Religious Teachings on Justice - Year 9 Religious Studies

What You'll Learn

Explore Christian, Islamic, Sikh, humanist justice teachings.

Recall: Human Rights

Time to recall what you learned last lesson

5:00

Lesson 1 introduced human rights and religious foundations.

Four key characteristics of human rights?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Universal, equal, inalienable, indivisible.

What is imago Dei?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Christian/Jewish: humans made in God image; inherent dignity.

What is khalifah?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Islamic: humans are trustees of God on earth.

Universalism vs relativism?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Universal: same everywhere. Relative: differs by culture.

Religious Justice

Christian Teaching

Amos 5:24: justice rolling like river. Micah 6:8: act justly, love mercy. Matthew 25: care for vulnerable is duty. Luke 4:18: Jesus liberated oppressed. Justice requires structural change.

Islamic Teaching

Zakah: 2.5% wealth to poor (Five Pillars). Sadaqah: voluntary charity. Ummah: community responsibility. Adl: justice is core. Justice structured into worship.

Sikh Teaching

Sewa: selfless service. Langar: free kitchen, all equal. Ik Onkar: one God creates equality. Kirat Karo: earn honestly. Justice challenges hierarchy.

Humanist Ethics

Reason and compassion, not divine command. Utilitarianism: reduce suffering. Dignity without divinity. Systems: healthcare, education, workers rights.

Shared Views

Powerful protect vulnerable; extreme wealth amid suffering unjust; justice requires action; fairness matters.

Individual vs Communal

Christianity: personal virtue and prophetic critique. Islam: justice structured into law and worship. Sikhism: both personal sewa and collective langar. Humanism: focus on systems. Question: change hearts or systems?

Wealth and Poverty

Christianity: not sinful if generous; dangerous to trust money. Islam: permissible if honest and shared. Sikhism: earning honored but sharing essential. Humanism: wealth neutral; justice through policy.

Sort Teachings

Zakah is pillar, not optional Prophets challenge kings All equal; sewa shows this Reason and compassion Sit with poor as equals "Justice roll like river" Wealth shared generously Individual rights matter Community responsible Systems must change

Christian

Islamic

Sikh

Humanist

Are religious teachings on justice outdated?

Words: 0/300

Guidance

Consider: Do religious teachings inspire justice today? Can secular systems alone ensure justice? Do traditions adapt?

Review

Christian biblical justice sources?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Amos 5:24, Micah 6:8, Matthew 25, Luke 4:18.

What is zakah?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Five Pillar; 2.5% wealth to poor annually.

What is langar?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Free kitchen where all eat equal; rejects caste.

Religious vs humanist justice?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Religious: divine command or spiritual equality. Humanist: reason, human dignity, policy.

Why sewa radical?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Serve as equals, not superior helping inferiors. Challenges hierarchy.