GCSE Philosophy and Ethics Coursework

Religion, Poverty and Wealth

Describe the teachings of the religion which you are studying about the way in which believers should treat people who are less fortunate than themselves.

Christianity has many teachings to do with the treatment of others. Christians are taught that caring for people less fortunate than themselves (e.g. poorer) is not a choice, but a responsibility. Throughout the Bible there are numerous examples of how people should treat each other. It is a very important theme of the Bible.

"'The most important [commandment],' answered Jesus, 'is this: "...Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." The second is this: "Love your neighbour as yourself." There is no commandment greater than these.'"(Mark 12:29 - 12:31)

The story of the Good Samaritan in the Bible shows that loving your neighbour is important no matter how different they are to you. It tells the tale of a man who is robbed and left for dead. A Priest notices him as he is walking by, but crosses to the other side of the road. Then a Levite did the same. Finally a Samaritan saw him and took pity on him. The Samaritan bandaged up the man's wounds, put him on his donkey and took him to an Inn to take care of him. The next day the Samaritan left, but before doing so, he paid the innkeeper to care for the man. Jesus taught that the Samaritan was the best neighbour.
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Christians believe that God's final judgement of them will be based on whether or not they helped the deprived. The Bible says in The Sheep and the Goats that God will "separate the people one from another" and welcome those who have helped the poor into heaven. Anyone who refused to help the less privileged will be sent away to Hell, for God said "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

Jesus taught his followers that they should take care of one another. The very first Christians ...

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