Christianity & Racial Discrimination (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)

Christian teachings about racial discrimination

What is racial discrimination?

• Racial discrimination refers to the unfair or unequal treatment of individuals or groups based on their race, ethnicity, or skin colour

• It involves treating people differently or denying them rights and opportunities because of their racial background

• Racial discrimination can occur in many areas of life, such as education, employment, housing, and public services

• There are different forms of racial discrimination:

  • Direct discrimination: Treating someone unfairly because of their race

    • For example, refusing service to a person because of their ethnic background

  • Indirect discrimination: When policies or practices unintentionally disadvantage people of certain racial groups

    • For example, a workplace dress code that disadvantages people from certain cultural backgrounds

  • Institutional racism: When social institutions or organisations (e.g., schools, businesses, governments) have practices or policies that systematically disadvantage people from particular racial groups

What does Christianity teach about racial discrimination?

• Christianity teaches that racial discrimination is wrong because all people are created in God's image and are therefore equal in His eyes

• Christianity promotes love, respect, and equality, which means that treating people unfairly because of their race or ethnicity goes against core Christian principles

• Christianity teaches that every person is created by God and is equal in value, regardless of their race or ethnicity

• Christian teachings come from the Bible and the teachings of Jesus

  • This is based on Genesis 1:27, which says, ‘God created mankind in his own image’

  • Acts 10:34-35: "Then Peter began to speak: 'I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right'"

    • These verses emphasise that God does not discriminate based on race and that all people are equal before Him

• Jesus taught his followers to love their neighbour (Matthew 22:39), and this includes loving people from all races and backgrounds

• The Good Samaritan parable (Luke 10:25-37) highlights the importance of showing compassion and kindness to all people, even those from different races or social groups

  • Jesus’ message was one of inclusion, peace, and love, showing that racial discrimination contradicts Christian values

• Galatians 3:28 says, ‘There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus’ 

  • This means that, in the eyes of God, there is no distinction between races, and all believers are united through faith in Christ

  • Christians are taught to view everyone as equal in the family of God, regardless of their ethnicity or cultural background

• The Bible emphasises that Christians should love all people, regardless of their race

  • In John 13:34-35, Jesus says, ‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another’ 

    • This command encourages Christians to love their neighbours, which includes people of all races

  • 1 John 4:20 says, ‘Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar’ 

    • Christians are called to love all people, and racial hatred or prejudice is not in line with God’s teachings

• Christians are encouraged to work for justice and equality in society

  • Many Christian leaders, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Desmond Tutu, have been at the forefront of movements fighting against racial discrimination, using their faith to promote peace and racial equality

^{Desmond Tutu 2007 at the Deutscher Evangelischer Kirchentag in Cologne 2007 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0}

• Micah 6:8 says, ‘He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God’ 

  • Christians are urged to stand up against injustice, including racial discrimination

Christianity: Racial discrimination & problems in society

How does racial discrimination cause problems in society?

• Racial discrimination can cause a range of problems in society, impacting individuals and communities

  • These problems can harm people’s well-being, lead to social unrest, and create inequality

• Racial discrimination often leads to unequal treatment in areas like education, employment, housing, and healthcare

  • People from certain racial or ethnic groups may face obstacles in getting jobs, access to quality education, or fair treatment in public services

    • For example, people from minority ethnic backgrounds may find it harder to get a job or a promotion, even if they are equally qualified

• Discrimination creates division between different racial or ethnic groups in society, leading to a lack of social unity and trust

  • This can result in racial tensions and conflicts, making it harder for communities to work together peacefully

  • Segregation (the physical or social separation of racial groups) is often a result of discrimination and can lead to prejudice and misunderstanding between different groups

• Experiencing racial discrimination can lead to emotional distress, anger, depression, and lower self-esteem for those affected

  • People who are discriminated against may feel less valued or like they do not belong in society

  • Chronic stress caused by discrimination can also affect people's mental and physical health

• Racial discrimination often leads to economic disadvantages for certain racial or ethnic groups

  • If people are denied fair access to jobs, housing, or education, it can lead to generational cycles of poverty and limit economic mobility

  • Minority groups may also face higher levels of unemployment and poverty, contributing to social and economic inequality in society

• Racial discrimination undermines the idea of a fair and just society, leading to social division

  • If people feel they are treated unfairly because of their race, they may be less likely to trust or cooperate with others in society, which harms overall social cohesion

  • In societies with high levels of discrimination, there may be increased crime rates, violence, and civil unrest as marginalised groups protest against unfair treatment

• Racial discrimination can prevent society from benefiting from the diverse talents, skills, and perspectives of all its members

  • When certain groups are excluded or treated unfairly, society as a whole loses out on the contributions these people could make

  • A lack of inclusion in the workplace, for example, can limit innovation and creativity, while racial discrimination in education can prevent young people from achieving their full potential