The document discusses Christian beliefs around attitudes towards other religions and equality. It notes that Christians may have different views, from believing there is only one route to God through Jesus, to believing that other faiths worship the same God. While people are different, Christianity teaches that all are equal in God's eyes. The document explores how Christian teachings have been both for and against discrimination and promoting equality, depending on interpretation.

2. (b) Explain how Christian beliefs might affect someone’s attitude towards people of other religions. (7 marks) (c) ‘People are not the same; there is no point in trying to make everyone equal.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. (5 marks)

5. Prejudice is the act of prejudging someone or something, and usually means the feelings or opinions of intolerance and dislike which people have for others, based on little or no actual knowledge. Discrimination is when people are treated badly by others because of prejudice.

6. Christian attitudes towards prejudice People sometimes say that discrimination = prejudice + power Prejudice can be about many different things: religion, race, colour, sex, sexuality, language, disability, age etc. All prejudice and discrimination goes against the first two Articles of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights:

7. 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.

8. Christianity teaches that everyone is equal in the eyes of God and so it would be wrong to make anyone feel inferior or suffer because of any difference between them: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. Matthew 22:39

9. Jesus based his teachings about other people on love: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. John 13:34

10. There are also two important teachings in the writings of Paul about this: From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. Acts 17:26

11. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

12. However, there have been cases where Christians do appear to be guilty of prejudice and discrimination: For many years in South Africa the Dutch Reformed Church supported apartheid , the system which meant that black people were separated from white people and treated as inferior. When Europeans were colonising other countries around the world they often killed the native people there and treated them as slaves.

13. Desmond Tutu and Trevor Huddleston campaigned to give equal rights to all people in South Africa. They did this because of their beliefs as Christians.

14. Many people also think that the Christian Church is sexist and does not treat men and women equally. Paul said that: 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. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35

15. Now I want you to realise that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonours his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head-it is just as though her head were shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head. A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 1 Corinthians 11:3-7 . He sees the roles of men and women as very different.

17. It is only recently that some churches have allowed women to become ministers or priests (including the Church of England in 1994) but others, such as the Roman Catholic Church , will still not allow this.

18. (b) Explain how Christian beliefs might affect someone’s attitude towards people of other religions. (7 marks) Not all Christians think the same thing. Some Christians, there is more than one route up a mountain. Love your neighbour. There is only one way to God that is through Jesus. Evangelicals say other religions will go to Hell. Missionaries Mother Teresa. Jews and Muslims have one God the same as Christians. Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists are very different.

19. (b) Explain how Christian beliefs might affect someone’s attitude towards people of other religions. (7 marks) Not all Christians think the same thing. Some Christians, there is more than one route up a mountain. Love your neighbour. There is only one way to God that is through Jesus. Evangelicals. They will go to Hell so…. Missionaries Mother Teresa. Jews and Muslims have one God the same as Christians. Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists are very different.

20. ‘ People are not the same; there is no point in trying to make everyone equal.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. (5 marks)

21. ‘ People are not the same; there is no point in trying to make everyone equal.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. (5 marks) Yes I agree People are not the same some are more intelligent than others, men and women’s brains work differently so to treat them the same would be wrong. Other people might say that we all have the same rights because we all have the ability to make choices and were all made by God. Christians would say that although men and women have different roles they are ‘all equal in Christ Jesus.’ Some Christians might say that it is a loving thing to do to treat everyone equally

22. ‘ People are not the same; there is no point in trying to make everyone equal.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. (5 marks) No, I disagree Just because they are not the same it doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t expect the same rights, otherwise there may be all kinds of abuse and suffering because of race, sex etc. Other people might argue that we need to take account of the differences between men and women, and give them different jobs based on there nature. Christian beliefs would vary depending on their view of the bible. Some would say that the man is the head of the family others would argue that times have changed and that we should treat everyone the same.