Community Cohesion

Keywords Equality = the state of everyone having equal rights regardless of gender/race/class Sexism = discriminating against people because of their gender (being male or female) Multi-ethnic society = many different races and cultures living together in one society Prejudice = believing some people are inferior or superior without even knowing them Discrimination = putting prejudice into practice and treating people less favourably because of their race/gender/colour/class Racism = the belief that some races are superior to others Racial harmony = different races/colours living together happily Multi-faith society = many different religions living together in one society Religious pluralism = accepting all religions as having an equal right to coexist Religious freedom = the right to practise your religion and change your religion

The growth of women’s rights in the UK Sexual discrimination against women has been normal throughout history. Because of their greater strength men have dominated society. The past 100 years have seen the following changes: The Suffragette Movement – around the turn of the 20th century they campaigned for women to be given the vote. 1918 – women over 31 given vote (80 years later than men!) 1928 – women over 21 given vote World Wars – women given opportunity to do responsible jobs 1950 – women encouraged to be housewives and have a family by the Government. 1960’s – the contraceptive pill allowed women to not get pregnant therefore they could have careers rather than families. 1970 – Equal Pay Act 1975 – Sex Discrimination Act made it illegal to discriminate against a person based on their gender or marital status. 1996 – Employment Rights Act stated it was illegal to sack someone from their job for being pregnant or taking maternity leave. Why did attitudes change? Women fought hard for these rights and the contraceptive pill provided them with more freedom. The changing nature of family life and increased cost of bringing up children have led to more women working.

Biblical Teachings on the Roles of Men and Women Supporting total equality between men and women Catholic View: women being equal but different e.g. men can only conduct a church service For men ruling over women “There is no Jew nor Greek, Slave nor free, Male nor female; for we are all one in Christ Lord”. Galatians 3:26-29 When Jesus resurrected, he first showed himself to woman not the male disciples. At the time of Jesus’ death, it was women who surrounded him. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 Clear evidence that women held high positions of authority in the early Christian church. Jesus treated women equally e.g. Mary and Mary Luke 10:38 - 42 God is portrayed as ‘he’ The bible tends to show favouritism to men God showed himself in the form of a man (Jesus) Jesus’ disciples were all men. Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the Church. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands. Ephesians 5:22-23 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 1 Timothy 2:11-13 That God gave his only begotten son to the World to preach the word, so women should not say mass. Mary was the person who bought Jesus into the World, and Jesus had a closer relationship with his mother than Joseph. Jesus treated women very well but he didn’t appoint one to be a disciple! Jesus appointed Peter to be the leader after his death not a women.

Women in Churches and the Ministry You need to know three different views Catholic Church Modern protestant Churches Other protestant Churches

Modern Protestant Church Protestant View Towards the Roles of Men and Women Most modern protestant churches e.g. the Church of England, follow liberal interpretations of the Bible stories. The agree that Jesus choose 12 male disciples but argue he had to as that was normal in society 2000 years ago. If Jesus was around today society has changed and he would pick a mixture of men and women. Protestant View Towards Women in the Ministry Most modern protestant churches e.g. the Church of England allow women to be in the ministry e.g. vicars. They believe Jesus treated men and women equally therefore women can be leaders in the church. “There is no Jew nor Greek, Slave nor free, Male nor female; for we are all one in Christ”. Galatians 3:26-29 In the Church of England women can not become bishops.

Other Protestant Churches e.g. Evangelical Other Protestant Churches View Towards the Roles of Men and Women Some protestants e.g. evangelical, orthodox, believe that the Bible is absolutely the word of God and should absolutely be followed. Women should attend church however they must remain silent and not lead. Women should run the family home and obey her husband who is the head of the family. God made man first then woman. Men and women have different roles laid out for them in the Bible Other Protestant Views Towards Women in the Ministry Women must remain silent in church and not lead. God made Adam first then Eve was made from Adam therefore men lead. Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the Church. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands. Ephesians 5:22-23 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 1 Timothy 2:11-13

Catholic Church Catholic Churches View Towards the Roles of Men and Women Catholics believe that men and women are equal but they have different roles in life. Men and women should have an equal role in the home. This is based upon the fact Jesus treated men and women equally. Catholic Views Towards Women in the Ministry Women can never be priests in the Catholic Church because Jesus only picked men to be his disciples. Jesus picked Peter to lead the church after his death. Pope John Paul II in 1995 stated “I declare that the Church has no authority whatever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgement is to be definitely held by all the Church’s faithful.” Women can not be priest but they can do roles that help their local church to run e.g. be in the choir, do a reading

Britain as a Multi-Ethnic Society Ethnicity 7.9% from a non-White ethnic group Britain is a multi-ethnic society, this is because there are people living here from different parts of the World, from different ethnic backgrounds. EVIDENCE OF IMMIGRATION INTO BRITAIN 54 BC – Italians / Romans arrived with Julius Caesar. Then Vikings from Scandinavia and the French from Normandy. People always came to Britain from other parts of the World Britain set up an overseas empire- and allowed anyone who lived in a British Colony, to come and live in Britain After WW2 many workers were brought to Britain to make up for the loss of men, they were allowed to then treat Britain as their home.

Multi-Ethnic Society Advantages Disadvantages Experiencing other cultures A more diverse lifestyle and opportunities Promotes unity and understanding between different races Prejudice is eliminated as you get to know other races, therefore stopping discrimination The UK has a wide variety of music, food and clothes from different cultures. Makes the world more peaceful as people form different races learn to live together. It is easier to ignore equality, and focus on your own needs People can find it difficult to accept someone different from themselves People who are racist (although wrong) may feel that their opinions are being taken away from them NIMBYISM (not in my back yard-ism). People do not want their local area to be changed by ‘outsiders’. Conflicts can lead to violence.

Prejudice, Racism & Discrimination Prejudice is believing some people are inferior or superior without even knowing them Example: believing all black people steal and take drugs. Racism is treating people as the inferior race, based on their race/colour Example: The Nazi party killed 6 million Jewish people as they did not agree with their race. Discrimination is putting prejudice into practice and treating people less favourably because of their race / gender / colour / class. Example: a female employee being paid less than a man doing the same job. 1976 Race Relations Act made it illegal to discriminate against people on grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin. made it illegal to stir up racial hatred

Christian Teachings that promote Racial Harmony “God does not show favouritism, But accepts men from every nation” Acts 10: 34-35 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another- just as I have loved you; you should also love one another” John 13: 34 “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” Matthew 22: 39 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, Slave nor free, Male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” Galatians 3: 28 Parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus told someone that to get into heaven they had to love God with all your heart and love your neighbour as you love yourself. The man wanted to know who his neighbour was. Jesus told a story in reply. A man was travelling when he was robbed. A priest and a Levite (religious leader) passed by and didn’t help the injured man. A Samaritan walked by (he was an enemy of the injured man) and stopped. Looked after the injured man and took him to an inn. Jesus wanted the man to learn that everyone, even his enemies, were his neighbour. Luke 10: 25 - 37 So God created human beings, making them to be like himself. Genesis 1:27

The contribution of a modern person to combat racism: Martin Luther King Began his work in the early 1960s. At this time black people in America were not allowed the vote, not allowed to go to the same places as white people and earned half the amount of money most white people did. He was a black Baptist minister He believed that what the black people were suffering was wrong He was a pacifist He used non-violent resistance to enforce the civil rights movement He was the youngest ever person to win the Nobel peace prize He used the Bible to show equality He had a dream of racial harmony In 1965 the law was changed and black and white people were equal in the eyes of the law. He was assassinated in 1968, the person charged for this was James Earl Ray, Kings son tried to get Ray out of prison because he truly believed he didn’t do it. Why did he do it? King was sure God was on the side of the poor and the oppressed. He drew inspiration from the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt with God’s help.

Do not get this confused with a multi-ethnic society. Multi-Faith Society Do not get this confused with a multi-ethnic society. Multi-faith society is a society where people with different religious beliefs live, there are people with different faiths EXAMPLE Sikhs, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians live together in the UK Data from 2001 Census Chrsitian = 71.6% Buddhist = 0.3% Hindu = 1.0% Jewish = 0.5% Muslim = 2.7% Sikh = 0.6% Other religion = 0.3% Atheist = 15.5%

Living in a Multi-Faith Society Advantages Disadvantages Seeing faith through another persons eyes It could lead you to understand more about your own faith through experiencing another persons faith You can say you have considered more than one religious belief- reinforcing faith in your own religion You can share your religion with other people, possibly even resulting in a conversion experience Society allows religious freedom A country that has people of different faith in it is often more tolerant. Religious festivals are celebrations that can unite communities no matter if people believe in them or not. It widen’s your knowledge of the world. It is easier to ignore other religions and only believe that yours is correct It is easier for the government to lead a society who all follow one faith as oppose to constant debating Religious disagreements may lead to conflict / violence Having to accept that other people have different beliefs to you

Christian Attitudes to other religions There are 3 different attitudes Christians have towards people of other religions. You need to know all 3 and the reasons why they have these beliefs. Inclusivism All religions help people reach God however only Christianity has the complete answer. Other faiths should be respected but they should have the right path explained to them. View held by most Roman Catholics. Reasons for this view: Jesus taught that people should believe in him to get to heaven Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me.” John 14:6

Christian Attitudes to other religions 2. Exclusivism Those who do not believe in Christianity will be excluded from heaven. Other religions are wrong It would be good and kind to try to convert someone of a different faith to Christianity Reasons for this view: Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me.” John 14:6 Jesus said, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go then to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them….teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:18-20

Christian Attitudes to other religions 3. Pluralism Some Christians believe that all religions will lead to God. No religions are superior and none is wrong. These Christians do not think you should try to convert others to Christianity. All religions lead to God. Reasons for this view: Jesus never tried to convert the Jewish people he met to his new version of Judaism / Christianity. Jesus said, “There are many rooms in my Father’s house, and I am going to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2 This is interpreted to mean that there are places for people from all religions with God.