Theme F: Religion, Human Rights and Social Justice
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Human Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the United Nations in 1948. It contains 30 articles setting out fundamental rights that apply to all people.
Christians ground human rights in imago Dei (made in God's image); Islam teaches all people are equal before Allah, with rights balanced by responsibilities.
Human Rights — Key Knowledge
- UDHR 1948, 30 articles
- right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, right to education, right to a fair trial
Prejudice and Discrimination
Prejudice is pre-judging someone without knowledge — an attitude. Discrimination is acting on prejudice — treating someone unfairly because of a characteristic.
Both Christianity and Islam teach that all people are equal before God and that prejudice is wrong.
Prejudice and Discrimination — Key Knowledge
- prejudice attitude — pre-judging without knowledge
- discrimination action — unfair treatment
- racism discrimination based on race or ethnicity
- sexism discrimination based on gender
- religious discrimination unfair treatment based on religion or belief
Religious Teachings on Equality
Christianity and Islam both contain explicit teachings against racial and ethnic discrimination, rooted in the belief that God created all people equal.
These teachings are used to argue that racism directly contradicts both Christian and Muslim belief.
Religious Teachings on Equality — Key Knowledge
- "There is neither Jew nor Gentile... for you are all one in Christ Jesus" Galatians 3:28
- "No Arab has superiority over a non-Arab" Hadith — Muhammad's final sermon
- Surah 49:13 — diversity is part of God's plan
Religious Freedom
Religious freedom is the right to practise, change, or express religious beliefs. It is protected under Article 18 of the UDHR.
Christianity teaches love for all including enemies (Matthew 5:44); Islam cites Surah 2:256, though views on apostasy vary across Muslim communities.
Religious Freedom — Key Knowledge
- Article 18 of UDHR protects religious freedom
- right to convert or hold no religion, limits of tolerance freedom of belief protected but actions that harm others can be limited by law
Role of Women in Christianity
Christian denominations differ on the role of women. The Catholic and Orthodox churches do not ordain women; the Church of England has ordained women as priests since 1994 and bishops since 2015.
The debate centres on whether biblical restrictions on women reflect timeless teaching or the culture of the time.
Role of Women in Christianity — Key Knowledge
- Catholic/Orthodox no female ordination — tradition, Jesus chose male apostles
- Church of England women priests from 1994, women bishops from 2015
- Galatians 3:28 supports equality
- 1 Corinthians 14:34 "Women should remain silent in the churches" — many argue this is culturally specific
Role of Women in Islam
In Islam, men and women are spiritually equal before Allah. Women have rights to education, property, and divorce under Islamic law.
Restrictions on women in some Muslim communities often reflect cultural practice rather than religious teaching.
Role of Women in Islam — Key Knowledge
- spiritual equality before Allah, Surah 4:1 created from a single soul
- women's rights to education/property/divorce in Islamic law, Khadijah Muhammad's wife — businesswoman and first convert to Islam
Attitudes to Homosexuality
Traditional Christian and Muslim teachings consider homosexual acts sinful, but there is growing diversity of opinion within both religions.
This is one of the most debated areas within both religions, with a wide spectrum of views.
Attitudes to Homosexuality — Key Knowledge
- Leviticus 18:22 traditional Christian prohibition
- people of Lut Qur'anic reference used in traditional Muslim teaching
- liberal Christians increasingly affirm same-sex relationships, "God is love" 1 John 4:8
- some Muslim scholars distinguish between orientation and action
Wealth and Poverty
Both Christianity and Islam teach that wealth is not wrong in itself but must be used responsibly. Ignoring the poor while hoarding wealth is condemned.
Neither religion condemns wealth itself — only its misuse or the neglect of those in need.
Wealth and Poverty — Key Knowledge
- causes of poverty war, corruption, lack of education, unfair trade, natural disasters, debt
- Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16:19-31 — ignoring the poor has eternal consequences
- "Faith without deeds is dead" James 2:26
Zakah and Islamic Teachings on Wealth
Zakah is one of the Five Pillars of Islam — an obligatory annual payment of 2.5% of savings to help those in need. Wealth is seen as a blessing from Allah that comes with responsibility.
Zakah purifies wealth and is a duty to Allah, not a choice — this distinguishes it from voluntary giving.
Zakah and Islamic Teachings on Wealth — Key Knowledge
- Zakah 2.5% of savings, one of the Five Pillars — obligatory not optional
- Khums Shi'a — 20% of surplus income
- Sadaqah voluntary charity
- wealth must be earned honestly, hoarding wealth is condemned
Exploitation of the Poor
Religious teachings condemn the exploitation of the poor and call for justice in trade and debt. Islam specifically prohibits charging interest (riba).
The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) teaches Christians to help those in need regardless of who they are.
Exploitation of the Poor — Key Knowledge
- fair trade ensuring fair prices for producers in developing countries
- debt interest payments trap developing countries in poverty
- Jubilee 2000 campaign church-supported call for debt cancellation
- riba interest — prohibited in Islam, Surah 2:275
- Ummah global Muslim community — duty of mutual care
Charity
Both Christianity and Islam teach that belief must be expressed through practical action to help the poor. Religious charities put these teachings into practice worldwide.
Both Christian Aid and Islamic Relief work with communities of all faiths and none, motivated by religious principles of justice and compassion.
Charity — Key Knowledge
- Parable of the Sheep and Goats Matthew 25:31-46 — helping the hungry and stranger is serving Christ
- tithing giving a proportion of income to the church
- Christian Aid tackles poverty and injustice, campaigns for systemic change
- Islamic Relief emergency aid and long-term development based on Islamic principles of mercy
Map your gaps
Theme F: Religion, Human Rights and Social Justice
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