Prejudice and Discrimination GCSE RE REVISION Prejudice and Discrimination

Prejudice = to pre-judge Discrimination = to put prejudice into action 8. Attitude of Churches today 7. Bible and Gender 1. Bible Teaching 2. Racism 6. Sexism 5. Actions of the Churches 3. Martin Luther King 4. Trevor Huddleston and Desmond Tutu

1. Bible Teaching The Golden Rule – do unto others as you would have them do to you. Everyone is created in the likeness of God. Good Samaritan: helping a neighbour, not judging. St Paul “In Christ there is no Greek or Jew…… Christ is in all.” Love your neighbour as you love yourself, pray for those who persecute you.

1b. Cont. St James: “Do not show favouritism etc.” From the O.T.: Do not take advantage of the hired man, do not deprive the stranger or fatherless of justice.

2. Development of Racism Western History has not always kept to the teaching of the Bible. The white man saw himself superior to others and this led to the slave trade and exploitation of many countries (particularly in Africa). In USA when slavery was abolished in the southern states racist attitudes continued. Black people made to live and work in poverty, lacking civil rights and proper education.

2b, cont. In S. Africa the apartheid (separateness) system was started in 1948 when the white (Boer) government forced strict rules on where black and “coloured” people could live and work. They had no civil rights and were subject to strict pass laws.

3. Martin Luther King Born in 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia where his father was a Baptist Minister. Brought up in segregated way of s. States. Became a Baptist minister in Montgomery, Alabama when Rosa Parks started her bus protest in 1955. Helped lead bus boycott that led to change in the law. Became leader of the Civil Rights Movement. Followed Christian ideas of non-violence. Led marches, sit-ins, demonstrations.

3b, cont. Very effective leader because of powerful speeches. Often imprisoned, home bombed, physically attacked. Gained a lot of support because of his non-violence, let others use violence against him and supporters. March of ¼ million in Washington in 63 led to change in law. 1964 won Nobel Peace Prize. 1968 assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.

4. Trevor Huddleston and Desmond Tutu TH an English bishop sent to work in S. Africa – horrified by apartheid. Used non-violent methods such as international boycott of SA produce in many countries, SAs not allowed in sport, other nations would not go for sport or music tec. DT inspired by TH. A black SA from a poor family who became a priest and later Archbishop of Johannesburg. Used his position in the church to continue what TH had started. Spoke publicly about evils of violence on both sides. Won Nobel Peace Prize in 1984.

5. Attitude of the Churches and Christians Churches are united now in putting Bible teaching into practice. Churches also looking at their own practices – are they racist? C of E has just appointed Dr John Sentamu as Archbishop of York. All Christians would: try to avoid making judgements, try to have equal opportunity policies in place, disapprove of racist jokes bring up children to share views on equality.

6. Sexism This had developed over centuries as roles of men and women were developed from very early events such as men being hunter gatherers and women looking after the children. By the 1800’s would could become servants or do poorly paid work brought about by the Industrial Revolution. During the 19th and 20th centuries women gained education and this led to the demand for the vote and equality in all walks of life. Even with laws of 1970’s this has not been totally achieved.

7. Bible and Gender The Bible gives 2 differing images of the role of women: Timothy and Paul write that women should not be heard in church, they must dress modestly and do good deeds. In the OT women were seen as possessions and could be divorced by their husbands. Jesus only chose men as his chief disciples/apostles. On the other hand on the OT women were brave, loyal and set good examples. In the NT many women followed Jesus and were more faithful; being at the cross, at the tomb and the first to see him when he rose from the dead

8. Christian Churches and Gender For nearly 2,000 years men have taken all priestly roles in the churches. For many there is the strong belief that a priest represents Jesus at the altar and that therefore his place cannot be taken by a woman. In some churches in the 20th cent. This was changed after much discussion, eg: Baptist and Methodist. In 1990’s C of E changed after much heartache. This led to some priests and people leaving the church and going over to the Roman Catholic Church which still does not have women priests. The RCs believe that women have a special and distinct role in the Church but it is not priestly.