Christian Views on Bullying

General Christian Views on bullying make direct eye contact with the bully and calmly tell them to stop if joking comes easy, try humour to shift the energy of the moment solutions to bullying dont try fight the bully, instead walk away tell those in positions of responsibility and do not be upset if they insult you as a 'sneak'; this is how the bully tries to control the victim rather than lose control victims tend to victimise others (abusers abuse) leading to a 'vicious cycle' of abuse. P1 S3.3 - Bullying effects of bullying Bullying bullying prevents people's flourishing or experiencing wellbeing as they lose confidence bullying can result in self harm or suicide school workplace physical types of bullying verbal intimidation through threatening or insulting someone cyber bullying online; without a face-to-face encounter it is easier to be vicious trolling reasons for bullying intimidation through violence upsetting people by posting messages so as to provoke a reaction stress + trauma, low self-esteem; previously victimised; limited education P1 S3.3 - Bullying 1. General 1.1. The issues of bullying in the modern world; types of bullying including cyberbullying; the reasons why bullying occurs; social attitudes to bullying; solutions to bullying. 1.2. Christian attitudes and teachings on bullying; the importance of religious teachings on inclusion and on working towards a peaceful society. 2. Christian Views on bullying 2.1. Why are Christians against bullying? 2.1.1. There are many different reasons why Christians are against bullying. Some of these are: 2.1.1.1. Jesus stopped Peter from attacking the Judas when the Romans came to arrest Jesus from the Garden of Gethsemane shortly after the Last Supper. Jesus condemned Peter’s violence which shows he is against violence. 2.1.1.2. Bullying always involved violence and so can never be right. It does not follow the Golden Rule. 2.1.1.3. The Golden Rule is: Do unto others and you would have them do unto you. Nobody would want to be bullied, so why would you bully someone else? 2.1.1.4. It does not follow situation ethics. Situation ethics means doing what you think is the most loving thing to do. All Christians try to use situation ethics in moral decision making. 2.1.1.5. Bullying denies basic human rights like "You have to right to be free from harassment and discrimination." Christians believe strongly in human rights and so cannot allow bullying. 2.1.2. Key verses that support christian teachings of anti-bullying 2.1.2.1. 'Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.' (1 John 3) 2.1.2.1.1. Anyone who prays to God or claims to be a good Christian but still carries hate toward a fellow Christian / person is not a good Christian 2.1.2.1.2. Still in the darkness – not saved? 2.1.2.1.3. To be a good Christian you need to be kind to everyone. 2.1.2.2. Every person, regardless of what he/she look or act like is created 'in the image of God' 2.1.2.2.1. Everyone is equal 2.1.2.2.2. No matter how someone looks/acts they shouldn't be discriminated against as we are all equal in the eyes of God 2.1.2.2.3. We all have the qualities of God, made with a purpose 2.1.2.3. 'Love your neighbour as yourself' 2.1.2.3.1. Treat others as you would treat yourself 2.1.2.3.2. Be kind to others as they are a person too 2.1.2.4. 'Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God.' (Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount) 3. Bullying 3.1. solutions to bullying 3.1.1. make direct eye contact with the bully and calmly tell them to stop 3.1.2. if joking comes easy, try humour to shift the energy of the moment 3.1.3. dont try fight the bully, instead walk away 3.1.4. tell those in positions of responsibility and do not be upset if they insult you as a 'sneak'; this is how the bully tries to control the victim rather than lose control 3.2. effects of bullying 3.2.1. victims tend to victimise others (abusers abuse) leading to a 'vicious cycle' of abuse. 3.2.2. bullying prevents people's flourishing or experiencing wellbeing as they lose confidence 3.2.3. bullying can result in self harm or suicide 3.3. types of bullying 3.3.1. school 3.3.2. workplace 3.3.3. physical 3.3.3.1. intimidation through violence 3.3.4. verbal 3.3.4.1. intimidation through threatening or insulting someone 3.3.5. cyber 3.3.5.1. bullying online; without a face-to-face encounter it is easier to be vicious 3.3.6. trolling 3.3.6.1. upsetting people by posting messages so as to provoke a reaction 3.4. reasons for bullying 3.4.1. stress + trauma, low self-esteem; previously victimised; limited education