Christian Ethics 90

Unit 6, Theme 1

When have you experienced or witnessed pre-judgment (prejudice)?

• What were the feelings?

• Was it right?

• Why did it happen?

It happened to me…

My friends,

as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Lord of glory,

you must never treat people

in different ways according

to their outward appearance.

James 2:1

• Identify and analyze examples of prejudice

• Suggest ways that they could respond with compassion to situations of injustice

• Demonstrate an understanding of how responding with compassion leads to peace

Students will…

1. Christian justice is rooted in love.

2.Compassion is the ability to feel and act with and for another.

3. Respect for the human person considers the other “another self.”

4.Peace is the fruit of justice.

Key Concepts

1.Christian justice is rooted in love. It is based not only on fairness, by also on mercy and compassion.

Key Concept – Christian Justice

2. Compassion is the ability to feel and act with and for another.

It is not pity

Key Concept - Compassion

3. Respect for the human person considers the other “another self.”

It already respects the fundamental rights that flow from the dignity that every person has, and that cannot be taken away.

Key Concept - Respect for the human person

4. Peace is the fruit of Justice.

Key Concept - Peace

Find a specific example of injustice based on prejudice.

• Sexism

• Nationalism

• Racism

• Classism (economic status)

• Religious discrimination

Complete the questions on handout “Prejudice and Injustice – See, Judge, Act”

Write a letter or give a speech addressing the prejudice and identifying what ought to be done about it.

Assignment

Until the early years of the twentieth century, women were not allowed to vote.

In Afghanistan, when the Taliban were in charge, women could not be educated and had to cover their faces when outside their home.

Women are not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia and they are required to walk behind the man who is with them.

In the United States, black people could not sit in the front of buses or use the same water fountains as white people until the 1950s and 1960s.

After 9/11, anyone who looked Middle Eastern was looked at suspiciously and was often the victim of prejudice.

Some landlords will not rent to a gay couple.

Apartheid in South Africa was racial segregation where non-whites could not vote and had to live in separate communities.

In a divorce, women are usually given custody, which is a sex-based prejudice.

Women on average earn less pay than men for doing the same job

Bullying can be caused by a prejudice against people who are different.

Some parents will not approve their offspring marrying anyone of a different religion.

It is sometimes assumed that someone who is physically disabled is also mentally disabled.

Prejudice: Historically and Now