Christian teaching on Social harmony

Roles of Men and Women

Some parts of the Bible (see full notes) suggest that the woman's role is concerned with home duties and that a wife should be in submission to her husband. This is reflected in the older form of the marriage vows where a woman promised to obey her husband.

Other parts of the Bible seem to suggest an equality. Jesus treated women as equals. His female followers were the ones to stay close by during the crucifixion and were the first to see the risen Jesus.

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that men and women are equal and should have equal roles and rights BUT only men can become priests - Jesus chose only men to be his twelve apostles.

Many Protestant churches have equal roles and also have women priests and ministers.

Some Evangelical Protestant Churches, whilst recognising equality of persons, do not accept that there should be an equality of role - St Paul wrote to a young disciple called Timothy telling him that women should not be in a leadership role over men and that women should be in submission to their husbands.

Racial Harmony

The teaching of the New Testament is completely against the idea of racism. Jesus and St. Paul had time for people of other races. The story or parable of the Good Samaritan is particularly directed at the idea of treating all people with love and respect.

All Christian churches have made statements condemning racism.

Religious Harmony

There is a general agreement among Christian churches that there should be religious freedom - that everyone should have the right to follow their own faith.

Some Christians believe that only Christianity has the full truth, but accept that people can come to God through other religions.

Others are convinced that only Christianity has the full truth and that Christians should try to convert people of other faiths to Christianity.

A few Christians believe that all religions are equal and that they are just different ways of finding God.