Equality and freedom of religion

• Christians believe humans are equal because


  • All humans were made in God's image
  • God loves everyone equally
  • The Parable of the Good Samaritan teaches Christians to care for everyone equally
  • Jesus treated everyone the same - even people who at the time were treated as outcasts, such as the poor, lepers, Gentiles and criminals
• Freedom of religious belief


  • Most Christians support religious freedom
  • Jesus taught, 'treat others as you would want to be treated'
• Some Christians are afraid that new laws and attitudes, including acceptance of religious freedom


  Threaten Christianity
• Some Christians believe their religion is the true faith, so are less accepting of others
• Freedom of religious expression


  • Most Christians believe people should be able to express their religion freely - including religious clothing, food and prayer
  • Most Christians recognise that the ability of religious believers to express their faith does not affect the rights of others
• Christians not allowed to express their religion freely


  • Nadia Eweida was sent home for wearing her crucifix when she worked for an airline
  • Nurse Sarah Kuteh was sacked in 2016 after discussing Christianity with patients and offering to pray with them
• Human rights

  Human rights are basic rights and freedoms to which everyone is entitled.

  Most Christians believe:

  • Bible teachings support human rights

  • all humans are God's creation and so are sacred

  • God loves everyone equally, so all people should be treated equally.

  This inspires Christians to work for a fair world
• Equality


  Islam teaches that Allah created all people equally, although not the same. This suggests differences between people are not important.
• Muslims


  • All part of the ummah, so are united regardless of colour and nationality
• Practices in Islam showing equality


  • Completion of Hajj
  • Praying at the same time every day
  • All wearing white garments
• Muhammad: 'Muhammad's final sermon before his death spoke of equality and tolerance'
• Religious freedom


  A fundamental human right that creates the conditions for peace, and peace is an important idea within Islam
• Community


  Important in Islam - ummah
• Freedom of religion and belief

  • Some believe that Islam is the only true faith and the only religion exclusively correct.

  Some believe they have a mission to lead non-Muslims to Allah.

  Some hold that Islam has the whole truth but other religions have parts of the truth.

  Some accept that all righteous people will be favoured by Allah and, therefore, it does not matter which religion a person belongs to.
• Freedom of religious expression


  The ability to freely express one's faith
• Many Muslims believe people should be able to express their faith freely
• At times Muslims have been unable to express their faith freely
• Restrictions on religious expression


  • In France and Austria, the wearing of any sort of face veil has been banned
  • Some school uniform policies do not allow traditional forms of Islamic dress
• Some minority Muslim groups hold extreme views and persecute and kill other Muslims because they are seem to be the 'wrong type'
• Muslim views on human rights

  May conflict with teachings (e.g. marriage)
• Islam teaches that all humans were created equal by Allah, and Muhammad tried to demonstrate the fair treatment of all people
• The Qur'an has teachings that support human rights
• Muslims may find there is conflict between a human right and a law within Islam
• They may also see a conflict between a human right and a law of the country they live in
• Countries may have laws that result in inequality