in private rented sector, where rents higher and housing often of poorer quality.

Answer 44

Poverty one of main causes of homelessness. Low income households lack financial resources to protect their home if face life crisis, e.g. bereavement, relationship breakdown or job loss.

Answer 45

Poverty increases risk of mental and physical illness, and disability. In UK, those in least well-off fifth of population twice as likely to develop mental health conditions, e.g. stress, anxiety and depression.

Answer 46

Being lone parent increase chance of living in poverty. Main cause of lone parent poverty is low earnings, lack of employment, low rates of child support from ex-partners and low levels of state benefits.

Answer 47

Children living in poverty more likely to leave school early with few or no qualifications. Poor quality housing, inadequate space and lack of support all lead to poor learning environment.

Answer 48

The government The church Charities The individual

Answer 49

Has policies and agencies in place to help those most in need, e.g. minimum wage limit, income support, child benefit, housing benefit and tax credits.

Answer 50

Community of people which aims to spread benefits of that community to those around them, known as ‘outreach’. Organise events and activities that benefit wider community around them.

Answer 51

Individual Christians aim to form good relations with people they meet and be there for them when they are in need.

Answer 52

Storehouse Nightlight

Answer 53

Project that provides food parcels for struggling families across Belfast. People can donate food and volunteer to help packing in warehouse or distributing food.

Answer 54

Outreach project run by Presbyterian Church. Every Friday and Saturday night, volunteers spend time on streets of Belfast giving out tea, talking and offering practical help to partygoers and homeless.

Answer 55

Non-profit-making organisations set up to help people in need. Focused on poverty, both at home and abroad.

Answer 56

Everyone has part to play in helping others. Might not be trained to help with vulnerable people but other practical ways to get involved, e.g. volunteering, fundraising for charities or giving unwanted items to charity shops.

Answer 57

Condition where individuals and communities around world experience extreme economic hardships, lacking resources required to meet basic needs for survival.

Answer 58

1. Poverty as result of nature. 2. Poverty caused by actions of people.

Answer 59

Weather Illness and disease Population growth Lack of education and skills Landlessness War and civil unrest Corruption Debt Unfair trade

Answer 60

Some of poorest regions located near equator. Difficult places to live, prone to extreme weather and natural disasters. Extreme weather and natural disasters hit poorest people hardest as more likely to work on agriculture, so extreme weather affects ability to grow crops and keep animals. Poorest regions of country often most remote, little access to health, services, electricity, communications and infrastructure, means people miss out on information about weather. Governments cannot afford to prepare in advance for natural disasters.

Answer 61

In Ethiopia, 15 droughts and famines between 1978 and 1998, resulting in injury or death of more than 1 million people. In 2015, earthquake struck Afghanistan and Pakistan, mud-brick houses and fragile infrastructure could not withstand quake.

Answer 62

Poverty increases chance of poor health as many poor countries do not have access to adequate vaccination programmes, medicine or basic medical care. Diseases that can be prevented or treated in wealthier countries, e.g. malaria, cause illness and loss of life in poor countries.

Answer 63

10 children under age of 5 die every day from malnutrition and disease in Ethiopia’s Kobe refugee camp.

Answer 64

Cost money for sick family member to receive medical treatment and many cannot afford it. If sick family member is main earner then may be loss of income, other family members may have to take on paid work to help meet household’s costs. Sick family member may need cared for and relative may have to give up work or education to help, May restrict their opportunities in future. Some diseases shunned and lead to family being excluded from community, may lead to social isolation, unemployment and further poverty. Some families made up of only very young and very old as illness or disease taken some of its members, problem of no one of working age to provide income.

Answer 65

Poorer countries tend to have higher birth rates than wealthier countries. Due to life expectancy being low and death rates high, so people had large families to ensure some children would survive to adulthood. Due to improvements in healthcare, birth rates remain high while death rates fall and population is growing, puts increased pressure on already scarce resources, causing living standards to fall further.

Answer 66

In many poor counties children have to work instead of going to school. Without basic education people find it difficult to gain well-paid, skilled employment, preventing them from improving their living conditions and they remain poor.

Answer 67

Equips children with literacy, numeracy and problem solving skills, important for day-to-day skills, e.g. understanding instructions on bottle of medicine or bag of fertiliser. Offers means to gain safer, better-paid, skilled employment, e.g, learning to keep accounts. Promotes gender equality, as educated girls tend to be healthier, have fewer children, provide better health care for children and earn more income.

Answer 68

Means not owning land. In many poorer countries people gain land by inheritance and is an indication of wealth. Means many poorer people do not own land and have no means of buying it. Also many cannot afford to own animals or agricultural equipment and have to work for wealthier people, makes them dependent on others and keeps them poor.

Answer 69

Money previously spent on welfare of country’s citizens spent on military. At family level, loss of life devastating both emotionally and financially. Loss of working-age members of family can lead to little or no household income. Third of people living in absolute poverty in developing countries live in countries defined as ‘difficult environments’ due to conflict or collapse of government.

Answer 70

Many poorer countries have unstable and corrupt governments. Small number of people hold all power and money for country and remain rich, while majority of country is poor.

Answer 71

Producers in poorer countries do not always for fair deal on products they sell. Companies from wealthier countries buy goods at low price and sold at higher price.

Answer 72

Emergency and short term aid. Long-term aid.

Answer 73

Happens in first few days of disaster. Priority of looking for survivors, providing medical care, distributing food and ensuring there is drinking water. Charities use money sent by governments from abroad for right purpose. Short-term aid stays in place until stability starts to return to country.

Answer 74

Aimed at rebuilding communities devastated by disaster. Helps restore normality for people who have lost loved ones, homes and businesses. Organisation Practical Action works with communities to reduce poverty through technology and helped villagers in Darfur, India have access to clean water by training them to use solar-powered water pump. When charities leave area, important local communities can continue process of recovery. Often provided with skills for rebuilding, recovery and sustainable development, means improving their quality of life without damaging quality of life for future generations.

Answer 75

Trócaire Society of St Vincent de Paul

Answer 76

Overseas development agency of Catholic Church in Ireland that supports the most vulnerable people in developing world.

Answer 77

Has over 400 staff members and numerous volunteers.

Answer 78

Works in over 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Middle East.

Answer 79

Just and peaceful world where: People’s dignity ensured and rights respected. Basic need are met and resources shared equitably. People have control over own lives and those in power act for common good.

Answer 80

Provides long-term support to people who live with extreme poverty in developing world, enabling them to work way out of poverty. Provides assistance to people most in need in emergencies and enables communities to prepare for future emergencies.

Answer 81

Christian voluntary organisation that works with poor and disadvantaged people. Works for social justice and creation of more just and caring nation.

Answer 82

Largest charitable organisation in Ireland with 11,500 volunteers.

Answer 83

NI and Republic of Ireland.

Answer 84

Alleviate effects of poverty on individuals and families and establish relationships based on trust and friendship. Promote community self-sufficiency, enabling people to help themselves. Seek to achieve social justice and equality of opportunity for all citizens.

Answer 85

Respecting dignity of those they assist and fostering self-respect, assuring confidentiality at all times. People helped to achieve self-sufficiency in longer term. Provide social housing, operate holiday homes and other social support activities. Members visit the sick, the poor, the lonely and the imprisoned.

Answer 86

Trade arrangement designed to help producers in developing countries achieve fair prices for their goods.

Answer 87

Producer > Middleman > Processor > Broker > Distributer > Supermarket > Consumer

Answer 88

Producer > Co-operative > Company > Supermarket > Consumer

Answer 89

Annual promotional campaign to increase awareness of Fairtrade products.

Answer 90

Every year in March.

Answer 91

Help friends, neighbours, colleagues and communities to put Fairtrade in their basket and take exploitation out.

Answer 92

Use social media for online campaigns asking for signatures to support cause or ask for change in government policy. Organise fundraising events, e.g. sponsored walks, bakes sales, clothing collections and quizzes, to help raise money to support campaigns for justice. Communities can hold information evenings to raise awareness of injustice, e.g. child labour, slavery or worker’s rights. Groups can take part in demonstrations or open air events and might be taken more seriously when campaigning for change in government policy.

Contemporary Issues In Christianity Flashcards

(116 cards)