The Power of Equality in Society: One Value to Win Them All
What is equality?
Equality refers to the right of every individual to equal treatment and opportunities, regardless of factors like gender, race, and social position.
Equality is based on the belief that nobody should have poorer life chances because of things like where they come from, what they believe, their sexual orientation, and whether they have a disability.
Historically, certain groups have faced discrimination for these characteristics, while lots of people continue to struggle against discrimination today, in Britain and around the world. Equality recognises these injustices and promotes a fairer society. Equality does not mean helping some at the expense of others, but rather helping and embracing everyone.
The Bible teaches that every person is created by God in His image and descended from one family. Each has the opportunity to be adopted into a spiritual family with God as the Father and Jesus as the Big Brother.
Biblical Perspective on Equality
Jesus Himself broke harsh racial taboos by making friends with a Samaritan woman (John 4:27–42). The Samaritans were the next-door neighbours of Israel who were despised for their mixed-race heritage and false beliefs. The Jews had a habit of walking the long way around their land to avoid contact with its supposedly disgusting people. But Jesus strolled right into enemy territory and sat down for a chat with a Samaritan woman drawing water from a well.
Practicing Equality as Christians
As Christians, how do we treat people in our offices, churches, classrooms, and society? Some of us give partial treatment to people; it could be because of their tribe, faith, lifestyle, or even their skin. For example, if we deprive a disabled person of a job opportunity to give to a physically fit person, even though it is a job the disabled person can handle or a job opportunity that is supposed to be given to a qualified person, we decide to give to someone who isn’t capable because we are related to that person. This is inequality, and it is an act that goes against Christian and human values.
One of the most mind-boggling instances is racism. In countries like Italy, Argentina and Germany, where most of the citizens are majorly christians, racism continues to live on. How can a Christian love God but hate some of his creation just because of skin colour?
We should learn to give people equal opportunities and dignity regardless of their background, faith, and lifestyle because we are made in the image of God. The Bible says in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ.” God has made us in his image, therefore we are equal before him regardless of status on earth.
In addition, equality has a lot of benefits for society, as it reduces violence and poverty, improves education, increases the economy, and a lot more.
Finally, people should be given equal treatment, kindness, and respect, and discrimination should be avoided in all areas because equality leads to a healthier community.
READ: Friendship: A Cornerstone of Human Happiness
Content Credit| Igbakuma Rita Doom, https://www.twinkl.fr/teaching-wiki/equality, https://realfaith.com/what-christians-believe/what-do-christians-believe-about-equality/
Picture Credit | https://www.franfund.com/blog/franfunds-journey-toward-dei
