Religious and non-religious teachings on human rights and responsibilities, prejudice and discrimination, social justice, and the responsible use of wealth and helping the poor.

What this dot point is asking

Eduqas wants you to explain religious and non-religious teachings on human rights and responsibilities, prejudice and discrimination, social justice, and the responsible use of wealth and helping the poor, from Christian, Islamic and non-religious perspectives. This is the Issues of Human Rights theme. It feeds 15-mark evaluation questions on prejudice, social justice and wealth, so you need the content, both religions' views, the range within each, and the sources of wisdom and authority Eduqas rewards.

Human rights and responsibilities

Believers point to figures who fought for rights from faith, such as Martin Luther King (Christian) in the civil rights movement, as examples of religion supporting justice and equality.

Prejudice and discrimination

Religions condemn prejudice and discrimination, because all people are equal in worth before God. Christians cite "there is neither Jew nor Greek ... for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28) and the parable of the good Samaritan (which crosses ethnic divides); Muslims teach that "the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous" (Surah 49:13), not the most powerful or the richest. Humanists oppose discrimination on grounds of equality and human dignity.

Social justice and the use of wealth

Social justice is working for a fair society, especially for the poor and oppressed. The biblical prophets demanded it ("let justice roll down like waters", Amos 5:24), and both religions teach care for the vulnerable.

On wealth, religions teach it is a trust from God, not wrong in itself but to be earned honestly and shared. Christians warn that "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10), and Jesus told a rich man to "sell your possessions and give to the poor" (Luke 12:33) and taught the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25). Islam makes Zakah (2.5 per cent of surplus wealth) an obligatory pillar and praises voluntary Sadaqah. So believers must use wealth generously and justly, which is the focus of the evaluation question on giving wealth away.

Common and divergent views

The common view is that all people have dignity and rights, that prejudice and discrimination are wrong, and that wealth must be shared with the poor. There is broad agreement here, shared with Humanists. The divergences are mainly over how far generosity must go (giving everything away versus responsible stewardship and providing for one's family) and over particular rights debates. For the exam, present human dignity, anti-discrimination and care for the poor as widely shared, and use the limits of generosity when evaluating.

Try this

Q1. What is the difference between prejudice and discrimination? [a-style recall]

• Cue. Prejudice is an unfair pre-judgement or attitude about a person or group; discrimination is acting on that prejudice, for example unequal pay or exclusion.

Q2. Explain how Islam teaches Muslims to use their wealth to help the poor. [b-style short explanation]

• Cue. Islam makes Zakah obligatory, giving 2.5 per cent of surplus wealth to the poor each year (which purifies the rest), and praises voluntary Sadaqah; wealth is a trust from Allah to be shared, reducing inequality and supporting the needy.