Contemporary Issues in Christianity

• Prejudice


  To pre-judge. A negative attitude towards people based solely on a group they belong to. Based on an unfounded opinion
• Discrimination


  Prejudices are put into action.

  People are treated unfairly by others because of prejudices
• Stereotyping


  the assumption that a person shares the negative characteristics of a group to which it is assumed they belong
• Why are some people prejudiced

  Ignorance/fear

  Scapegoating

  Influences

  Media

  Experiences
• Racial prejudice


  When someone believes another race is inferior without any real knowledge of them, usually due to ignorance/fear
• Racial discrimination when people are mistreated because of their race/colour of their skin
• Religious prejudice 


  When someone believes someone else is inferior because of their religious beliefs or lack thereof
• Religious discrimination 


  The mistreating of people because of their religion eg the Holocaust- 6 million Jews died
• Gender discrimination 


  Treating someone unfairly because of their sex
• Sexism stems from woman’s traditional role as a homemaker / child rearer. Men’s role is to provide money for the family in masculine jobs eg construction , managment. Women’s role has changed , becoming focused on their careers
• The 1975 Sex Discrimination Act made it illegal to discriminate against people on the grounds of sex.
• Women are still underrepresented in positions of political, economic, social and judicial power

  There is still gender inequality in education , the world of work , religion and sport
• Women in church


  Men have traditionally been the leaders

  Only men can become priests

  Pope Francis changed ‘church law monday’ to formally allow for more roles for women and publicly advocated for more diversity Presbyterin’s church has been ordaining women into the ministry since 1973 , the methodist church since 1977 and the Church of Ireland has allowed women to become priests
• A disability 


  Any condition of the body or mind that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities and interact with the world around them
• There are approx 50 million disabled in Europe

  They’re not treated equally in terms of access to education, employment and adequate medical care

  The Equality Act 2010 made it unlawful to discriminate against anyone because of a mental or physical disability.
• Disability Discrimination Act 1995


  Brought in new rights in:

  Employment

  Transport

  Education

  Access to goods and services

  Employers with more than 20 staff had to treat everyone the same
• Prejudice and discrimination: Old testament

  Teaches that humankind was created in the image of God and that all humans share a spiritual likeness to God.

  ‘So God created human beings, making them to be like himself. He created them male and female.’ - Genesis 1:27
• Prejudice and discrimination: New testament


  Jesus based his teachings on love

  ”Love your neighbour as you love yourself.” - Matthew 22:39

  Jesus did not discriminate - He put prejudices aside to heal a Canaanite woman’s daughter

  ”you are all one in union with Christ Jesus”
• Church teaching on Race and religion

  Catholic: Condemns discrimination against all people

  Presbyterian: Become more socially inclusive

  Methodist: Deplore all forms of racism
• Church teaching on disability

  Catholic: Pope Francis said refusing the sacraments to people with mental illnesses or conditions is “discrimination”

  Presbyterian: “We can’t unwittingly assume that a disabled person is less sensitive than others” We should treat them the same
• Helping the needy: Old testament

  Stresses the importance of caring for those less fortunate than ourselves

  ”If you refuse to listen to the cry of the poor, your own cry for help will not be heard “ - Proverbs 21:13

  Spoke out against the social injustice cause by sin

  ”Instead, let justice flow like a stream and righteousness like a river that never goes dry” - Amos 5:24
• Helping the needy: New testament

  Jesus showed compassion and love for all

  He healed Simon’s mother-in-law on the Sabbath (against Jewish law)

  Jesus cared greatly for outcasts and sinners - Zacchaeus , healed lepers

  ”Love one another” - John 13:34-35

  ”Do for others what you want them to do for you” - Matthew 7:12

  Giving to the needy is important but should be for the right reasons
• Poverty means


  being poor
• Absolute poverty


  Severe deprivation of basic human needs including food , safe drinking water , sanitation facilities , health , shelter , education and information. Depends not only on income but access to services
• Relative poverty


  People lack the minimum amount of income needed in order to maintain the average standard of living in the society in which they live
• Causes and characteristics of Local and National poverty

  Low income

  High costs

  Debt

  Housing costs

  Homelessness

  Poor health and disability

  Family situation

  Lack of education
• The government 


  Has policies and agencies to help those in need eg minimum wage , income support , child benefit , housing benefit and tax credits
• The church

  A community of people which aims to spread the benefits of that community ‘outreach’ . Christians aim to form good relationships with the people they meet.

  Organise events and activities that benefit the wider community eg youth work , support groups and charity fundraising
• Storehouse


  A project that provides food parcels for struggling families across Belfast
• Nightlight

  an outreach project run by the Presbyterian Church in Belfast