Christianity

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Christianity

• Justice and Equality

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Contents

• Prejudice and Discrimination
• Racism
• Religious Prejudice
• Role of Women
• Wealth and Poverty

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Prejudice and Discrimination

• Prejudice means to form an opinion of someone
  before meeting them based on something you know
  about them (e.g. they are from a particular
  country)
• Discrimination is acting on your prejudice
  putting those opinions into practice.
• Christian denominations are universally against
  prejudice and discrimination.
• They believe in justice fair treatment for
  everyone.

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Prejudice and Discrimination

• Christians believe that all people are created in
  the image of God (Genesis 126-27)
• there is no difference between Jews and
  Gentiles, between slaves and free men, between
  men and women you are all one in union with
  Christ Jesus. (Galatians 328)
• James 21-9 do not treat people according to
  their outward appearances.
• Christians try to follow the example of Jesus in
  caring for all people. They might remember the
  parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 where
  the Samaritan took care of the injured man even
  though they were meant to be enemies.

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Racism

• Prejudice because of race is illegal in the UK.
• It usually is based on the colour of a persons
  skin but not always.
• The Church of England says that governments
  should make laws that protect the rights of those
  from other races.

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Religious Prejudice

• Religious prejudice often comes from the fact
  that people of different religions do not
  understand each other.
• However there is also the problem that usually
  people of one religion think they have the
  truth where people of other religion also think
  this.
• The Good Samaritan teaches us that we must care
  for everyone whoever they are there were
  religious differences between the Samaritans and
  the Jews.

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Role of Women

• Men dominated society in Jesus time although
  they respected women highly the womans role in
  the family was immensely respected.
• Some Christians believe that this approach should
  still be maintained others believe that this is
  too old-fashioned for today.
• there is no difference between Jews and
  Gentiles, between slaves and free men, between
  men and women you are all one in union with
  Christ Jesus. (Galatians 328)
• Many Christians believe that men and women have
  different skills and roles, but are of equal
  value.

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Role of Women

• There is some debate about whether or not women
  should be allowed a significant role in church.
• 1 Corinthians 1434 The women should keep
  quiet in the meetings. They are not allowed to
  speak they are not to be in charge.

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Role of Women

• For women priests
• As long as a person can lead a church it doesnt
  matter what gender they are.
• Jesus world was very different to our own.
• Women are actually better than men at some
  aspects of the job e.g. empathy.

• Against women priests
• Jesus chose men, not women to carry on the faith
  as apostles.
• When a priest is at the altar he is representing
  Jesus, a man.

If you believe the priests job is to lead
worship, women can become priests if you believe
it is to represent Christ, then it is harder to
argue for women priests.
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Wealth and Poverty

• 20 of the worlds population use 86 of the
  worlds resources.
• Christians believe that this is not fair and
  work to bring justice to the world.
• They might support the work of a Christian
  Organisation that fights poverty such as
  Christian Aid.
• They might campaign in a non-violent way or write
  to their MPs to ask for policies to change.
• They would pray about the issue.
• Christians are not against well-paid jobs as long
  as the money is earned fairly and honestly and
  as long as the person is prepared to use the
  money for the good of others.

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Wealth and Poverty

• The parable of the Sheep and the Goats in Matthew
  25 teaches us that we need to care for those in
  need as if they were Jesus. If we dont we might
  go to hell.
• The parable of the Rich man and Lazarus in Luke
  16 warns the rich that if they treat the poor
  badly then they will go to hell. It offers hope
  to the poor that they can go to heaven.
• The parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12 tells us
  to make sure we pile up our riches in heaven, not
  on earth that we should not be concerned by
  material things.
• The Good Samaritan tells us to love our neighbour
  whoever they are. True love puts everyone
  first.

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Summary

• Christians oppose any form of prejudice or
  discrimination. We are all made in Gods image
  and so need to show each other the respect we
  deserve.
• There are valid arguments both for and against
  women priests, but they depend on your view of
  what a priest is.
• Christians think that poverty is unacceptable and
  that those who can should use their money to
  bring justice to those who need it.