What are Prejudice & Discrimination (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

What is prejudice?

• Prejudice refers to prejudging or forming an opinion about someone or a group without knowing that person or group

  • This opinion is usually based on stereotypes or generalisations, and it is often negative

  • Prejudice is a mental attitude that involves biased thinking or assumptions about people due to their race, religion, gender, etc.

  • An example could be if a person holds a prejudiced belief that someone from a certain religion is untrustworthy or violent, even though they have no personal experience with such a person

What is discrimination?

• Discrimination is when people act on their prejudices and treat others unfairly or unjustly based on their differences

  • It is the unfair treatment of individuals or groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, religion, disability or sexual orientation

  • Discrimination can happen in many areas, including education, employment, housing and social interactions

  • Individuals, groups, organisations and even governments can be guilty of discrimination

  • Throughout history, governments have discriminated against groups of citizens. For example, governments have prevented certain groups from voting, living in certain places, marrying their choice of partner and being able to take certain jobs

• In Britain, there are many laws to try and prevent discrimination, but many would say it still exists. For example:

  • Certain people not being allowed access to some buildings, even if those people want or need to use them

  • Difficulties some people, especially women, may have in reaching the leading roles in certain companies or organisations. This is known as the glass ceiling

Religious discrimination

• Religious discrimination is a specific type of discrimination: the unequal treatment of an individual or group based on their beliefs

  • Like all forms of discrimination, it is usually based on prejudice

• Types of religious discrimination include:

  • Not being allowed to practise one’s religion openly

  • Not being allowed to wear symbols or clothing associated with religion in public

  • Attacks on places of worship

  • Acts of violence against religious people

  • Name-calling and insulting behaviour

• Religious discrimination aimed at Muslims is often called Islamophobia

  • This is often based on ignorant and stereotyped views

  • Greater education is the key to greater understanding

• Many Muslim individuals and groups work hard to counter Islamophobia

  • They inform and educate people about Muslim beliefs and practices to stop harmful stereotypes and bring greater unity

  • For example, the Muslim Council of Britain organises Visit My Mosque day each year. People attending can learn about the role of the mosque in the community and the good done by Islamic charities and welfare groups

Christian attitudes to prejudice and discrimination

• Christianity teaches that prejudice and discrimination are wrong because they go against the fundamental Christian principles of love, equality and respect for all people

• Christians are encouraged to treat everyone with kindness and fairness, regardless of their differences

• Christians base their beliefs upon the teachings and example of Jesus

  • Jesus taught that people should love their neighbours (Matthew 22:39)

    • This means treating everyone with respect and kindness, no matter their background, race or religion

  • Jesus showed compassion and care for those who were often marginalised or discriminated against in society, such as women, the poor and sinners

    • For example, he spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), even though Jews and Samaritans typically did not interact

    • The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) teaches Christians to love and care for others, even if they are from different groups or backgrounds. The Samaritan helps a Jew, showing that compassion should not be limited by prejudice

• Christians believe that all people are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), so they should be treated with dignity and respect

• Christianity teaches that all people are equal in the eyes of God. God does not show favouritism. As St Paul taught the Galatians:

• Christians also look to Old Testament teachings that command justice and fairness

  • For example, laws discussed in books such as Leviticus and Deuteronomy instruct believers not to mistreat foreigners or vulnerable people, showing that equality has always been part of God’s expectations

• Jesus taught the Golden Rule that Christians should treat others as they would want to be treated. This means showing love, respect and kindness to everyone

• Christianity teaches that even those who treat you unfairly or discriminate against you should be treated with love. Jesus advised his followers to rise above hate and respond with kindness

• Jesus set the example to follow. Throughout his life, he showed love and care for the poor, the sick, sinners and outcasts

  • He broke social norms and associated with those who were often discriminated against, such as tax collectors and the disabled

    • Jesus choosing Matthew the tax collector as a disciple (Matthew 9:9–13) is a powerful example to all because tax collectors were hated and distrusted. Yet Jesus accepted Matthew fully, showing that prejudice has no place in Christian behaviour

• Christianity teaches the importance of forgiveness, even for those who have acted with prejudice or perpetuated discrimination. Christians believe they should forgive others as God forgives them (Matthew 6:14–15).

  • No one should be held accountable for their prejudice or discrimination if they genuinely seek forgiveness

• Many Christian organisations and churches actively work to combat discrimination and promote equality

  • For example, churches may run campaigns against racism or sexism and advocate for social justice

• Christians recognise that the Church has not always lived up to its own teachings

  • For example, some within the Church were slow to oppose slavery

  • This shows that Christians may struggle to fully practise the equality taught in the Bible

• Christian teaching about religious prejudice and discrimination emphasises equality, respect and fair treatment of all faiths

  • Christians are called to respect the freedom of others, and the Second Vatican Council taught the importance of religious liberty and interfaith dialogue

  • Jesus praised the faith of people outside Judaism, such as the Roman centurion (Matthew 8:10), showing that sincere faith should be valued wherever it is found

  • Christians continue to promote positive relationships between different religions today

Christianity and women in worship

• Christians believe that men and women are equal because both are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27)

• However, different Christian denominations disagree about whether women should hold leadership roles in worship

• Christians who support women in leadership emphasise that the Bible teaches equality

  • St Paul taught that “you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28)

  • Jesus treated women with dignity and respect

  • Early Christian women such as Phoebe and Priscilla had important roles in the Church

  • Ideas about women being silent reflect ancient cultural expectations, not modern life

• The Church of England has ordained women since 1994 and appointed its first female bishop in 2014

• Many nonconformist churches (Methodist, Baptist, United Reformed) have had women ministers for over a century

• Some Christian denominations, including the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, do not permit women to become priests. This is because:

  • Jesus chose male apostles, so these churches believe he intended a male priesthood

  • During mass, the priest represents Jesus, who was male

  • Some New Testament passages appear to restrict women’s leadership. For example, St Paul taught that women should “remain silent in the churches” (1 Corinthians 14:34)

• These churches teach that men and women have equal dignity but different roles

Muslim attitudes to prejudice and discrimination

• Muslims believe that prejudice and discrimination are wrong

• All humans were created equal by Allah and so have equal worth in his eyes

• Islam teaches that all people come from Adam and Eve, so no race or group is superior to another

• This teaching shows that: 

  • Humans have been created differently so that they can develop a better understanding of each other

  • It is the people who are most mindful of Allah who are the most blessed — it has nothing to do with race or tribe

  • Discrimination is wrong because it goes against Allah’s creation

• Allah looks past the differences that cause inequalities between humans, such as colour or ethnicity

• The Qur’an commands Muslims to act justly, even towards people they dislike

• This means:

  • Muslims must treat everyone fairly, including those of other faiths

  • Prejudice, unfair treatment and oppression are forbidden

  • Muslims have a duty to stand up for justice

• Muslims have a role model in the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to show them that everyone should be treated equally 

  • The Hadith al-Bukhari tells the story of a man who asked the Prophet what act in Islam is the best

  • The Prophet replied, “To give food, and to greet everyone with peace, whether you know them or you do not” (Hadith al-Bukhari)

• Even in a situation of war, Muslims are taught not to kill the leaders of other faiths

  • Islam is a religion of peace, and therefore, Muslims should not act in a way that disrupts peace

  • If there are people who do not accept the teachings of Islam, a Muslim’s role is not to treat them with discrimination but instead to educate them about Allah

• The ummah expresses unity across race, nationality and language. This supports the idea of the equality of all. For example:

  • Muslims praying together and facing Makkah

  • All pilgrims wearing simple white clothes (ihram) on Hajj to show equality before Allah

  • Performing Zakah and Sadaqah (charity donations), which support those in need regardless of status

Islam and women in worship

• In Islam, men and women are believed to be equal in the eyes of Allah, although they often have different roles and responsibilities

• This includes differences in how men and women participate in worship and religious leadership

• Women have the same religious obligations as men. For example:

  • Praying

  • Fasting

  • Giving to charity

  • Undertaking pilgrimages

• However, because women often balance worship with caring responsibilities, they are not required to:

  • Attend the mosque for the five daily prayers

  • Attend Jummah (Friday prayer)

• If women do attend the mosque, they pray in a separate area to maintain modesty and minimise distraction

• Traditionally, the role of imam has been held by men. Some Muslims link this to Qur’an 4:34, which refers to men having a degree of responsibility in certain areas of family life.

• However:

  • Women can lead prayer when the congregation is made up only of women

  • Female Islamic scholars, teachers and preachers are widely respected

  • In some countries (for example, China), women-only mosques are led entirely by female imams

• Modern discussions continue about women leading mixed congregations. Some Muslims argue this is acceptable because:

  • The Qur’an does not forbid female imams

  • Early Islamic history records women such as Aisha, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), leading small groups in prayer

• Examples such as Raheel Raza in Britain show that some communities support mixed-gender, female-led prayers, although this remains controversial, and some disagree with the practice. They maintain that leading mixed congregations should remain a male role

Humanist attitudes to prejudice and discrimination

• Humanists believe that all people belong to the same human family

  • Since humans evolved as one species, every person shares a common ancestry and equal worth

• Humanists accept that people have differences, but they argue that these differences should never be used to stereotype or discriminate

• People should be treated as individuals and judged by their actions and character rather than by labels such as race, age, gender or background

• This stance is based on the central humanist values of fairness, respect and equality

• Because prejudice often comes from ignorance or fear, humanists would say that the best way to challenge it is through education and open discussion

  • Public figures such as the actor Stephen Fry have spoken about the harm caused by prejudice, especially around issues such as mental health, and encourage better understanding to reduce discrimination