Human Rights & Social Justice Chapter Notes | Religion, Philosophy & Ethics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Introduction

• Human rights are fundamental freedoms and protections that every person is entitled to simply by virtue of being human.
• These rights aim to ensure fair treatment, dignity, and respect for all individuals, regardless of race, religion, gender, nationality, or other status.
• In 1948, the United Nations (UN) adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
• The UDHR establishes a set of essential human rights to be safeguarded for everyone.
• It includes 30 articles addressing rights such as life, liberty, education, and work.
• The UK, having signed the UDHR, is obligated to uphold these rights in its legal system.
• The UDHR begins with a statement emphasizing universal equality:
  • "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood" (Article 1, UDHR).

The Responsibilities That Come with Human Rights

• Upholding one’s human rights entails the responsibility to respect and support the rights of others.
• Examples include:
  • The right: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion (Article 18).
    • The responsibility: Everyone must respect all religious beliefs and treat all religions equitably.
  • The right: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression (Article 19).
    • The responsibility: Individuals must ensure their expressions do not intentionally offend others or incite violence or hatred.
• Some individuals’ human rights may be restricted, for example:
  • People in prison may lose their rights to liberty and freedom of movement.

Religious Attitudes to Human Rights

Christian Attitudes to Human Rights

• Christians endorse human rights and support all rights outlined in the UDHR.
• They believe all humans are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), deserving respect and fairness.
• They hold that everyone has inherent dignity and worth, equal in God’s eyes, as stated in Galatians:
  • "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).
• Teachings like "love your neighbour as yourself" (Mark 12:31) and the Golden Rule, "Treat others as you wish to be treated," obligate Christians to ensure fair treatment for all.
• The Book of Proverbs emphasizes defending others’ rights:
  • "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy" (Proverbs 31:8-9).

Muslim Attitudes to Human Rights

• ​​​​​​​​Muslims support human rights, as encouraged by the Qur’an: "Help one another to do what is right and good" (Qur’an 5:2).
• Some Islamic countries challenge the UDHR because:
  • They believe Shari’ah law sufficiently protects human rights.
  • Certain UDHR rights conflict with Qur’anic teachings.
• The Cairo Declaration on Human Rights (CDHR), adopted by Islamic states, aligns human rights with the Qur’an, Sunnah, and Islamic legal traditions.
• Article 1 of the CDHR clarifies equality:
  • "All human beings form one family whose members are united by their subordination to Allah and descent from Adam. All men are equal in terms of basic human dignity and basic obligations and responsibilities, without any discrimination on the basis of race, colour, language, belief, sex, religion, political affiliation, social status or other considerations" (Article 1, CDHR).

The Need for Social Justice

• Social justice is the principle that everyone in society deserves equal human rights, fair treatment, and an equitable share of community resources.
• Social justice is achieved when:
  • Human rights are upheld.
  • Wealth is distributed equitably.
  • The most vulnerable and disadvantaged are protected and supported.
  • No one is exploited.
  • Injustice is actively challenged.
• Examples of social injustice include:
  • Racial inequality.
  • The wealthy having better access to resources like healthcare or education compared to the poor.
  • People living in poverty.
  • Religious persecution, such as attacks or vandalism on places of worship.
• Governments can promote social justice by enacting laws and supporting programs that reduce inequalities and advance fairness.

Religious Attitudes to Social Justice

Christian Attitudes to Social Justice

• Christians advocate for social justice.
• The Bible emphasizes the importance of social justice throughout its teachings.
• God is described as a God of justice "All his ways are just" (Deuteronomy 32:4).
• The prophet Amos emphasized the need for justice:
  • "Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-ending stream!" (Amos 5:24).
• Jesus taught that loving God is the first commandment, followed by "love your neighbour as yourself" (Mark 12:31).
• Jesus shared stories highlighting the need for justice, including:
  • The Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46).
  • The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).
• James wrote to the early Church:
  • "Faith without deeds is useless" (James 2:20).
• Christians believe good deeds will be rewarded by God in heaven, even if unnoticed on Earth.
• Christians may apply situation ethics to address social injustice, choosing the most loving action to promote justice.
• Throughout history, Christian campaigners and groups have worked for social justice, including:
  • Individuals:
    • William Wilberforce: Who fought to end slavery in the 19th century.
    • Elizabeth Fry: Who advocated for prison reform.
    • Lord Shaftesbury: Who worked for better factory conditions.
  • Groups:
    • Christian Aid: CAFOD, and TEAR Fund, which campaign to end global poverty.
    • The Salvation Army: Providing food, shelter, and support to the disadvantaged.
    • The Christian Muslim Forum: Fostering honest relationships between Christians and Muslims to work for the common good.
  • Local churches lead community projects to promote social justice.

Muslim Attitudes to Social Justice

• Muslims view working for social justice as a significant duty.
• Allah observes and will judge their actions.
• All humans are equal, created by Allah, and thus everyone must collaborate to ensure social justice.
• The Qur’an instructs Muslims to pursue social justice:
  • "God commands justice, doing good, and generosity towards relatives, and He forbids what is shameful, blameworthy, and oppressive" (Qur’an 16:90).
  • "Adhere to justice, for that is closer to awareness of God. God has promised forgiveness and a rich reward to those who have faith and do good works" (Qur’an 5:8-9).
• The Five Pillars of Islam include obligations to social justice:
  • Zakah (almsgiving or charity) requires Muslims to donate money to help the poor and needy.
  • Sawm (fasting) encourages Muslims to empathize with the poor through fasting.
• Shari’ah law promotes social justice.
• Many social and community projects advancing social justice are organized by local Muslim communities and mosques to support the Ummah.
• Islamic charities working for social justice include:
  • Islamic Relief: which alleviates poverty worldwide.
  • Muslim Aid: which provides emergency aid after disasters.
  • Muslim Hands: which supports vulnerable and deprived individuals in the UK.