Observation

This question was well attempted by many candidates. Though candidates gave their own interpretation and version of what they understood discrimination to be in contrast to how James put it. They were relating about discrimination in terms of tribes, race and sex rather than the way James captured it in the Bible. Candidates performed above average in this question. Candidates were expected to list out points such as;

James’ reasons for calling on Christians to avoid discrimination(James 2:1-13)
1. James in his teaching on impartiality advised Christians to keep the royal law.
2. Christians therefore need to love one another, in order to avoid partiality.
3. To James, being discriminatory is a sin. Therefore, anyone who fails to love his neighbour becomes a sinner.
4. To him, a sinner is a breaker of the law and whoever fails in one is guilty of breaking all the commandments.
5. James observed that failure to love one another implies being partial, unjust and treating people unfairly.
6. He then warned Christians to avoid class distinctions amongst themselves by not looking down upon the poor and honouring the rich
7. He said Christians should cease using physical appearance like dressing in judging and recognising people at occasions.
8. James continued that if the rich is honoured whiles the poor is dishonoured then Christians were becoming biased in their judgements.
9. For the poor in the world were chosen by God and made rich in faith to be the heirs of the kingdom.
10. The rich often blasphemed against the Lord and were fond of dragging the poor to court where they obtained no justice.
11.  Christians are encouraged to speak and act as people who would be judged by the law.
12.  Judgement is without mercy for those who do not show mercy/ Mercy triumphs over judgement.
13. James asked for love for one another in order to promote peaceful coexistence and harmony in the church.

Why people discriminate against one another

i.          Educational status
ii.         Family backgrounds
iii.        Cultural differences
iv.        Social structure                                              
v.         Prejudice
vi.        Ethnocentrism/tribalism/Racism