Explain two religious beliefs about discrimination.

Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. [6 marks]

Christianity

Most Christians believe that discrimination is a sin.

The Apostle Paul teaches, ‘In Christ, there is no difference between Jew and Greek, slave and free person, male and female. You are all the same in Christ Jesus’ (Galatians 3. 28).

Not only do Christians try not to discriminate, but they also challenge discrimination when they see it happening (e.g. Christian Solidarity Worldwide).

Islam

Most Muslims oppose discrimination in all its forms.

In the Qur’an we read ‘And what is it with you? You do not fight in the cause of Allah and for oppressed men, women, and children’ (4. 75).

As a result, many Muslims work to ensure that all people in the world (including non-Muslims) are treated with respect and dignity (e.g. Inner-City Muslim Action Network).

Buddhism

Many Buddhists avoid all forms of discrimination.

The Buddha taught ‘Should a person commit evil, let him not do it again and again [...] painful is the accumulation of evil’ (Dhammapada 117).

They believe that discrimination is an ‘evil’ (or ‘unskilful’) act which makes it harder for a person to become enlightened and escape the cycle of rebirth (samsara).