“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is nearly 70 years old. The idea behind it, however, is much older. But what has mankind made of these high ideals? Have the thirty articles of the charter been implemented? nac.today takes a look.
With Resolution 217 A-(III) the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a foundational document for all peoples and all nations on 10 December 1948—a day which is now observed annually as Human Rights Day. The first two articles of the Declaration set out rights and responsibilities that should apply to all human beings: “(1) All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. (2) Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.” Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security, and the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. The articles speak out against slavery and the slave trade, against torture and discrimination. “All are equal before the law,” Article 7 declares. There are a total of 30 Articles with carefully chosen wording to reflect the serious nature of the content.
Ideals versus reality
And what has mankind made of the Declaration? Today there are numerous conflicts the world over. For many people the rights set out in Article 2 are a far cry from reality: “… without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.” Slavery, slave trade, oppression, and torture are not historical facts but are a sad reality in today’s world.
And what do Christians say?
From a Christian perspective, human rights are a requirement of the gospel. Jesus Christ links rules of a harmonious coexistence with salvation through God—in the Sermon on the Mount, for example. There are only a few chapters, but these really hit the mark, especially the beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.” These are not only strong statements that cry out against violence, these are the principles of a Christian life. And before Christians get upset about others, they should first of all observe their own principles.
The golden rule
In chapter 4.7.2 the Catechism of the New Apostolic Church refers to this moral principle: “To act in accordance with ‘God’s word’—that is the law—means above all to remain faithful to God and not worship idols. A person’s humbleness is demonstrated by his obedience toward God. On an interpersonal level, to ‘practise love’ means to respect and esteem others. Jesus Christ expresses this fundamental requirement of the law in the Sermon on the Mount: ‘Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the prophets’ (Matthew 7: 12).
And in chapter 5.2.2 the Catechism states: “Apostle Paul considers the prescriptions concerning one’s fellow man to have been summarized into the commandment to love one’s neighbour (Romans 13: 8–10). This insight is based on the Lord’s statement that the double commandment of love encompasses ‘all the Law and the Prophets’ (Matthew 22: 37–40). Practised love for one’s neighbour in any form deserves high regard. The more it is exercised, the more distress will be alleviated, and the more harmoniously structured our coexistence will be.”
Website of the United Nations: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
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