Social Justice

• Christian attitudes to Justice, Equality and Human dignity:

  • Human beings were all created by God and are therefore equal in the eyes of God- "God created man in his own image"
  • Jesus taught and associated with the social outcasts e.g leapers, women, prostitutes, Samaritans etc He set an example of treating all people with dignity. - "Love one another. As I have loved you"
  • When one of Oscar Romero's close friends was murdered, he knew that he had to speak out about the injustice in the community- "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed."
• Christian Attitudes to Justice, Equality and Human dignity:

  • Jesus encouraged others to treat everyone with respect through parables like the Good Samaritan
  • Jesus taught "Love thy neighbour" 'neighbour' does not just mean the person next to you but even includes your enemy. Jesus is the ultimate role model for Christians
  • The 'Golden Rule' of most religions, including Christianity seems to be focused on caring for others.
• Christian beliefs:

  • Christians believe they will be judged on their behaviour. If they have not treated people with dignity then they will have to answer to God
  • By helping others, they are showing respect to God
  • Christians see it as their duty to care for everyone. Christians have stewardship over the earth as seen in Genesis-"cultivate and take care of it" therefore, we have an obligation to care for everything and everyone on the planet.
• Jewish attitudes to Justice, Equality and Human dignity:

  • All humans beings are created "in the image of God" therefore, we are of great value.
  • The Jewish greeting Shalom means 'peace' but specifically an 'overall peace' or well-being. To achieve this kind of peace, Jews believe people need to lose their prejudice and accept and respect their differences.
• Jewish beliefs:

  • Reform + Liberal Jews views women as equal to men in religious life in every way. For example, women can become rabbis and they can form the minyan. However, in Orthodox Judaism, only men can be rabbis and can form the minyan
  • For Orthodox Jews, women are seen as equal in value but as having a different role to fulfill. A woman has the role of the home-maker and has a key role in the religious education and upbringing of her children.
• Jewish beliefs:

  • A strong emphasis is placed on the home. Women take a leading role in worship in the home, including at the weekly Shabbat celebration on a Friday evening.
• • Malala Yousafzai is a good example social justice as she spoke up about the importance of education for girls and demanded change - "Give justice to the weak"
  • Martin Luther King is a good example of social justice as he spoke up about racism and his dream to live in a world with racial equality. - "You are the light of the world... let your light shine before others"