Prejudice & discrimination in religion
Social Justice
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Big idea
Prejudice means forming negative opinions about people before knowing them, often based on characteristics such as gender, race or religion. Discrimination happens when those prejudiced attitudes are acted upon, leading to unfair or unequal treatment. Most major religions teach that all humans have equal value because they are created by or connected to the divine, and therefore discrimination is morally wrong.
While some believers support positive discrimination to correct injustice, overall religions teach justice, compassion and practical action — such as charity, campaigning and education — to challenge prejudice and discrimination in society.
Big idea
Prejudice means forming negative opinions about people before knowing them, often based on characteristics such as gender, race or religion. Discrimination happens when those prejudiced attitudes are acted upon, leading to unfair or unequal treatment. Most major religions teach that all humans have equal value because they are created by or connected to the divine, and therefore discrimination is morally wrong.
While some believers support positive discrimination to correct injustice, overall religions teach justice, compassion and practical action — such as charity, campaigning and education — to challenge prejudice and discrimination in society.
Key words
Discrimination – Treating someone unfairly because of characteristics such as gender, race, religion or sexuality.
Equality – The belief that all people have the same value and worth.
Imago Dei – The Christian belief that humans are created in the image of God, giving everyone equal dignity.
Karma – The belief that actions have consequences that affect this life or future lives.
Metta – Loving kindness towards all beings in Buddhism.
Positive discrimination – Giving extra support to disadvantaged groups to achieve fairness.
Prejudice – Judging someone unfairly before knowing them.
Salvation – Being saved or brought into a right relationship with God.
Ummah – The worldwide Muslim community.
Introduction
Prejudice
Prejudice involves forming negative judgements about individuals or groups before knowing them, often based on characteristics such as race, gender, religion or social background.
Discrimination
Discrimination occurs when these prejudices are acted upon, resulting in unfair or unequal treatment. Most religions teach the importance of equality, justice and respect for all human beings, and therefore generally oppose discrimination. Some believers may argue in favour of positive discrimination, where additional support is given to disadvantaged groups in order to achieve true equality and justice. Religious teachings often lead to practical responses such as campaigns, protests, charity work and education to challenge discrimination in society.
In this theme we will consider prejudice and discrimination on the basis of:
Christianity
Old Testament
The Old Testament teaches that all humans are equal in value because everyone is created in the image of God (Latin: imago dei):
“So God created humankind in his own image.” (Genesis 1)
Christianity strongly teaches that discrimination is wrong because all humans are created equally by God. Genesis 1 shows Christians that humanity is made in the image of God (imago Dei), which gives every person equal value and dignity.
This teaching underpins Christian opposition to racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination.
Jesus' teachings
Jesus’ teachings and actions challenged prejudice. The Parable of the Good Samaritan shows Jesus using a despised outsider as the moral example, directly confronting racial and religious prejudice in Jewish society.
When Jesus healed the daughter of the Syro-Phoenician woman, a non-Jew, this showed that God’s love and compassion extend to everyone.
Jesus - the Golden Rule
Jesus' ethical teaching, often called the Golden Rule (Matthew 7) demands fair and loving treatment of all people:
“Do to others what you would have them do to you.” (Matthew 7)
St Paul's letter to the Galatians
This teaching that we have seen before reinforces the opposition to prejudice and discrimination:
“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)
This teaching suggests that social, racial and gender divisions should not exist within Christian communities
Judaism
Torah - love your neighbour
Judaism strongly opposes prejudice and discrimination by teaching that all people deserve equal respect and justice.
“Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Leviticus 19)
This key commandment in the Torah shows that caring for others and treating them fairly is a religious duty. This teaching means Jews should protect human dignity, act justly, and challenge unfair treatment wherever it exists.
Another important teaching reinforces this message: Jews are commanded not to oppress strangers because they themselves were once oppressed in Egypt:
"Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt" (Exodus 22)
Together, these teachings show that social justice is central to Judaism and that no person’s life, needs, or rights are more important than another’s, clearly opposing all forms of prejudice and discrimination.
Islam
Obedience to Allah
Islam teaches that discrimination is wrong because Allah created all human beings equal, though different. Diversity in race, ethnicity and culture is part of Allah’s design and should be respected rather than judged. The Qur’an teaches that humanity was created from a single man and woman and divided into nations and tribes so that people may know one another, not discriminate against one another:
O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may ˹get to˺ know one another. (Surah 49)
Muhammad
The Prophet Muhammad strongly opposed racism. He chose Bilal, a black African man, to perform the call to prayer, showing that status in Islam is based on faith rather than race. In his teachings, Muhammad stated that an Arab is not better than a non-Arab, and a white person is not better than a black person. The concept of the ummah, the worldwide Muslim community, emphasises unity and equality among believers.
The views of non-Abrahamic religions
Hinduism
Hinduism generally teaches that discrimination is wrong because the divine is present in all living beings. Hindus believe that Brahman, the ultimate reality, exists in everything. Each person has an atman, or true self, which means all people are spiritually equal regardless of external differences.
The principle of ahimsa, or non-violence, teaches that harming others through actions or attitudes such as discrimination is wrong. Discriminatory behaviour creates bad karma, which can affect future reincarnations. The Bhagavad Gita teaches that God looks upon all creatures equally, supporting the idea that no individual or group should be treated as inferior. Many Hindus therefore support actions that promote social harmony and equality.
Sikhism
Sikhism strongly rejects discrimination and places great importance on equality and justice. Sikhs believe that God created everyone equally and that God is without caste. Guru Nanak taught that distinctions based on caste or social background are meaningless.
Guru Gobind Singh taught that although people may have different appearances, they are all created from the same substance by the same Creator. The Guru Granth Sahib teaches that those who truly love God will love everyone. The Mool Mantra reinforces the belief that God created all people equally and deserves equal respect from them.
These beliefs are clearly demonstrated in practice through langar, the free community kitchen found in all gurdwaras, where everyone eats together regardless of religion, gender or background. Sikhs also believe in standing up against injustice and often campaign for equality and human rights.
Buddhism
Buddhism teaches that discrimination is wrong because it causes dukkha, or suffering. The Buddha taught that Right Action and Right Intention, which are part of the Eightfold Path, require people to act with kindness, fairness and compassion towards others. Discrimination leads to harmful thoughts and actions, increasing suffering for both individuals and society.
Buddhists aim to develop metta, or loving kindness, towards all living beings without exception. Everyone is considered equal because all people are welcome within the sangha, the Buddhist community. Discriminatory behaviour creates bad karma, which will negatively affect a person’s rebirth. The Dhammapada teaches that divisions such as race, religion, gender and social status are ultimately illusory. The Dalai Lama has also taught that the best way to live is to “always think compassion.” As a result, many Buddhists support peace movements and campaigns that promote equality and non-violence.
In practice
Religious teachings about equality and justice are not just theoretical; they influence real actions in communities around the world.
General responses
Prayer: Many religious believers respond to prejudice and discrimination by praying for justice, peace, and understanding. Prayer can be personal, asking for guidance in treating others fairly, or communal, such as interfaith prayers for reconciliation and harmony between different groups. | Practical Action: Religion often motivates practical help for those affected by discrimination. This can include charity work, running food banks, shelters for the homeless, disaster relief, or projects supporting refugees and marginalized communities. These actions reflect the belief that faith should be lived out through service to others. |
Teaching: Religious leaders and communities educate others about equality and the moral wrong of discrimination. This can involve sermons, religious classes, workshops, or community discussions, using sacred texts and ethical principles to explain why all people deserve respect. | Forgiveness: Religions often encourage forgiveness and reconciliation as a response to prejudice. Forgiveness helps heal divisions between individuals and groups, reduces anger, and promotes peaceful relationships, reflecting teachings such as Jesus’ command to “love your enemies” or Buddhist principles of compassion and metta. |
Specific religious responses
Christianity
Many Christians put Jesus’ teachings into practice through social action. Organisations such as Christian Aid campaign against poverty and injustice globally, while local churches run food banks, homeless shelters and refugee support programmes. Some denominations also campaign for racial equality and the ordination of women, arguing that this reflects the teaching that all are “one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3).
Judaism
Jewish communities often express their opposition to discrimination through the principle of tikkun olam (repairing the world). Many support refugee charities, Holocaust education programmes and human rights campaigns. Jewish groups also work with interfaith organisations to challenge antisemitism and racism, putting the command to “love your neighbour” into action.
Islam
Muslims practise equality through the concept of the ummah, emphasising unity across race and nationality. During Hajj, pilgrims wear simple white clothing to show equality before Allah. Many Muslim charities, such as Islamic Relief, provide aid regardless of race or religion. Mosques may also run educational programmes to challenge Islamophobia and racism.
Hinduism
Hindus may promote equality through practising ahimsa (non-violence) and supporting social reform movements. Inspired by leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, some Hindus have campaigned peacefully against discrimination and injustice. Hindu charities also provide community support, food distribution and education initiatives to reduce inequality.
Sikhism
Sikhism clearly demonstrates equality through langar, the free kitchen in every gurdwara where everyone eats together regardless of background. Sikh communities are also known for disaster relief and standing publicly against injustice. For example, the Khalsa Aid provides international emergency support to people of all faiths and ethnicities.
Buddhism
Buddhists promote non-discrimination by developing metta (loving kindness) and supporting peace movements. The Dalai Lama teaches compassion for all people, and many Buddhist groups support non-violent activism, prison meditation programmes and community projects aimed at reducing suffering and inequality.
Positive Discrimination
Some religious believers argue that positive discrimination can be justified as a way of achieving true justice and equality. Although most religions teach that all people are equal in value, they also recognise that some groups have been historically disadvantaged through prejudice or discrimination. As a result, believers may support giving extra help or opportunities to these groups, such as prioritising the poor, refugees, ethnic minorities or women in leadership. This approach is often linked to religious teachings about compassion, justice and repairing injustice, such as caring for the vulnerable, challenging oppression and reducing suffering. Many religious communities therefore see positive discrimination not as unfair, but as a practical way of putting their beliefs about equality, love and social justice into action.
Arguing about positive discrimnation
Arguments for positive discrimination
Correcting Historical Injustice Positive discrimination helps address past and systemic racial injustices by giving marginalised groups opportunities they were previously denied, promoting fairness and justice.
Promoting Substantive Equality Treating everyone the same isn’t always enough; positive discrimination ensures that disadvantaged groups can achieve comparable outcomes, reducing social and economic inequalities.
Arguments against positive discrimination
Violates Equality Principle Giving preferential treatment based on race can be seen as unfair to individuals from non-marginalised groups, undermining the ideal that everyone should be treated equally.
Challenges Justice as Fairness Positive discrimination may create new forms of disadvantage or resentment, which can conflict with the principle of justice that requires fair treatment for all individuals regardless of race.