recognition of the
freedom, justice and peace in the world,
rights of all members of the
Whereas
the equal and inalienable
inherent dignity and of
human family is the foundation of
The
Universal
Declaration of
Human Rights
| 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. |
| Article One |
When you think of your experience of Jesus—in scripture, the
sacraments, in your prayer life, and in the tradition of the church:
—What suggests that we are all born free?
—What suggests that we are equal in dignity and rights?
sacraments, in your prayer life, and in the tradition of the church:
—What suggests that we are all born free?
—What suggests that we are equal in dignity and rights?
—Does Jesus ever appeal to reason or conscience?
In your view, does Article One of the Declaration:
—Emphasize rights but not duties?
—Value the individual above the community?
In your view, does Article One of the Declaration:
—Emphasize rights but not duties?
—Value the individual above the community?
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
| (continued from previous page) |
Seeing Christ in Human Rights
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| +++ Click here to comment+++ |
I've been thinking about the question: in what way can a specifically Anglican perspective
help us understand Article 1? I concur with the comments thus far which have been
focused on Christ in scriptures. But Article 1 is specifically about human beings endowed
with reason—reason which gives us our dignity as people. This is deeply Anglican; it is
reason which gives us the capacity for discernment, and to act with compassion in
relation to others. Reason is a gift and it is also our call to make use of it. To put this in
terms that human rights scholars might use, they often discuss the importance of
creating the social means for citizens in a given country to develop their capabilities.
Putting that back in church language, we can think in terms of creating structures that
allow people to "live into" their potential.
Then the Article goes on to add "conscience." "They are endowed with reason and
conscience." To have reason and conscience is to obtain dignity in community, for
calling on conscience requires thinking about a broader good. We tend to understand
concepts of a greater good in a longer-term, historic sense. We can't think about what a
good society will be without looking back on examples in the past, both those we want
to avoid and those we hold up as guides for ourselves. So I think adding conscience gets
us into thinking about tradition.
So I wonder what our Anglican tradition might specifically have to say to all of the
articles of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights? Perhaps we can take this up as
we go along.
+++ Click here to comment+++
help us understand Article 1? I concur with the comments thus far which have been
focused on Christ in scriptures. But Article 1 is specifically about human beings endowed
with reason—reason which gives us our dignity as people. This is deeply Anglican; it is
reason which gives us the capacity for discernment, and to act with compassion in
relation to others. Reason is a gift and it is also our call to make use of it. To put this in
terms that human rights scholars might use, they often discuss the importance of
creating the social means for citizens in a given country to develop their capabilities.
Putting that back in church language, we can think in terms of creating structures that
allow people to "live into" their potential.
Then the Article goes on to add "conscience." "They are endowed with reason and
conscience." To have reason and conscience is to obtain dignity in community, for
calling on conscience requires thinking about a broader good. We tend to understand
concepts of a greater good in a longer-term, historic sense. We can't think about what a
good society will be without looking back on examples in the past, both those we want
to avoid and those we hold up as guides for ourselves. So I think adding conscience gets
us into thinking about tradition.
So I wonder what our Anglican tradition might specifically have to say to all of the
articles of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights? Perhaps we can take this up as
we go along.
+++ Click here to comment+++
| Sarah Bania-Dobyns offered these comments: |
| Sarah Bania-Dobyns is on the editorial staff of Human Rights and Human Welfare. She studies governance of late medieval international polities and what has come be known as "international political theology." |
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John from Pennsylvania said...
In my opinion, the first sentence in Article One is the most powerful. I believe that “rights”
and “duties” go hand in hand. If we value the individual, we also equally value the
community composed of individuals. I do not think anyone can view our world events
without recognizing the dignity of each human being in our global community.
and “duties” go hand in hand. If we value the individual, we also equally value the
community composed of individuals. I do not think anyone can view our world events
without recognizing the dignity of each human being in our global community.
| John has done substantial work as both a professional and a volunteer to advocate the rights of people with disabilities. |
Donn Mitchell observed...
For American Episcopalians, Article One of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
sounds like "Christianity 101." For nearly two generations, every time a baptism has
occurred, all present have been asked to renew their own baptismal vows, with the final
question being, "Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the
dignity of every human being?"
sounds like "Christianity 101." For nearly two generations, every time a baptism has
occurred, all present have been asked to renew their own baptismal vows, with the final
question being, "Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the
dignity of every human being?"
But this liturgical correlation of baptism, human dignity, and human rights is not found in
the baptismal liturgies of the other provinces of the Anglican Communion. Perhaps it
should be.
the baptismal liturgies of the other provinces of the Anglican Communion. Perhaps it
should be.
| Donn Mitchell is the editor and publisher of The Anglican Examiner. |