1. Christians and Human Rights
c/w
Date: Wednesday, 19 September 2018
Christians and Human Rights
L.O. To understand how Human Rights are protected and why Human Rights are important to Christians
“First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out – because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the communists and I did not speak out – because I was not a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out – because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak out for me.” Martin Niermoller ( )

2. Discuss why you think human rights are important
Human Rights: The rights and freedoms to which everyone is entitled
Put a star next to the three human rights that you think are the most important.
Discuss why you think human rights are important

3. 7) Prohibition of slavery and forced labour 12) Right to a fair trial
1) Right to Life
7) Prohibition of slavery and forced labour
12) Right to a fair trial
2) Prohibition of Torture
8) Right to liberty and security
13) No punishment without law.
3) Right to marry
9) Freedom of expression
14) Right to respect for private and family life
4) Prohibition of Discrimination
10) Freedom of Assembly and association
15) Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
5) Protection of property
11) Right to Education
16) Right to free Elections
6) Abolition of the death penalty
Print

6. In 1945, after the horrors of World War II, an international organization was established, the United Nations. It was dedicated to maintaining peace and security and to solving humanitarian problems.
So in 1948, they developed a code of conduct for the protection of basic human rights to be used across the world. This was called the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
It is not legally binding, but its content has been incorporated into the laws of many countries and it has become a standard measure of human rights across the world.

7. Human Rights (UK)
In 1998 the UK passed the Human Rights Act. This act safeguards our rights here in the UK. And we can all be clearer about the basic values and standards we share.
There are sixteen basic rights in the Human Rights Act, all taken from the European Convention on Human Rights. They don’t only affect matters of life and death like freedom from torture and killing; they also affect your rights in everyday life: what you can say and do, your beliefs, your right to a fair trial and many other similar basic entitlements.

8. Think/Pair/Share – What human rights abuses are still happening in the world?

9. You should be able to explain what the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is and give examples of how these rights are denied

10. children: forced into being soldiers
You should be able to explain what the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is and give examples of how these rights are denied

11. In Iran women are punished severely
and even stoned to death for 'crimes'
such as adultery or dressing indecently
You should be able to explain what the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is and give examples of how these rights are denied

12. Men who are found guilty of homosexuality can also
face the death sentence
You should be able to explain what the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is and give examples of how these rights are denied

13. In many parts of the world people do not have suitable housing
You should be able to explain what the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is and give examples of how these rights are denied

14. Can you spot the human rights Clue: Who is missing? Why?
issue in this photo?
Clue: Who is missing? Why?

15. What is happening in this video?

16. “Everyone should be entitled to Human Rights”

17. “Everyone should be entitled to Human Rights” Do you agree?
Pass the question…
“Everyone should be entitled to Human Rights” Do you agree?
I agree/disagree because (point)
Person 2 develops (example/quote)
Person 3 gives new point (I also agree/disagree because)
Person 4 develops (example/quote)

18. Why are human rights important to a Christian?
Think/Pair/Share

19. Key Teaching
Why this shows Human Rights are important to Christians
The
Decalogue
Parable of the Good Samaritan
“Made in the Image of God” (Genesis)
Parable of the Sheep & Goats
The Golden Rule

20. What else could we include?
Think/Pair/Share

21. d) Exam question
‘This is not a religious country, so Christian values should not be imposed on people.’
You should refer to Christian teachings in your answer.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3 marks)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3 marks)

22. Pass the question…
‘This is not a religious country, so Christian values should not be imposed on people.’
I agree/disagree because (PEEL)
Person 3: Someone may disagree with me because (PEEL)
Person 2: Another reason/a Christian would agree because (PEEL)
Person 4: Another reason/ a Christian would disagree because (PEEL)

23. Peer/self check (ii) Why some people may disagree with their opinion
Own opinion
1 mark for
• a brief reason
2 marks for
• a developed reason
• or two brief reasons
3 marks for
• three brief reasons
• or two developed reasons
• or a fully developed reason
• or one developed reason and one brief reason
Candidates who do not refer to at least one religion in either (i) or (ii)
cannot go beyond 3 marks for the whole of (d).

24. Why do some human rights cause problems for Christians?
Some Christians do not agree with a civil partnership between a homosexual couple or with the adoption of children by gay couples.
Eg. The Catholic adoption agency was ruled as illegal – denying gay couples the human right to raise a family. They did, however, overturn this
ruling in court.
NB. Gay couples still have the
right to raise children
with other agencies.
(March 2010)

25. Some Christians are against inter-faith marriage
Some Christians are against inter-faith marriage. A Church may refuse to marry the couple in Church unless they are both Christian.

26. A Catholic woman might want to become a priest and use human rights laws against the Church.

27. Example Questions
a) What are human rights? (2) b) Do you think human rights need more protection in the UK? Give 2 reasons for your view. (4) c) Explain why human rights laws are important for Christians. (8) d) “If Christians believed in human rights, they would let women be priests”. Do you agree? (3) Give reasons why people would disagree with you. (3)

28. Just a minute
Why are human rights important to Christians? You have to aim to speak on this topic for a minute without hesitation or repeating any words expect for Christians and human rights!