questions and religious perspective

• List 3 reasons why it is necessary to have human rights

  So that people can enjoy freedom, justice and peace.So countries/governments can be held accountable.To give dignity to all.
• Why was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) created in 1948?


  It was created in response to the two world wars.
• Give 5 examples of rights contained in the UK Human Rights Act 1998.

  The right to lifeThe right to libertyThe right to privacyThe right to marriageThe right to family life
• The UDHR states that along with rights, we have the responsibility to respect the rights of others. List the responsibilities that accompany the following rights:- freedom of speech- freedom of religious expression


  Freedom of speech: Responsibility not to offend people and to listen to others, even if those views are different from your own.Freedom of religious expression: Responsibility to respect other people's religious customs and practices.
• List 5 Christian teachings on human rights

  1. Bible stresses God's desire for just society. Prophet Amos: 'Let justice roll on like a river'.2. 'Love your neighbour as yourself' and the Golden Rule require Christians to think about the needs and dignity of others.3. All humans are created Imago Dei so they are entitled to dignity.4. 'There is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female for you are all one in Christ Jesus' St Paul affirms the equality of all.5. Christians must act to protect human rights and dignity. In the NT James writes 'faith without deeds is useless'.
• List 5 Buddhist teachings on human rights

  1. The Eightfold path encourages good treatment of others: Right Speech, Right Action.2. All human beings have Buddha Nature - we're all fundamentally the same and equal.3. Metta and Karuna - everyone should be treated with loving kindness 'Always think compassion' Dalai Lama4. Law of karma discourages actions that will cause suffering.
• What is social justice?

  Bringing justice to society so that all within a society have the same opportunities ,and can take advantage of them; includes projects to improve the life situation of those at the poorest end of society, eg by educational support.
• Give 2 examples of how to bring about social justice in society.

  Businesses could:- pay their workers more- treat their workers better e.g. proper contracts that include sick pay and holiday pay, instead of 'zero hour' contracts.- pay more tax.Governments could:- pass laws to make businesses do these things.- increase pay for public-sector workers (e.g. nurses)- change the tax system so that wealth inequality is reduced.
• Give 3 examples of famous Christians who have campaigned for social justice

  William Wilberforce - campaigned to end slavery.Elizabeth Fry - Victorian campaigner for prison reform.Lord Shaftsbury - worked to improve factory conditions and educate poor children.
• Give five Christian teachings that support social justice

  1. 'Love your neighbour as yourself'. Jesus2. 'Clothe yourself in compassion'. St Paul3. 'There is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, we are all one in Christ Jesus'. St Paul.4. 'Let justice roll on like a river' Amos.5. Parable of Sheep and Goats - 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.
• Give five Buddhist teachings that support social justice

  1. Karuna and Metta2. Tanha - discourages greed. Greed is one of the 3 poisons.3. Eighfold Path: Right Speech - speaking out against social justiceRight Action - campaigning against social justice & acting to create social justice. Right Livelihood - ensuring your job doesn't contribute to social injustice.4. Middle Way, discourages excessive wealth.5. Engaged Buddhism (started by Thich Nhat Hanh) - where Buddhists should get involved in social issues.
• Give 3 quotes that show that Christians should believe in equality of all people

  - Imago Dei (Genesis)- 'There is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus'. St Paul.- Golden Rule: 'Do unto others as you would have them do to you' Jesus
• What evidence suggests Christian prejudice and discrimination against women?

  Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians do not allow women to be priests because:- God created Adam first and Eve to be his helper (Genesis 2). They have different roles.- Jesus was a man. The priest represents Jesus, so only a man can do it.- Jesus chose male disciples.- St Paul 'It is disgraceful for a woman to speak in church'. If they have questions they
• What evidence suggests Christianity is not prejudiced / discriminatory towards women?


  Other denominations (eg. Church of England) allow women to be priests because;- Men and women were created Imago Dei.- Even in the age he lived, Jesus treated women with great respect and welcomed them as his followers (eg. Martha and Mary)- Women were the first witnesses to the resurrected Christ.- Jesus became human, his maleness is irrelevant - any human priest can represent him.- Women had leadership roles in early church - St Paul told Christians in Rome to support Phoebe, a female deacon.
• List 3 reasons for women to be given equal status in Buddhism


  1. The Buddha taught that women are equally capable of achieving enlightenment.2. Women were able to become nuns in Buddha's lifetime e.g. Kisa Gotami3. In Zen Buddhism women can have positions of authority within the monastic sangha.
• List 3 Bible quotes that seem to condemn homosexuality

  1. Leviticus: 'Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman: it is detestable."2. God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorroah (apparently) because of their inhabitants' wickedness and homosexual activities.3. God created Adam and Eve as the model for human sexual relations and marriage.
• List 3 reasons for women not to be given equal status in Buddhism

  1. The Buddha's initial reluctance to allow women into the monastic sangha has led to some Buddhists believing that although they are equal, men and women have different roles.2. In Theravadan orders of South East Asia, women can only be novices, not nuns.3. in Theravada Buddhism, it was believed that only men could achieve enlightenment - so women had to pray to be reborn as a man.
• List 3 reasons why Christians should not condemn homosexuality


  1. God created everyone including homosexuals; Imago Dei.2. The most important teaching in Christianity is to love, sexuality doesn't matter. 'Love is patient, love is kind'. St Paul.3. Marriage is seen as the place of comfort and mutual support and the right place to express love between people, whether heterosexual or homosexual.
• Give three reasons why Christians might argue for freedom of religious belief


  1. God made all people free and equal - Imago Dei. We all have the right to choose what to believe.2. Jesus did not compel people to follow him. He allowed the Rich Man to walk away when he did not want to follow him.3. Pluralist Christians - all religions are valid ways to salvation. 'In my father's house there are many rooms'. Jesus.
• Give two reasons why Christians might argue against freedom of religious belief

  1. Exclusivist Christians - believing in Jesus is the only way to be saved and people should be converted to Christianity. "I am the way, the truth and the life; no reaches the Father except through me." Jesus.2. Christians might think the stakes are very high -if people get it wrong they will be in hell/separated from God for eternity.
• Give two reasons why Christians might argue for freedom of religious expression.

  1. Golden Rule - If you would like your freedom of religious expression respected, you should respect that of others.2. St Paul urged early Christians to be tolerant of different religious practices 'The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does., for God has accepted them.
• Give two reasons why Christians might argue against freedom of religious expression.

  1. Some restrictions may be needed to avoid hurt or offence. Only in this way is love shown to your neighbour e.g. Orangemen Parades in Northern Ireland (which offend Catholics and have lead to protests).2. St Paul - even though everything is permissible, this does not mean everything is beneficial. Christians should not insist on religious expression if it causes conflict: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone'.
• Give three reasons why Buddhists might argue for freedom of religious expression.

  1. Belief in equality of all (Buddha Nature) means that all have the right to practice their beliefs.2. The Dalai Lama: 'I always say that every person on this earth has the freedom to practise or not to practise religion'.3. Right Speech encourages the peaking of truth as someone perceives it.
• Give two reasons why Buddhists might argue against freedom of religious expression.

  1. Right Speech also means that there needs to be some restraint in how beliefs are expressed.2. One's own freedom of religious expression cannot cause harm to others or restrict their religious freedom - 1st Precept of Right Action.
• Give three Bible quotes that oppose racism

  1. We are all created Imago Dei.2. 'Love your neighbour as you love yourself.' Jesus3. 'There is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one Christ Jesus.' St Paul.
• Give 2 examples of Christian groups that have supported racism

  1. Ku Klux Klan2. South Africa's Dutch Reformed Church supported Apartheid.
• Give 2 famous Christians who have opposed racism

  1. Archbishop Desmond Tutu spoke out against Apartheid.2. Martin Luther King Jr. campaigned for racial equality in the USA.
• Give 2 examples of where positive discrimination could be seen as necessary

  1. South Africa where the injustice of Apartheid was so extreme.2. Texas University historic discrimination against black and Hispanic applicants needed to be rectified.
• Give 2 disadvantages of positive discrimination

  1. Trevor MacDonald argued it could undermine the achievements of minorities if people think they were given the job unfairly.2. It could create a slippery slope - when would it stop?
• Give a Bible quote in favour of positive discrimination

  'Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.' Isaiah
• Give 3 Buddhist teachings against racial discrimination

  1. The First Precept says that it is wrong to harm anyone2. Everyone has a Buddha Nature3. The Dalai Lama has said that the best way to live life is to ‘always think compassion’
• Give two Christian teachings that show that wealth is a gift/reward from God.


  1.Genesis: God has created everything and we are to care for it . Stewardship.2. Jesus: Parable of the talents
• What is a tithe?

  A Christian practice of giving 10% of your income to charity/the Church.
• Give four Christian teachings about the right attitude to wealth.

  1. St Paul: “For the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil”2. Jesus: It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.3. Jesus: “No one can serve two masters… you cannot serve both God and money”4. Christians should prioritise values over money and trust God will provide: 'Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be given to you as well
• Give three Christian teachings about the responsibility of wealth.

  1. Look after family: St Paul: “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”2. Pay taxes: Jesus: ‘render to Caesar that which is Caesar’s, and to God that which is God’s’3. Help the poor: Jesus told the Rich Man - “Sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” – Jesus
• Give a Bible quote to support the idea that wealth is a reward from God that a person can do whatever they want with.

  Proverbs: ‘the blessing of the Lord brings wealth’
• Give four Buddhist teachings on the right use of wealth.

  1. Middle Way between wealth and poverty is stressed: extremes of wealth should be avoided; wealth should be used to avoid extremes of poverty2. Generosity is one of the 6 Perfections3. Wealth can lead to craving (tanha)4. “Riches ruin the foolish… through craving for riches, the foolish one ruins himself.’ (Dhammapada)
• What are some of the main causes of poverty in LICs?

  1. Debt2. Natural disasters3. War4. Unfair trade
• What are some of the main causes of poverty in the UK?

  1. Unemployment / lack of opportunity

  2. Addiction

  3. Debt

  4. Rising cost of living
• In what ways can the poor try to help themselves out of poverty?

  1. Education

  2. Job seeking

  3. Political engagement