definition of human rights
the principle of treating all people fairly
what are the two human rights act that were formed
- 1948 UN Declaration of Human rights was formed
- 1998 the Human Rights Act was formed in the UK
3 examples of Human Rights
- freedom of religion
- right to education
- freedom of speech
right to liberty definition
the right to be free, and go about one’s lawful business without interference or restriction
examples of when equality before the law is neglected
discrimination due to race, gender and religion
2 examples of when right to liberty is neglected
slavery and forced child labour
2 buddhist views on right to liberty
- eightfold path: right action, right intention
- metta: showing loving and kindness and thus all deserve liberty
2 christian views on right to liberty
- jesus taught to ‘proclaim freedom for the prisoners’
- bible teaches ‘all are equal in christ’ thus all deserve liberty
definition of equality before the law
a person’s right to fair and equal treatment and protection under the law
2 buddhist beliefs about freedom of religion
- respect for all faiths is part of buddhist philosophy - 8-fold path
2 buddhist views on equality before the law
- eightfold path
- karuna: compassion
2 christian views on equality before the law
- we are all created in the ‘image of god’
- ‘there is neither jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in christ jesus’
2 christian beliefs about freedom of religion
- jesus never forced anyone to follow him - story of the rich man
- ‘there is neither jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in christ jesus’
freedom of religion definition
a person’s right to follow, or not follow, a religion
example of when freedom of religion is neglected
people persecuted for religious beliefs
definition of freedom of opinion and speech
this is the right to hold any opinion and say, write or publish whatever you like
2 buddhist beliefs about freedom & speech
- right speech (part of the 8-fold path)
the first moral precept (no harm)
when should freedom of speech be limited
if its offensive eg racist/homophobic remarks
2 christian views on freedom of opinion & speech
- god created us with free will and the ability to reason
- jesus spoke openly before people he called the Pharisees ‘hypocrites’
definition of social justice
ensuring society treats people fairly whether they are poor or rich, privileged or marginalised
what are the aims of social justice
- to close the gap between the opportunities of the rich and poor families
- to create opportunities for all, regardless of where they live, their upbringing and how much money they have
2 christian campaigns for social justice
- christian aid: aim to expose poverty, to highlight, challenge and change the structures that favour the rich and powerful over the poor and marginalised
- Tearfund: tackle poverty on a national and global level
definition of prejudice
holding biased opinions about an individual or group
definition of discrimination
actions or behaviour that result from prejudice
