GCSE RE REVISION
Prejudice and Discrimination
Prejudice = to pre-judge
Discrimination = to put prejudice into
action
8. Attitude of
Churches today
7. Bible and 1. Bible Teaching
Gender
6. Sexism 2. Racism
5. Actions of 3. Martin Luther
the King
Churches 4. Trevor Huddleston and
Desmond Tutu
1. Bible Teaching
The Golden Rule – do unto others as you would
have them do to you.
Everyone is created in the likeness of God.
Good Samaritan: helping a neighbour, not
judging.
St Paul “In Christ there is no Greek or Jew……
Christ is in all.”
Love your neighbour as you love yourself, pray
for those who persecute you.
1b. Cont.
St James: “Do not show favouritism etc.”
From the O.T.: Do not take advantage of
the hired man, do not deprive the
stranger or fatherless of justice.
2. Development of Racism
Western History has not always kept to the
teaching of the Bible.
The white man saw himself superior to others
and this led to the slave trade and exploitation
of many countries (particularly in Africa).
In USA when slavery was abolished in the
southern states racist attitudes continued.
Black people made to live and work in poverty,
lacking civil rights and proper education.
2b, cont.
In S. Africa the apartheid
(separateness) system was started in
1948 when the white (Boer) government
forced strict rules on where black and
“coloured” people could live and work.
They had no civil rights and were subject
to strict pass laws.
3. Martin Luther King
Born in 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia where his
father was a Baptist Minister.
Brought up in segregated way of s. States.
Became a Baptist minister in Montgomery,
Alabama when Rosa Parks started her bus
protest in 1955.
Helped lead bus boycott that led to change in
the law.
Became leader of the Civil Rights Movement.
Followed Christian ideas of non-violence.
Led marches, sit-ins, demonstrations.
3b, cont.
Very effective leader because of powerful
speeches.
Often imprisoned, home bombed, physically
attacked.
Gained a lot of support because of his non-
violence, let others use violence against him
and supporters.
March of ¼ million in Washington in 63 led to
change in law.
1964 won Nobel Peace Prize.
1968 assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.
4. Trevor Huddleston and Desmond
Tutu
TH an English bishop sent to work in S. Africa – horrified
by apartheid.
Used non-violent methods such as international boycott of
SA produce in many countries, SAs not allowed in sport,
other nations would not go for sport or music tec.
DT inspired by TH. A black SA from a poor family who
became a priest and later Archbishop of Johannesburg.
Used his position in the church to continue what TH had
started.
Spoke publicly about evils of violence on both sides.
Won Nobel Peace Prize in 1984.
5. Attitude of the Churches and
Christians
Churches are united now in putting Bible
teaching into practice.
Churches also looking at their own practices –
are they racist? C of E has just appointed Dr
John Sentamu as Archbishop of York.
All Christians would:
try to avoid making judgements,
try to have equal opportunity policies in place,
disapprove of racist jokes
bring up children to share views on equality.
6. Sexism
This had developed over centuries as roles of
men and women were developed from very early
events such as men being hunter gatherers and
women looking after the children.
By the 1800’s would could become servants or
do poorly paid work brought about by the
Industrial Revolution.
During the 19th and 20th centuries women
gained education and this led to the demand
for the vote and equality in all walks of life.
Even with laws of 1970’s this has not been
totally achieved.
7. Bible and Gender
The Bible gives 2 differing images of the role of women:
Timothy and Paul write that women should not be heard in
church, they must dress modestly and do good deeds.
In the OT women were seen as possessions and could be
divorced by their husbands.
Jesus only chose men as his chief disciples/apostles.
On the other hand on the OT women were brave, loyal and
set good examples.
In the NT many women followed Jesus and were more
faithful; being at the cross, at the tomb and the first to
see him when he rose from the dead
8. Christian Churches and Gender
For nearly 2,000 years men have taken all priestly roles in
the churches.
For many there is the strong belief that a priest
represents Jesus at the altar and that therefore his place
cannot be taken by a woman.
In some churches in the 20th cent. This was changed after
much discussion, eg: Baptist and Methodist.
In 1990’s C of E changed after much heartache. This led
to some priests and people leaving the church and going
over to the Roman Catholic Church which still does not
have women priests.
The RCs believe that women have a special and distinct
role in the Church but it is not priestly.