Relationships: Equality (AQA GCSE Religious Studies B): Revision Note

Equality in the biblical tradition

What are the Catholic teachings relating to equality in the biblical tradition?

• The Catholic Christian Church teaches that all humans are equal in dignity because they are created by God and loved by God

• Equality does not mean that everyone has the same role but that everyone has equal worth

• Catholic belief is based on biblical teachings relating to the roles of men and women

• This means that all humans, men and women, should be valued and treated equally

• Nobody is inferior to anyone else, and all should be equal in dignity

• This supports the belief that there should be equality in relationships and family life

• The teachings of Jesus about equality in the Bible are also important for Catholics

  • Jesus treated people as equals regardless of gender, social status, wealth and sin

• This means that everyone deserves love, respect and fairness

• It also means that relationships should be based on mutual care, not power

• Catholics interpret this to mean that everyone should be valued equally and that all are equal spiritually

• Biblical teaching supports mutual respect between spouses, care and responsibility within families, and protection of the vulnerable

Catholic teachings on equality

What are the Catholic teachings relating to equality?

• Catholic teachings state that all people have equal dignity and worth because they are created in the image of God and loved by God

  • The Catholic Christian Church teaches that although people may have different roles within family and society, no one is more valuable than anyone else

  • Relationships should be based on mutual respect, love and justice

• However, equality in the Catholic teaching does not mean that everyone has the same role

  • People may have different responsibilities within the family, the church and society

  • These roles should always be lived out with mutual respect, love and service

    • For example, family relationships should be cooperative rather than based on power or control

    • This reflects Jesus’s teaching to love others and put their needs first

• This understanding of equality shapes Catholic views on relationships by emphasising faithfulness, respect and care

• It also supports the belief that all relationships should protect human dignity and promote justice

Gender prejudice and discrimination

What are the Catholic attitudes towards prejudice and discrimination?

• The Catholic Christian Church teaches that men and women are equal because all humans are created in the image of God (Imago Dei)

• Gender prejudice and discrimination mean judging or treating people unfairly because of their gender

  • The Catholic Church teaches that this is wrong because:

    • It denies human dignity

    • It goes against the command to love your neighbour

    • It leads to injustice and harm

• However, Catholic teachings make an important distinction between how men and women are viewed and the roles that men and women have

  • Men and women may have different roles, especially in family and church life

  • However, roles should never be based on power, and the roles are viewed as equal

  • An example of this is that parents share responsibility for caring for children 

• Catholic teaching is against all forms of prejudice and discrimination

  • Catholicism opposes sexism and exploitation

  • It promotes fairness, respect and opportunity

  • It also calls Christians to challenge unjust attitudes and structures

• These beliefs work in practice for Catholics today in many different ways

  • Women and men should be treated with equal respect

  • Abuse, sexism and inequality are sinful

  • Family and relationships should reflect mutual respect

  • Catholics are encouraged to work for gender justice in society

Different perspectives on equality

What are Catholic perspectives on equality?

• Most Christians believe that men and womenare equal because all humans are created by God

• Jesus also taught love, respect and care for all people

• The Catholic Christian Church teaches that:

  • Men and women are equal in dignity

  • Discrimination and prejudice are morally wrong

  • Everyone deserves respect and fairness

• However, equality for Catholics means equal worth, not identical roles

  • Men and women may have different roles, especially in family and church life

  • Equality does not mean performing the same role

• There are differences between the roles of men and women in the church

  • Women cannot be ordained as priests; this is based on tradition and Jesus choosing male apostles

  • However, women can play important roles in family life, education, charity and parish leadership

  • The church rejects sexism, abuse and discrimination

What are the perspectives of other Christians on equality?

• Some liberal Christians believe that men and women should have equal roles and authority

  • Some Christian denominations allow women to be priests or ministers

  • They might argue that some biblical teachings reflect historical culture, not modern equality

  • Many Protestant churches ordain women and support full gender equality in church leadership

• More conservative Christians believe that men and women are equal but have different God-given roles

  • They argue that traditional family roles should be maintained

  • Leadership roles are often male within these denominations

  • This view is closer to the Catholic teaching on roles