Gary Russell

NON DENOMINATIONAL PRACTICE, WITHOUT RESPECT TO Discrimination. Discrimination – in all its possible forms and expressions – is one of the most common forms of human rights violations and abuse. It affects millions of people everyday and it is one of the most difficult to recognize. Discrimination, and intolerance, are closely related concepts. Intolerance is a lack of respect for practices or beliefs other than one's own. It also involves the rejection of people whom we perceive as different, for example members of a social or ethnic group other than ours, or people who are different in political or sexual orientation. Intolerance can manifest itself in a wide range of actions, from avoidance, through hate speech to physical injury or even murder.

Discrimination occurs when people are treated less favorably than other people in a comparable situation only because they belong, or are perceived to belong, to a certain group or category of people. People may be discriminated against because of their age, disability, ethnicity, origin, political belief, race, religion, sex or gender, sexual orientation, language, culture and on many other grounds. Discrimination, which is often the result of prejudices people hold, makes people powerless, impedes them from becoming active citizens, inhibits their thinking, attitudes, and freedom of expression and speech, restricts them from developing their skills and, in many situations, from accessing work, health services, education or accommodation. A Christian environment does not condone these practices.