TDA Religion and Human Rights

Religious attitudes to Human Rights
1. Christianity: St Paul wrote; 'Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.' This means the law should be obeyed because it is right not simply because it is the law. There are occasions when the law needs to be changed in the interest of human rights and justice. We should treat everyone equally because we are 'all made in the image of God.'
2. Islam: In Islam it states that Shari’ah law includes the protection of some human rights for example the life of all citizens in an Islamic country are considered sacred, (The Right to life)
What are Human Rights?
1. The UDHR consists of 30 articles or rights that all people should have. The United Nations created the UDHR in 1948 as an attempt to sop persecution such as WW2 happening again. Some religious leaders were involved in the creation of the UDHR alongside world leaders.
  1. Legal Rights vs Human Rights
    1. Legal Rights are rights that we have protected by law whereas Human Rights are rights that you are entitled to just because you are human. Not very country protects peoples human rights.
      1. Human Rights Act: The Human Rights Act was introduced in the UK in 2000 to protect everyone's human rights by law.
2. Children have an extra set of rights . These children rights are detailed in the CRC; the convention for the rights of the child. This is because children are more vulnerable and cannot stand up for their own human rights. Examples include ensuring there is care for disabled children.
How can we protect our human rights?
1. ChildLine was founded by Esther Rantzen in the 1980’s to provide a counselling service for children with problems, they can also pass on contact details for extra support.
2. The Citizens advice bureau has two main aims: To help individuals know their rights and responsibilities, to help people get justice. To make sure that everyone has the government support available
3. The Samaritans was setup in 1953 by a CoE vicar, its aim was to reduce the number of suicides by providing a service for adults to talk to. It now has 200 branches nationwide. They take their name from the Parable of the Good Samaritan
4. Pressure groups present the view points of a section of the community about a given topic which they feel strongly about, they present their views to government officials in a hope that it will change opinion.
  1. CND campaigns non-violently to rid the world of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction and to create genuine security for future generations. CND opposes all nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction: their development, manufacture, testing, deployment and use or threatened use by any country.
  2. Abortion Rights are a national organisation that believe that women should have control over their bodies. Their aim is that all women will be able to access free and safe abortions on demand rather than having to have permission from two doctors which is the current law. PRO CHOICE
  3. The Society for the Protection of the Unborn child aims to promote an understanding of the importance and value of human life from the point of conception. Although it is not a religious group, many of is members are Roman Catholic or Muslim. PRO LIFE
5. Protests allow campaigners to create a public rally of opinion with regard to a chosen topic, most protests start and remain calm only a small group become violent, for example the student riots in London which started as a peaceful protest but quickly escalated. People use letters, petitions, marches, the media to make their protest heard.
  1. As a form of protest religious believers may pray about the situation, discuss the issue with religious leaders, use non-violent means or organise a religious parade
    1. An example of Christianity responding to an issue through protest would be Christians in America protesting outside a theatre showing a play in which Jesus was depicted as being ‘The King of the gays’ and an alcoholic.
    2. A Danish cartoonist published several cartoons featuring The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), this is strictly forbidden in Islam as it is a sign of disrespect. Muslims all over the world carried out protests and demonstrations in response.
  2. Amnesty International are a non-religious organisation set up in 1961 to promote human rights in parts of the world where they were not being met. They campaigned for the release of people who have been imprisoned because of their political, religious or ethical beliefs, Amnesty also try to change political views
People who fight for Human Rights
1. Gandhi was Hindu and believed in ahimsa (non-violence) but he wanted to free India from the oppression of British rule as part of the Commonwealth. He used his education and training as a lawyer to protest using the political systems as well as leading marches
2. Martin Luther King Jnr was a Baptist Minister in America, he campaigned to end segregation between black and white citizens through non-violent ways, he performed sit-in, marches and speeches to promote his cause.
Religious views
1. Christian Views on Human Rights “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (St Paul, Romans 13:1) This means that Christians believe that they should obey the law, because God allowed it to be put in place. However, they also believe that when the law is shown to be wrong – then they should campaign peacefully to change it. “God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them.” (Genesis 1:27) Christians believe that humans have rights because God loves all people and created them in his own image, so we should treat all people with respect. “If one part of the body suffers, every part suffers with it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26) Christians believe that if one Christian (or human being) is suffering in the world, then all other Christians are affected. Therefore, they believe they should support organisations like Amnesty Internat
  1. Therefore, they believe they should support organisations like Amnesty International and Greenpeace because they are working to ensure that everyone everywhere gets their human rights. “Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Mark 12: 31) “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” (Matthew 7:12) This is the Golden Rule for Christians. They should defend human rights because they should treat others as they would wish to be treated themselves.
    1. On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
      1. But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10: 25-37) Christians are inspired by the story of the Good Samaritan to support organisations that look after the human rights of others. The Samaritans organisation was set up by a Church of England Vicar to try and help those who were contemplating taking their own lives.
2. Muslim Views on Human Rights “Truly God loves those who are just.” (Qur’an 49:9) • Islam has its own set of human rights. Islam is based on the above verse. The Cairo Declaration of Human Rights (CDHRI) was adopted by most Muslim countries in 1990. Muslim law is based on the Qur’an and is called Shari’ah Law. Shari’ah Law includes protecting some human rights. For example, the life and property of all citizens of a Muslim country are considered sacred. Also, insulting or making fun of others is forbidden. “No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.” (Hadith) This is the Muslim version of the Golden Rule. Many Muslim believers will support human rights because they believe they should treat others as they wish to be treated. “And whoever does good works, whether male or female, and he or she is a believer, such will enter paradise.” (Qur’an 4:124) It is a Muslim duty to make provision for those who are less fortunate than themselves.

Next up

TDA Religion and Human Rights

Description

Resource summary

Similar

	Created by Jaime Preston about 8 years ago