Religion, human rights and social justice
Human rights and the responsibilities that come with rights, including the responsibility to respect the rights of others.
Importance of human rights
maintain human dignity (morally correct)
protect people from abuse or mistreatment
Christians view:
The Bible says that all humans are ‘made in God’s image’ → all people are equal and so everyone should have access to their human rights.
The Bible says ‘let justice roll like a river’ → we should work to achieve justice and full human rights for all people.
Christian Attitudes towards Human Rights (What can they do?)
1. Campaign groups/Charities
Human rights should be worked for by peaceful means. For example, by joining an organisation like Amnesty International that campaigns for better
human rights by marches and publicising information about human rights abuses.
2. Non-violent protest
Christian might also be inspired to fight for human rights by the example of Martin Luther King who fought for racial justice in the USA and always used
pacifist methods like boycotts, marches and speeches.
3. Liberation Theology
argues that Christians should unite with the oppressed and poor and speak out against unjust governments and human rights abuses. Being
kind to people is not enough. Instead, whole systems need changing to eradicate oppression
Some Christians may decide that the only way to achieve justice is through the use of violence, (because there is no other possible method of
protest – no votes, and protesting will lead to arrest death)
Eg. Camilo Torres - a liberation theologian and catholic priest who fought with the armed rebels in Columbia against the corrupt government.
Eg. Oscar Romero (Roman Catholic Archbishop) – used his sermons to promote the idea of rights for the poor and weak (non-violent response to
oppression). In 1980, while taking Mass, armed men burst into the cathedral and shot him dead, and some of those who listened to him.
Buddhist Attitudes towards Human Rights
💡 Buddhists are committed to ease suffering and recognise the importance of human rights.
Some actively support the work of charities such as Amnesty International.
Most Buddhists would say that rights are relatively limited unless everyone takes personal responsibility for cultivating wisdom and compassion.
The Buddha advised rulers they have a responsibility to people; who also have duties (responsibility) towards each other such as; put others first, to be
honest, kind, free from anger and patient.
Using the freedom of speech to kindly and truthfully even if the truth is sometimes pain full to hear. Each person has a responsibility for what they say and
how they say it.
Ethical communication is also the responsibility of the listener and need to accept if they are offended by what is said is not to react as reaction is choice.
Non-religious Contemporary British Attitudes
💡 Social justice is about trying to protect people’s rights and opportunities so the least advantaged members of society are treated with the same justice
and compassion as more advantaged people.
This means justice in terms of wealth distribution, the law, equal rights and opportunities for all people. For social justice to exist, society must be fair to all
regardless of race, age, gender, sexuality and disability. It also means that society has to be organised so that it is open to all in terms of education, health
care, housing and social welfare.
The united nations 2006 document Social Justice in an Open World states ‘Social Justice may be broadly understood as the fair and compassionate
distribution of the fruits of economic growth.’
Social justice is a reason why religions fight for human rights and against prejudice and exploitation of all people including the poor and vulnerable
Issues of equality, freedom of religion and belief including freedom of religious expression.
Freedom of expression ⟶ The right to worship preach and practice one’s faith in whatever way one chooses
Persecution ⟶ hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race or political or religious beliefs; oppression
Country Form of Persecution suffered by Christians christian response
Pakistan denied work/education, jailed on false charges determined to remain Christian
Libya churches are forbidden, christians can be executed come to christ through TV, media, radio
Somalia Christians can be killed on the spot for owning a bible secret meetings
Afghanistan cannot be buried as a Christian their faith remains
North Korea Christians are imprisoned retain their faith in prison
Religion, human rights and social justice 1
, Quotes relevant to those who are being persecuted
’Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ - Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s Gospel
“Though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater
worth than gold… may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.” - 1 Peter (New Testament letter)
“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” - Philippians (St Paul)
“Turn the other cheek” – Jesus Matthew’s gospel
Quotes relevant to Christians who are not themselves being persecuted
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.” - 1 Corinthians (St Paul)
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” - Romans (St Paul)
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” - Galatians (St Paul)
Quotes about the correct Christian response to those of other faiths
believed that Jesus taught religious freedom - in public or in private, to change religion or not to follow any religion is regarded by most Christians as a
fundamental right
“Live at peace with everyone” - Romans (St Paul)
“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us
is for us.” - Mark’s Gospel
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” - Galatians (St Paul)
”I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.
Keep away from them” - Romans 16:17
Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people's faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught → Stay away from
them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent
people.
How do Christians respond to religious persecution?
Help those who are suffering from persecution through acts
‘if one part suffers, every part suffers with it’
Support Open Doors
rebuild homes
restore churches
distribute food and medicine
smuggle Bibles
pray for them
Maintain their faith
‘blessed are the persecuted’ → those who suffer persecution for their faith will go to heaven
Acts For religious freedom
UNDHR (United Nations Declaration of Human Rights)
no one is forced to be Christian
Christians are free to evangelise
Acts Against religious freedom
people being fined for not going to church
“True faith is shown through helping the persecuted” [12]
Disagree
‘blessed are those who are persecuted’ - Jesus
True faith is shown when the persecuted maintain their faith
True faith can be shown through Christian worship
prayer, reading Bible, holy communion
Christians should help people in need more broadly
victims of war, poor
Agree
sign of compassion/love
follows the example of Jesus, Good Samaritan
‘if one part suffers, all parts suffer’ - St Paul
Open Doors is a Christian charity which helps the persecuted
helping christians is a way of showing true faith
‘overcome evil by good’ - St Paul
when people are being persecuted, helping is being good in response to evil
Religion, human rights and social justice 2
Human rights and the responsibilities that come with rights, including the responsibility to respect the rights of others.
Importance of human rights
maintain human dignity (morally correct)
protect people from abuse or mistreatment
Christians view:
The Bible says that all humans are ‘made in God’s image’ → all people are equal and so everyone should have access to their human rights.
The Bible says ‘let justice roll like a river’ → we should work to achieve justice and full human rights for all people.
Christian Attitudes towards Human Rights (What can they do?)
1. Campaign groups/Charities
Human rights should be worked for by peaceful means. For example, by joining an organisation like Amnesty International that campaigns for better
human rights by marches and publicising information about human rights abuses.
2. Non-violent protest
Christian might also be inspired to fight for human rights by the example of Martin Luther King who fought for racial justice in the USA and always used
pacifist methods like boycotts, marches and speeches.
3. Liberation Theology
argues that Christians should unite with the oppressed and poor and speak out against unjust governments and human rights abuses. Being
kind to people is not enough. Instead, whole systems need changing to eradicate oppression
Some Christians may decide that the only way to achieve justice is through the use of violence, (because there is no other possible method of
protest – no votes, and protesting will lead to arrest death)
Eg. Camilo Torres - a liberation theologian and catholic priest who fought with the armed rebels in Columbia against the corrupt government.
Eg. Oscar Romero (Roman Catholic Archbishop) – used his sermons to promote the idea of rights for the poor and weak (non-violent response to
oppression). In 1980, while taking Mass, armed men burst into the cathedral and shot him dead, and some of those who listened to him.
Buddhist Attitudes towards Human Rights
💡 Buddhists are committed to ease suffering and recognise the importance of human rights.
Some actively support the work of charities such as Amnesty International.
Most Buddhists would say that rights are relatively limited unless everyone takes personal responsibility for cultivating wisdom and compassion.
The Buddha advised rulers they have a responsibility to people; who also have duties (responsibility) towards each other such as; put others first, to be
honest, kind, free from anger and patient.
Using the freedom of speech to kindly and truthfully even if the truth is sometimes pain full to hear. Each person has a responsibility for what they say and
how they say it.
Ethical communication is also the responsibility of the listener and need to accept if they are offended by what is said is not to react as reaction is choice.
Non-religious Contemporary British Attitudes
💡 Social justice is about trying to protect people’s rights and opportunities so the least advantaged members of society are treated with the same justice
and compassion as more advantaged people.
This means justice in terms of wealth distribution, the law, equal rights and opportunities for all people. For social justice to exist, society must be fair to all
regardless of race, age, gender, sexuality and disability. It also means that society has to be organised so that it is open to all in terms of education, health
care, housing and social welfare.
The united nations 2006 document Social Justice in an Open World states ‘Social Justice may be broadly understood as the fair and compassionate
distribution of the fruits of economic growth.’
Social justice is a reason why religions fight for human rights and against prejudice and exploitation of all people including the poor and vulnerable
Issues of equality, freedom of religion and belief including freedom of religious expression.
Freedom of expression ⟶ The right to worship preach and practice one’s faith in whatever way one chooses
Persecution ⟶ hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race or political or religious beliefs; oppression
Country Form of Persecution suffered by Christians christian response
Pakistan denied work/education, jailed on false charges determined to remain Christian
Libya churches are forbidden, christians can be executed come to christ through TV, media, radio
Somalia Christians can be killed on the spot for owning a bible secret meetings
Afghanistan cannot be buried as a Christian their faith remains
North Korea Christians are imprisoned retain their faith in prison
Religion, human rights and social justice 1
, Quotes relevant to those who are being persecuted
’Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ - Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s Gospel
“Though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater
worth than gold… may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.” - 1 Peter (New Testament letter)
“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” - Philippians (St Paul)
“Turn the other cheek” – Jesus Matthew’s gospel
Quotes relevant to Christians who are not themselves being persecuted
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.” - 1 Corinthians (St Paul)
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” - Romans (St Paul)
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” - Galatians (St Paul)
Quotes about the correct Christian response to those of other faiths
believed that Jesus taught religious freedom - in public or in private, to change religion or not to follow any religion is regarded by most Christians as a
fundamental right
“Live at peace with everyone” - Romans (St Paul)
“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us
is for us.” - Mark’s Gospel
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” - Galatians (St Paul)
”I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.
Keep away from them” - Romans 16:17
Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people's faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught → Stay away from
them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent
people.
How do Christians respond to religious persecution?
Help those who are suffering from persecution through acts
‘if one part suffers, every part suffers with it’
Support Open Doors
rebuild homes
restore churches
distribute food and medicine
smuggle Bibles
pray for them
Maintain their faith
‘blessed are the persecuted’ → those who suffer persecution for their faith will go to heaven
Acts For religious freedom
UNDHR (United Nations Declaration of Human Rights)
no one is forced to be Christian
Christians are free to evangelise
Acts Against religious freedom
people being fined for not going to church
“True faith is shown through helping the persecuted” [12]
Disagree
‘blessed are those who are persecuted’ - Jesus
True faith is shown when the persecuted maintain their faith
True faith can be shown through Christian worship
prayer, reading Bible, holy communion
Christians should help people in need more broadly
victims of war, poor
Agree
sign of compassion/love
follows the example of Jesus, Good Samaritan
‘if one part suffers, all parts suffer’ - St Paul
Open Doors is a Christian charity which helps the persecuted
helping christians is a way of showing true faith
‘overcome evil by good’ - St Paul
when people are being persecuted, helping is being good in response to evil
Religion, human rights and social justice 2
