Issues of Human rights

Question 1

Human rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights fall into two groups, what are they?

Answer 1

1. Rights which preserve the dignity of humans
2. Rights which prevent the corruption of governments

Question 2

Give examples of Human Rights

Answer 2

1. Right to an education
2. Right to marriage
3. Right to basic needs e.g shelter, food
4. Right to life
5. Right to a fair trial
6. Right to be free from torture

Question 3

Give 3 reasons why Christians would teach the dignity of human life

Answer 3

1. God created all humans in “his image”. So all humans are special as a creation of God and deserve to be treated with dignity
2. Jesus taught that humans will be judged on how well they have preserved the dignity of other humans. Parable of sheep and goats “I was thirsty and you gave me water”
3. 10 Commandments show that God wants humans to be treated with dignity. Given to Moses direct from God on tablets of stone - You shall not kill, steal or commit adultery. All humans should have the right to life, their possessions and marital partner

Question 4

Give 3 Christian practices which promote human rights including equality: Agape in action

Answer 4

1. work of charities abroad like Tearfund and Christian Aid
2. work of charities within Britain e.g Salvation Army
3. giving to charity
4. Individuals - MLK and Oscar Romero to fight for equality and social justice

Question 5

Give 3 Buddhist practices which promote human rights including equality

Answer 5

1. Work of Buddhist Charities abroad e.g Karuna Trust in India which helps the poor with education
2. Thich Quang Duc - monk burned himself in protest against injustices in South Vietnam
3. Many Buddhists support Fair Trade

Question 6

Give 3 reasons why Christians would support agape in action and promotion of human rights

Answer 6

1. Jesus said “No greater love has man than when he lays down his life for another”
2. Bible - “Speak up for those who have no voice”
3. Amos “Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never ending stream”

Question 7

Give 3 reasons why Buddhists would teach the dignity of human life

Answer 7

1. Mahayana Buddhists believe all humans have Buddha nature and can achieve enlightenment
2. Because of dharma - 8FP 5 Precepts motivated by metta
3. Pratitya - everything is interconnected. Humans must set up conditions to end suffering and they can do this by treating people with dignity through skilful acts. If they don’t then all conditioned things will suffer

Question 8

Give 3 reasons why Buddhists would support practices which promote human rights

Answer 8

1. they are skilful acts because they are driven by metta and karuna
2. The Buddha taught the middle path. When human rights are taken away, this is not a middle path e.g no shelter, no food and without the middle path, people cannot achieve enlightenment
3. “I teach suffering and the end of suffering”, practices which promote human rights are trying to end the suffering of others

Question 9

Give on example of conflict between personal conviction and the laws of a country.

Answer 9

Martin Luther King

Question 10

Give 3 ways in which Martin Luther King fought the laws of the country

Answer 10

1. leading bus and café boycotts where black and white people were separated
2. boycotting buying goods from known racist businesses
3. marches e.g on Washington
4. speeches e.g “I have a dream”

Question 11

Give 3 reasons why Martin Luther King fought the laws of the country

Answer 11

1. Following the example of Jesus - Jesus was willing to sacrifice his life for the sins of mankind. MLK was willing to sacrifice his life to fighting against injustice
2. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
3. Jesus spoke out when he saw injustice e.g called the Pharisees “Snakes, a brood of Vipers”. Christians must speak out when they see injustices

Question 12

What was Ambedkar’s personal conviction?

Answer 12

To end the cast system which was allowed by law in India

Question 13

What are 3 ways Ambedkar fought the laws?

Answer 13

1. burnt the Hindu scriptures publicly
2. lead marches to public water fountain
3. wrote monthly articles that condemned caste system - Mooknayak

Question 14

Why did Ambedkar fight against the caste system?

Answer 14

1. Metta and Karuna for all people - lower castes should be shown M and K
2. 1st precept - cast discriminates against untouchables
3. Right action - protesting to stop dukkha, right speech articles and condemning the caste system

Question 15

What is one example of conflict over censorship?

Answer 15

1. Charlie Hebdo magazine who published cartoons ridiculing religion. This led to the the murder of its publishers by IS

Question 16

Give one example of conflict over freedom of religious expression

Answer 16

Nadia Eweida, British Airways hostess who wanted to wear her crucifix on the outside of her uniform. BA wanted her to wear it inside her uniform

Question 17

Give one example of religious extremism

Answer 17

1. Robert Dear shot dead 3 people and injured 9 at an abortion clinic
2. Westboro Baptist Church - God hates all people “God hates American soldiers”

Question 18

Give 3 relevant Christian teachings to do with censorship, freedom of religious expression and extremism

Answer 18

1. Jesus said “Go preach the gospel to all creation”
2. Jesus spoke out when thought something was wrong e.g Called the Pharisees snakes, deliberately broke the Jewish law by healing on the Sabbath
3. Jesus said “no one can get to the father, except through me”

Question 19

Give 3 relevant Buddhist teachings to do with censorship, freedom of religious expression and extremism

Answer 19

1. Right speech on the 8FP and 4th Precept
2. Extremism breaks the first precept
3. if religious expression and censorship is harmful, it should be stopped as the acts are being driven by 3 poisons

Question 20

Give 3 examples of discrimination including one of racial discrimination

Answer 20

1. Discriminating against the homeless e.g violence towards them
2. Stephen Lawrence and Anthony Walker murders- racist
3. Nadia Eweida - not being able to wear her crucifix outside her BA uniform - religious discrimination

Question 21

Give one reason why Christians would disagree with discrimination in general

Answer 21

“All humans are created in the image of God. Genesis. So all are valuable.”

Question 22

Give 3 reasons why Christians would disagree with racial prejudice and discrimination

Answer 22

1. There is neither Jew nor gentile, male nor female…for we are all one in faith in Jesus. St Paul - only faith matters
2. People should be judged by what they do, not their race. This was the message of the Parable of the good Samaritan
3. People healed a Roman Centurian’s servant and allowed a black African to carry his cross. His example showed that race should not matter

Question 23

State two teachings of Martin Luther King on equality

Answer 23

1. We either learn to live together or “perish like fools”
2. If a law is unjust and promotes inequality, you should follow your conscience and break it as Jesus did healing on the Sabbath

Question 24

Give 3 reasons why Buddhists would disagree with discrimination and racial discrimination

Answer 24

1. Discrimination is based on prejudice which comes from ignorance - one of the 3 poisons so is wrong
2. All people are capable of enlightenment regardless of race, wealth, gender etc
3. Racist speech or any speech which discriminates is false speech and so breaks the fourth precept to be honest in your speech

Question 25

State 4 causes of world poverty

Answer 25

1. War 2. Natural disasters 3. Corrupt governments 4. Lack of education

Question 26

Give 3 Christian teachings on the acquisition and use of Wealth

Answer 26

1. Jesus "Go and sell all that you have and give it to the poor" 2. Parable of the Sheep and Goats shows that wealth should be used to help those in need "I was thirsty and you gave me water" 3. "Love of money is the root of all evil" - in the Bible

Question 27

Give 4 features of the work of Tear Fund and next to each, write a Christian teaching which supports it

Answer 27

1. Emergency Aid e.g in Syria - giving out blankets and food - parable of the sheep and the goats 2. Long term Aid - building bridges across marshy land over seas - Parable of the Talents which shows that Christians should use their talents wisely 3. Speaking out against corrupt governments and raising awareness of social injustice "speak up for those who have no voice" 4. Encouragement of fundraising - Go sell all you have and give it to the poor

Question 28

Why do religious believers disagree with extremism?

Answer 28

It damages interfaith relationships. Extremism leads to violence Extremism shows an extreme view of the religion which a majority of the faith followers do not share. It goes against religious teachings from sources of authority e.g. "love one another as I have loved you" Jesus, "Show loving kindness to all living beings" (first precept)