Contempory Issues In Christianity Flashcards
(44 cards)
What does Prejudice mean
It means to pre-judge and is a negative attitude towards people based solely on a group to which they belong. It is based on an unfounded or unreasonable opinion.
EG: assuming someone with lots of tattoos is a criminal.
What is discrimination
This is when people are treated unfairly by others because of prejudice. It is a negative action towards a group and results in unequal treatment.
EG: Black people at the time of MLK were not allowed to go to parks.
What is stereotyping
The assumption that a person shares all the (usually negative) characteristics of a group to which it is assumed they belong.
Eg: People with blonde hair are unintelligent.
What is positive discrimination
To deliberately treat a person favourably because of race, religion, gender or disability.
EG: to hire someone of a specific religion or gender to fulfil a quota.
Humans are born prejudiced, they cannot change the way they are. Agree?
Humans are inherently disposed to fearing things that are different to them.
This fear can lead to hate and alienation.
Part of human nature is association – this then forms part of one’s identity, culture and experience of the world. E.g. 1950s America – white people defining themselves as ‘superior to black people’
In the Bible it can be argued that God has favourites, eg: in Leviticus, God prefers heterosexuals to homosexuals; God’s chosen people are the Jews – God prefers Jews to any other religion.
Humans, by their nature, are inclined to sin.
Humans are born prejudiced, they cannot change who they are. Disagree?
Judgements are formed by one’s environment and upbringing – people can change based on their experiences.
Part of human development is forming and changing opinions – this is influenced by external factors, not something inherently born with.
Understanding can alleviate fear of the unknown.
The excuse: “I can’t change the way I am” is a cop out to avoid responsibility for one’s actions and a poor attempt to justify prejudice.
There are countless examples of individuals dropping their prejudices based upon getting to know people from ‘another group’. – EG: in 1981 NI’s first integrated school opened.
The Bible promotes universalism so is against prejudice.
What is racism
Racial prejudice means pre-judging or forming an opinion about a different race without any real
knowledge of them.
Steps to overcome racism
MLK worked for equality through non- violent protests. He gave many speeches protesting against injustice. Following these steps, Obama became the first black president of the US in 2008.
Changes in law from 1976-2010. The Equality Act 2010 ensures racial equality in education, housing, workplace, training, and services.
The 1976 Act led to the establishment of the Commission for Racial Equality, promoting equal opportunities.
Portrayal of racism in the media
In 2017 in the US, Dove released a brief ad showing a smiling black woman taking off her shirt to reveal a smiling white woman after using Dove body lotion – this ad sparked anger and outrage.
Videos and reports of black people in America who have been mistreated and even killed by the
police in the US, eg: George Floyd in 2020.
Real life example of racism
The KKK is an American white supremacist group who primarily target African Americans. They had assaulted and killed many.
Ethnic minorities have grown in NI in recent years. Incidents of racism have increased, with racially motivated crimes exceeding sectarian ones in 2017. People face verbal and physical intimidation and even violence because of their race.
What is religious discrimination?
Religious discrimination is the unfair treatment of people because they belong to a particular religion. It is the belief that a person is inferior because they have different religious beliefs or no religious beliefs at all.
Real life examples of discrimination
The Holocaust: Adolf Hitler tried to exterminate all Jewish people. Over 6 million Jews died.
Donald Trump took office in 2017 and immediately attempted to impose a ban on travellers
from 7 predominantly Muslim countries.
In NI, religious prejudice has always been an issue between Catholics and Protestants. This is
a type of sectarianism, when allegiance to a particular group causes prejudice against members of another group within the same faith. During the Troubles, over 3500 people were killed from both Catholic and Protestant communities.
Religious discrimination keeps people safe? Yes?
Discrimination can result in avoidance of certain groups, therefore there is less chance of conflict. During the Troubles, Catholics and Protestants had certain ‘territories’, eg: Falls and Shankill. This division kept people segregated so there would be less confrontation.
Travel bans and vetting of individuals would stop terrorists travelling from other countries.
Religious discrimination keeps people safe? No?
NO
Regardless of religion, people of different faith communities can still find common ground and build bridges – integrated education.
Different Christian churches work together in communities – ecumenism.
Religious discrimination has led to violence and death, eg: The Troubles – this is not keeping people safe.
Forces inequality as one group deems themselves to be superior – this can lead to conflict.
What is gender discrimination?
Gender discrimination means treating someone unfairly because of their sex (male or female). Often referred to as ‘sexism’ in the past, it generally affects women more than men.
Examples of traditional roles for women
Housekeeper, Secretary, Cook, Air Hostess, Raise children, nurse and nanny
Traditional examples of roles for men
Doctor
Judge
Principal Soldier
Tradesmen
Pilot
Gender discrimination in the church
In the Christian Church, men have traditionally been leaders.
In the RCC, women can become nuns, but only men can become priests.
Other Protestant denominations are open to women in leadership roles. The Presbyterian, Methodist and Church of Ireland all allow women to become ministers. Even within these denominations there is disagreement on women and leadership.
Gender discrimination in the media
On TV, women more frequently play the role of the housekeeper and men more frequently play the roles of professionals.
Women are often depicted as being heavily reliant on the male protagonist, always needing their assistance – damsel in distress.
In 2015 a report showed that only 19% of experts in news stories and only 37% of reporters were women.
Gender discrimination in the workplace
In the workforce, only 37% of managers, directors and senior officials are women.
There are more women in caring, leisure and other service occupations than men.
There is a lack of affordable quality childcare which makes it difficult for mothers to ‘go out’ to work.
In 1975 Sex Discrimination Act made it illegal to discriminate someone because of their gender in employment.
Gender discrimination in politics
In 2014, the Northern Ireland Assembly published a research paper tiled ‘Review of Gender Issues in Northern Ireland’ it showed that women are significantly underrepresented in elected office, on public bodies and across all major positions of
political, economic and judicial power.
Gender discrimination in sport
Coverage of women in sport is often dominated by references to appearance, age or family life. Whereas men are depicted as powerful,
independent, dominating, and valued as athletes.
Men’s sporting events are given more coverage than women’s – men’s sports are more of a focal point, even at grass roots level.
Gender discrimination and the law
The 1975 Sex Discrimination Act made it illegal to discriminate someone because of their gender in employment.
This includes recruitment (advertising), selection, promotion and training. The act applies to both men and women.
It is also against the law to discriminate against someone because they are married.
In other words, men and women have been given equal opportunities.
Women should have equal leadership roles in the Christian Church.’ Agree?
• ‘God created humanity in his own image, male and female he created them both.’ Genesis 1:27
• ‘There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ.’ Galatians 3:28
• Women played a key role in the early Church – evidence of female deacons and the resurrection news was first told to women.
• Many Protestant denominations are open to women in leadership roles e.g. Methodist and Presbyterian churches.
• Libby Lane was the first female Bishop in the Church of England in 2015.
• Women can reach the highest levels in secular society e.g. Queen, Prime Minister – so why not in religious circles?
• In the Genesis creation story Eve was made from Adam’s rib – his side. Note this wasn’t from his head (superior) or his foot (inferior). This highlights equality.
