Prejudice & Discrimination: Sexuality & Disability (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))

The nature of equality, prejudice & discrimination

• Equality means that all humans are of equal value and status

• Prejudice and discrimination are both ways to lessen the value and status of others 

• Prejudice refers to prejudging or forming an opinion about someone or a group without knowing them

  • This opinion is usually based on stereotypes or generalisations about race, gender, religion, or disability, and it is often negative

• Discrimination is when people act on their prejudices and treat others unfairly or unjustly based on their differences

• Both Christianity and Islam are against prejudice and discrimination because they teach that all humans are God’s creation and all are created equal

  • Any action that treats another person as lesser is against this teaching, therefore prejudice and discrimination are wrong

Christian and Muslim attitudes to prejudice based on sexuality

• Prejudice and discrimination based on sexuality is a negative attitude towards someone (prejudice) or treating someone unfairly (discrimination) based on their sexual orientation

• UK law now upholds the equality of people on the basis of sexual orientation and same-sex couples can legally marry

• Christians and Muslims have a range of views on homosexual relations

  • Because of teaching in the Bible and the Qur’an about Adam and Eve, heterosexual relationships between men and women have come to be seen as natural and what God intended

• This remains a controversial topic that inspires a good deal of debate

Christian attitudes towards homosexuality

• Some Christians do not accept homosexuality

  • Heterosexuality is outlined as God’s plan for humans in the Bible, and the Biblical account of Adam and Eve seems to describe a marriage-type relationship, saying “a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24)

  • God commanded the first humans Adam and Eve to “Be fruitful and increase in number” (Genesis 1:28) and only heterosexual couples can do this naturally

  • Several Bible texts condemning homosexuality are taken literally by some Christians

    • For example, Paul’s teaching to the Corinthians that “neither the sexually immoral nor … men who have sex with men … will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

  • These Christians think homosexuality is sinful and would not accept or bless same-sex marriages in their churches

• Some Christians accept homosexuality but do not accept homosexual acts

  • This is based on the idea that all humans are created in God’s image and therefore homosexuals should be accepted

  • However, they believe that homosexual acts are sinful

  • God commanded the first humans Adam and Eve to, “Be fruitful and increase in number” (Genesis 1:28) and only heterosexual couples can do this naturally

  • Catholic teachings say that the purpose of sex is for procreation and therefore homosexuals must remain celibate

  • These Christians would point to Biblical teaching condemning homosexuality

  • They would not accept or bless same-sex marriages in their churches

• Some Christians accept homosexuality

  • This is based on the teaching that everyone is made in God’s image and should be treated with respect

  • These Christians would focus on the Bible teachings about love and say that the teachings that condemn homosexuality are contextual to the time in which they were written and do not apply in the same way today

  • They would bless same-sex civil marriages in their churches and some will marry same-sex couples

Muslim attitudes towards homosexuality

• Many Muslims view homosexuality as wrong

  • They believe that it goes against God’s natural law for humans, and the Qur'an teaching which says ‘How can you lust after men instead of women? What fools you are!’ (Qur’an 27:55)

  • They believe that Muslims should marry someone of the opposite sex and have children, following Shari’ah law and the example set by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

  • Shari’ah law forbids same-sex marriage and therefore any homosexual acts are seen as sex outside marriage, which is forbidden in Islam

    • In some countries that follow Shari’ah law, homosexuality carries severe punishments, even the death penalty

• Some Muslims would encourage people who have committed homosexual acts to repent

  • They would point to the Qur’an teaching that Allah is merciful, so if the people repent for their actions, they may be forgiven

• Some Muslims accept homosexuality but do not accept homosexual acts

  • It is not a sin to have feelings of attraction to someone of the same sex, but it is a sin to act on these feelings.

• Some Muslims would say that homosexuality is acceptable in this day and age.

  • They would say that it is not a choice and that only Allah can ultimately judge people’s actions on the Day of Judgement

  • They would say that the teachings that condemn homosexuality are contextual to the time in which they were written - they do not apply in the same way today

  • Today in the UK, because homosexuality is legal, Muslims should have the choice to make their own decisions

  • The love between a homosexual couple can be just as strong as a heterosexual couple; therefore it is acceptable to be a Muslim and be gay

Christian and Muslim attitudes to prejudice based on disability

• Prejudice and discrimination based on disability is a negative attitude towards someone (prejudice) or treating someone unfairly (discrimination) because they have a physical or mental impairment which has an adverse effect on their ability to carry out ordinary day-to-day activities

  • Examples of disabilities include hearing, visual or speech impairments or restricted growth or mobility

• There are 16 million people living with disabilities in the UK and around 500 million worldwide

• Some people do not understand the issues faced by those living with a disability and may ignore or discriminate against them as a result

• In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 upholds the rights of people with disabilities

  • It provides legal rights in areas such as employment, education, and access

Christian attitudes towards disability

• Christians oppose any discrimination against the disabled

• It goes against what the Bible teaches about the treatment of other people

  • Jesus' teachings on agape and the commandment to 'love your neighbour as yourself' would apply to any treatment of the disabled as 'lesser' in any way

  • The Golden Rule of treating others as you would like to be treated would also apply

  • The Parable of the Sheep and Goats also teaches Christians of the need to care for others

  • Christians also follow Jesus' example of caring for and healing the sick

  • Paul taught that 'you are all one in Christ Jesus' (Galatians 3:28) so no one should discriminate against anyone else for any reason

• Christians would support the use of positive discrimination to support those who need it

Positive discrimination

• Positive discrimination is when people who would normally suffer negative discrimination are instead given positive treatment

• Examples of positive discrimination for people with a disability may include:

  • being given a dedicated section at concerts and football matches, instead of being unable to access stadiums and halls

  • disabled toilets, lifts and accessibility features such as access ramps being provided in public buildings

Muslim attitudes towards disability

• Muslims are taught to help those who need it

• They are taught to look after the elderly and children, including those with disabilities

• The Qur'an teaches that in the eyes of God, everyone is equal and everyone is Allah's creation, therefore we should help all

• Muslims agree with the use of positive discrimination