Forms of Prejudice.

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

Forms of Prejudice.

Many things cause prejudice. Prejudice means prejudging something or someone before knowing it or them first hand, often with no good cause. Types of prejudice are race, gender, religion, class, age, sexual orientation and disability. When the word prejudice is mentioned the listener generally thinks of the prejudice that exists between different races. Prejudice is a preconceived opinion. This opinion is formed without a suitable knowledge or understanding of what is being judged. Prejudice often occurs because of early influences from family, friends and neighborhood or from a bad experience. Prejudice is frequently brought into society by having widely held, but inaccurate, beliefs. Most people are prejudice because others are different to them and they dislike the difference, as it makes them feel insecure. Prejudice is unnecessary and could one day lead to the demise of society, as it exists today. If the prejudice is held for too long, it can turn into discrimination. Discrimination is taking action with prejudice views. People sometimes say that discrimination = prejudice + power. Like prejudice, discrimination comes in many forms. Single people or small groups may discriminate by being violent or abusive to others. Large groups and societies may discriminate by passing laws, which prevent people doing some things.

Christianity and Prejudice.

Christians are taught by the bible to not like prejudice. In the bible, there are many anti prejudice stories. Generally, Christians believe that god created everybody equal and so they should be treated the same. Christianity teaches that everyone is equal in the eyes of God and so it would be wrong to make anyone feel inferior or suffer because of any difference between them:

You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:39

Christians work hard to avoid prejudice and discrimination but in some cases, Christians have been found guilty of it.

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Christianity and Prejudice.

You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:39

Christians work hard to avoid prejudice and discrimination but in some cases, Christians have been found guilty of it.

For many years in South Africa, the Dutch Reformed Church supported apartheid, the system that meant that black people were separated from white people and treated as inferior.

When Europeans were colonizing other countries around the world, they often killed the native people there and treated them as slaves.

The most well known story of prejudice is the story of the Good Samaritan. Despite being discriminated by others, the Samaritans still helped those in need, despite their race, gender, religion, class, age, sexual orientation or disability.

Muslim attitudes towards prejudice

The Qur'an teaches that Allah created everyone and that everyone is equal. However, he intended people to be the same.

“And among his signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the differences in you languages and colours.” Surah 30:22

Around the world, there is a community of Muslims called the “ummah”. This includes ALL Muslims despite their colour, nationality and such. This shows that to Muslims, no one is excluded; that prejudice and discrimination only exists in the ignorant.

When there is a pilgrimage, everybody wears simple white robes, showing that everyone is equal before Allah. All Muslims must pray five times a day, while facing Makkah, which shows equality and unity.

Often, it is believed that Muslims treat their women poorly, but the Qur’an states the Allah created men and women as equals, but different. Although there are some teachings that make men seem superior, but they just mean that men have a different role in society to women. Although the rights and responsibilities of women are different to those of men, they do have the right to choose whom they marry, to divorce, to study, to own property, to conduct business and to take part in politics. The teachings of Islam direct Muslim women to wear modest clothes that cover their bodies when they are in public, so that men will show them the respect that they deserve:

“O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women that they should put on an outer garment when they are outside so that they should be recognized as who they are and not troubled.” Surah 33:59