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Equality - Coggle Diagram
Equality
Gender
Some biblical verses emphasise that men and women are all equal in God's eyes. Others, however, suggest that men and women have distinct, God-given roles
In Genesis, God creates Eve as a 'helper' for Adam (Genesis 2:18)
Old Testament teachings such as this are also often referenced by movements such as Quiverfull, which seeks to restore traditional gender roles at home and in society at large
Many modern Christians point out that the way Jesus lived his life is somewhat at odds with these teachings: women travelled with him (although none became apostles), and figures such as Mary Magdalene play a key part in the Gospels
Simone de Beauvoir's insight is that there is a difference between biological sex, which is defined by people's reproductive organs, and gender, which is defined by society
'O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another' Qur'an 49:13
Race
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The parable of the good Samaritan is a criticism of racist attitudes as it is likely to challenged any prejudices in the contextual audience
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The Old Testament is more complex: it features several discussions of how slaves should be treated. Historically, some elements of the Church have supported slavery
Others have opposed it. Today, few Christians would support the practise
Secular Equality Ideas
Strict Equality - Everyone has the same amount of goods (money, resources)
Equality of Need - Summed up by Marx's proclamation that goods (resources, money) should be distributed 'from each according to his ability, to each according to his need'. The idea here is that equality is best achieved by satisfying people's needs. This solves the problem raised earlier with simple equality - those who have greater needs should simply receive more resources.
Equality of Desert - Goods (resources, money) should be distributed to the extent that people deserve them (equally, the phrase 'just deserts' refers to the punishment a person deserves). Those who do the most (e.g. put in the most effort, produce the most, have the greatest talents), deserve the most resources.
'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' Galatians 3:28
Disability
Many of Jesus' miracles involve him curing people who are deaf, blind or unable to walk
Biblical examples establish Christ as a great healer and emphasise his loving ethic; they sit somewhat awkwardly with modern conceptions of disability
Campaigners for disability equality are not seeking pity/healing, but respect. The demand is for autonomy and equal rights, not a miraculous cure
On the other hand, many of the charities and legal changes in this area have historically been spearheaded by members of the Church
Martin Luther King is well known for his pacifist approach to pursuing civil rights for African Americans during the twentieth century. King was an ordained minister, and his Christian beliefs informed his strategy of non-violent resistance to the discrimination and prejudice which permeated all parts of American society at the time. He was known for peaceful protests, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955-6. King received a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts