GCSE Religious Studies Christians & Racial Harmony

What is the connection between this man …

… Christian belief and …

… this topic?

Term 5: Religion & Community Cohesion

1. How & Why Attitudes To The Roles Of

Men & Women Have

Changed In the UK

2. Different Christian

Attitudes to Equal Rights

For Women In Religion

3. The UK As A Multi-Ethnic

Society

4. Assessment 5. Government Action To Promote

Community Cohesion In the UK

6. Why Christians

Should Help To Promote

Racial Harmony

Complete Religion & Community Cohesion

3 & Begin Religion: Rights &

Responsibilities

Half Term Holiday

Assessment Feedback

Lesson 6: Christians & Racial Harmony May 17, 2015

•D Describe what Christian teaching on racism is.•C/B Explain the Christian teaching on racism. •A/A*Evaluate To evaluate the influence of a well known Christian whose beliefs led him to campaign against discrimination (even at great personal cost).

Key Words: Racism, Multi-Ethnic, Segregation, Equality, Justice

Martin Luther King …

A quick resume:

1.Helped organise the black boycott of the Montgomery bus system in 1955 after Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man. Black’s were ordered to sit at the back of American buses. Watch these slides of the boycott.

2.MLK set up a bus boycott

3.After 382 days, the boycott was successful. Bus segregation was outlawed although it continued in many states.

What did he want to achieve?

• From 1957 onwards King organised protests for the civil rights of Black Americans.

• Blacks should have the same social and political rights as white people.

• Blacks should continue to live in America as US Citizens.

• Black and White communities should live together in harmony.

MLK: “I have a dream …”

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of : “all men are created equal.”

But why did he bother? What inspired him to give his life for this message?

“I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the sort of person they are. I have a dream that one day…all God's children, black, white, Jews and Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the black people's old song, Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

Why Christians Promote Racial Harmony

The following evidence shows why Christians like Martin Luther King have done

so much to promote racial harmony.

The Christian church has members from all over the

world. 70% of Christians are non-white.

Christians have been taught to promote racial harmony from

the time of Jesus.

The Story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)

… almost like a story of team rivalry.

In this parable Jesus tells us to help whoever is in need, even if they are people who you would usually dislike …

Jesus treated a Samaritan woman as his equal (John 4)

Healed a Roman Centurion’s servant (Luke 7)

St Paul (Galatians 3:26-29)

In his letter to the people of Galatia Paul taught that everyone is equal in Christ. There are no

different races within Christianity.

“You are, all of you, sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus…there are no more distinctions

between Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female, but all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”

(Galatians 3:26-28)

All Christian Churches have condemned racism

In May 1998 the Presidents of Churches Together in England published a letter against racism and religious hatred.

“Any attack on the dignity and human rights of any racial or religious group damages all of us.”

Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis,

Tennessee, where he was planning to make a speech about sanitation

workers. He was staying at the Lorraine Motel in Room 306.

But the world had changed …

… because of his Christian belief in non-violence and his dream of

community cohesion.

Do you think Christians should help to promote racial harmony? Give two reasons for your

point of view. (4 Marks)

Christianity & Racial Harmony – Points to Make in Exam Questions

• Good Samaritan. Love your neighbour. (Luke 10:25-37)• Jesus treated a Samaritan woman as His equal. (John 4)• Jesus healed a Roman Centurion’s servant. (Luke 7)• A black African helped Jesus carry His cross. (Luke 23:26)• Paul said everyone is equal. (Galatians 3:26-29)• All created from one man – Adam – therefore all equal.• All created equally by God.• All created “in image of God.” (Genesis 1:27)• Christian leaders of every race.• All Christian Churches condemn racism.