Does Human Rights Need God?

Does Human Rights Need God?

Author: Elizabeth M. Bucar

Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing

Published: 2005-08-31

Total Pages: 426

ISBN-13: 9780802829054

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When the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was drafted in 1945, French Catholic philosopher Jacques Maritain observed, "We agree on these rights, providing we are not asked why. With the 'why,' the dispute begins." The world since then has continued to agree to disagree, fearing that an open discussion of the divergent rationales for human rights would undermine the consensus of the Declaration. Is it possible, however, that current failures to protect human rights may stem from this tacit agreement to avoid addressing the underpinnings of human rights? This consequential volume presents leading scholars, activists, and officials from four continents who dare to discuss the "why" behind human rights. Appraising the current situation from diverse religious perspectives -- Jewish, Protestant, Orthodox, Muslim, Confucian, and secular humanist -- the contributors openly address the question whether God is a necessary part of human rights. Despite their widely varying commitments and approaches, the authors affirm that an investigation into the "why" of human rights need not devolve into irreconcilable conflict. Contributors: Khaled Abou El Fadl Barbra Barnett Elizabeth M. Bucar Jean Bethke Elshtain Robert P. George Vigen Guroian Louis Henkin Courtney W. Howland David Novak Sari Nusseibeh Martin Palouš Robert A. Seiple Max L. Stackhouse Charles Villa-Vicencio Anthony C. Yu


Book Synopsis Does Human Rights Need God? by : Elizabeth M. Bucar

Download or read book Does Human Rights Need God? written by Elizabeth M. Bucar and published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. This book was released on 2005-08-31 with total page 426 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was drafted in 1945, French Catholic philosopher Jacques Maritain observed, "We agree on these rights, providing we are not asked why. With the 'why,' the dispute begins." The world since then has continued to agree to disagree, fearing that an open discussion of the divergent rationales for human rights would undermine the consensus of the Declaration. Is it possible, however, that current failures to protect human rights may stem from this tacit agreement to avoid addressing the underpinnings of human rights? This consequential volume presents leading scholars, activists, and officials from four continents who dare to discuss the "why" behind human rights. Appraising the current situation from diverse religious perspectives -- Jewish, Protestant, Orthodox, Muslim, Confucian, and secular humanist -- the contributors openly address the question whether God is a necessary part of human rights. Despite their widely varying commitments and approaches, the authors affirm that an investigation into the "why" of human rights need not devolve into irreconcilable conflict. Contributors: Khaled Abou El Fadl Barbra Barnett Elizabeth M. Bucar Jean Bethke Elshtain Robert P. George Vigen Guroian Louis Henkin Courtney W. Howland David Novak Sari Nusseibeh Martin Palouš Robert A. Seiple Max L. Stackhouse Charles Villa-Vicencio Anthony C. Yu

Does God Believe in Human Rights?

Does God Believe in Human Rights?

Author: Nazila Ghanea-Hercock

Publisher: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 296

ISBN-13: 9004152547

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Where can religions find sources of legitimacy for human rights? How do, and how should, religious leaders and communities respond to human rights as defined in modern International Law? When religious precepts contradict human rights standards - for example in relation to freedom of expression or in relation to punishments - which should trump the other, and why? Can human rights and religious teachings be interpreted in a manner which brings reconciliation closer? Do the modern concept and system of human rights undermine the very vision of society that religions aim to impart? Is a reference to God in the discussion of human rights misplaced? Do human fallibilities with respect to interpretation, judicial reasoning and the understanding of human oneness and dignity provide the key to the undeniable and sometimes devastating conflicts that have arisen between, and within, religions and the human rights movement? In this volume, academics and lawyers tackle these most difficult questions head-on, with candour and creativity, and the collection is rendered unique by the further contributions of a remarkable range of other professionals, including senior religious leaders and representatives, journalists, diplomats and civil servants, both national and international. Most notably, the contributors do not shy away from the boldest question of all - summed up in the book's title. The thoroughly edited and revised papers which make up this collection were originally prepared for a ground-breaking conference organised by the Clemens Nathan Research Centre, the University of London Institute of Commonwealth Studies and Martinus Nijhoff/Brill.


Book Synopsis Does God Believe in Human Rights? by : Nazila Ghanea-Hercock

Download or read book Does God Believe in Human Rights? written by Nazila Ghanea-Hercock and published by Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. This book was released on 2007 with total page 296 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Where can religions find sources of legitimacy for human rights? How do, and how should, religious leaders and communities respond to human rights as defined in modern International Law? When religious precepts contradict human rights standards - for example in relation to freedom of expression or in relation to punishments - which should trump the other, and why? Can human rights and religious teachings be interpreted in a manner which brings reconciliation closer? Do the modern concept and system of human rights undermine the very vision of society that religions aim to impart? Is a reference to God in the discussion of human rights misplaced? Do human fallibilities with respect to interpretation, judicial reasoning and the understanding of human oneness and dignity provide the key to the undeniable and sometimes devastating conflicts that have arisen between, and within, religions and the human rights movement? In this volume, academics and lawyers tackle these most difficult questions head-on, with candour and creativity, and the collection is rendered unique by the further contributions of a remarkable range of other professionals, including senior religious leaders and representatives, journalists, diplomats and civil servants, both national and international. Most notably, the contributors do not shy away from the boldest question of all - summed up in the book's title. The thoroughly edited and revised papers which make up this collection were originally prepared for a ground-breaking conference organised by the Clemens Nathan Research Centre, the University of London Institute of Commonwealth Studies and Martinus Nijhoff/Brill.

If God Were a Human Rights Activist

If God Were a Human Rights Activist

Author: Boaventura de Sousa Santos

Publisher: Stanford University Press

Published: 2015-04-29

Total Pages: 153

ISBN-13: 0804795037

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We live in a time when the most appalling social injustices and unjust human sufferings no longer seem to generate the moral indignation and the political will needed both to combat them effectively and to create a more just and fair society. If God Were a Human Rights Activist aims to strengthen the organization and the determination of all those who have not given up the struggle for a better society, and specifically those that have done so under the banner of human rights. It discusses the challenges to human rights arising from religious movements and political theologies that claim the presence of religion in the public sphere. Increasingly globalized, such movements and the theologies sustaining them promote discourses of human dignity that rival, and often contradict, the one underlying secular human rights. Conventional or hegemonic human rights thinking lacks the necessary theoretical and analytical tools to position itself in relation to such movements and theologies; even worse, it does not understand the importance of doing so. It applies the same abstract recipe across the board, hoping that thereby the nature of alternative discourses and ideologies will be reduced to local specificities with no impact on the universal canon of human rights. As this strategy proves increasingly lacking, this book aims to demonstrate that only a counter-hegemonic conception of human rights can adequately face such challenges.


Book Synopsis If God Were a Human Rights Activist by : Boaventura de Sousa Santos

Download or read book If God Were a Human Rights Activist written by Boaventura de Sousa Santos and published by Stanford University Press. This book was released on 2015-04-29 with total page 153 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: We live in a time when the most appalling social injustices and unjust human sufferings no longer seem to generate the moral indignation and the political will needed both to combat them effectively and to create a more just and fair society. If God Were a Human Rights Activist aims to strengthen the organization and the determination of all those who have not given up the struggle for a better society, and specifically those that have done so under the banner of human rights. It discusses the challenges to human rights arising from religious movements and political theologies that claim the presence of religion in the public sphere. Increasingly globalized, such movements and the theologies sustaining them promote discourses of human dignity that rival, and often contradict, the one underlying secular human rights. Conventional or hegemonic human rights thinking lacks the necessary theoretical and analytical tools to position itself in relation to such movements and theologies; even worse, it does not understand the importance of doing so. It applies the same abstract recipe across the board, hoping that thereby the nature of alternative discourses and ideologies will be reduced to local specificities with no impact on the universal canon of human rights. As this strategy proves increasingly lacking, this book aims to demonstrate that only a counter-hegemonic conception of human rights can adequately face such challenges.

Freeing God's Children

Freeing God's Children

Author: Allen D. Hertzke

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 446

ISBN-13: 9780742508040

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Given unprecedented insider access, author Allen D. Hertzke charts the rise of the new faith-based movement for global human rights and tells the compelling story of the personalities and forces, clashes and compromises, strategies and protests that shape it. In doing so, Hertzke shows that by raising issues--such as global religious persecution, Sudanese atrocities, North Korean gulags, and sex trafficking--the movement is impacting foreign policy around the world.


Book Synopsis Freeing God's Children by : Allen D. Hertzke

Download or read book Freeing God's Children written by Allen D. Hertzke and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2004 with total page 446 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Given unprecedented insider access, author Allen D. Hertzke charts the rise of the new faith-based movement for global human rights and tells the compelling story of the personalities and forces, clashes and compromises, strategies and protests that shape it. In doing so, Hertzke shows that by raising issues--such as global religious persecution, Sudanese atrocities, North Korean gulags, and sex trafficking--the movement is impacting foreign policy around the world.

The Reason for God

The Reason for God

Author: Timothy Keller

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 2008-02-14

Total Pages: 352

ISBN-13: 1101217650

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A New York Times bestseller people can believe in—by "a pioneer of the new urban Christians" (Christianity Today) and the "C.S. Lewis for the 21st century" (Newsweek). Timothy Keller, the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, addresses the frequent doubts that skeptics, and even ardent believers, have about religion. Using literature, philosophy, real-life conversations, and potent reasoning, Keller explains how the belief in a Christian God is, in fact, a sound and rational one. To true believers he offers a solid platform on which to stand their ground against the backlash to religion created by the Age of Skepticism. And to skeptics, atheists, and agnostics, he provides a challenging argument for pursuing the reason for God.


Book Synopsis The Reason for God by : Timothy Keller

Download or read book The Reason for God written by Timothy Keller and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2008-02-14 with total page 352 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A New York Times bestseller people can believe in—by "a pioneer of the new urban Christians" (Christianity Today) and the "C.S. Lewis for the 21st century" (Newsweek). Timothy Keller, the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, addresses the frequent doubts that skeptics, and even ardent believers, have about religion. Using literature, philosophy, real-life conversations, and potent reasoning, Keller explains how the belief in a Christian God is, in fact, a sound and rational one. To true believers he offers a solid platform on which to stand their ground against the backlash to religion created by the Age of Skepticism. And to skeptics, atheists, and agnostics, he provides a challenging argument for pursuing the reason for God.

Christianity and Human Rights

Christianity and Human Rights

Author: John Witte, Jr

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2010-12-23

Total Pages: 403

ISBN-13: 1139494112

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Combining Jewish, Greek, and Roman teachings with the radical new teachings of Christ and St. Paul, Christianity helped to cultivate the cardinal ideas of dignity, equality, liberty and democracy that ground the modern human rights paradigm. Christianity also helped shape the law of public, private, penal, and procedural rights that anchor modern legal systems in the West and beyond. This collection of essays explores these Christian contributions to human rights through the perspectives of jurisprudence, theology, philosophy and history, and Christian contributions to the special rights claims of women, children, nature and the environment. The authors also address the church's own problems and failings with maintaining human rights ideals. With contributions from leading scholars, including a foreword by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, this book provides an authoritative treatment of how Christianity shaped human rights in the past, and how Christianity and human rights continue to challenge each other in modern times.


Book Synopsis Christianity and Human Rights by : John Witte, Jr

Download or read book Christianity and Human Rights written by John Witte, Jr and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2010-12-23 with total page 403 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Combining Jewish, Greek, and Roman teachings with the radical new teachings of Christ and St. Paul, Christianity helped to cultivate the cardinal ideas of dignity, equality, liberty and democracy that ground the modern human rights paradigm. Christianity also helped shape the law of public, private, penal, and procedural rights that anchor modern legal systems in the West and beyond. This collection of essays explores these Christian contributions to human rights through the perspectives of jurisprudence, theology, philosophy and history, and Christian contributions to the special rights claims of women, children, nature and the environment. The authors also address the church's own problems and failings with maintaining human rights ideals. With contributions from leading scholars, including a foreword by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, this book provides an authoritative treatment of how Christianity shaped human rights in the past, and how Christianity and human rights continue to challenge each other in modern times.

Human Rights and the Image of God

Human Rights and the Image of God

Author: Roger Ruston

Publisher:

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 324

ISBN-13:

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An ideal textbook for this rapidly expanding area of study. Fills a gap in the market for a well balanced critical analysis of the relationship between Christian theology and human rights.


Book Synopsis Human Rights and the Image of God by : Roger Ruston

Download or read book Human Rights and the Image of God written by Roger Ruston and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 324 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An ideal textbook for this rapidly expanding area of study. Fills a gap in the market for a well balanced critical analysis of the relationship between Christian theology and human rights.

The Ten Commandments and Human Rights

The Ten Commandments and Human Rights

Author: Walter J. Harrelson

Publisher: Mercer University Press

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 212

ISBN-13: 9780865545427

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The Ten Commandments and Human Rights sets out to evaluate the importance of the Ten Commandments for the life of faith today. The general thesis is that the commandments are immensely important not only for Jews and Christians, but for all persons seeking to find or to reaffirm a moral foundation for their life and for the life of their children, their religious community, and their society.The fact that the commandments are put negatively is immensely important, for it means that the community that claims these commandments and builds on them has to work out for itself the positive import of not having other gods, not worshipping idols, not profaning the sabbath, not killing and stealing, and committing adultery. Put negatively, these commitments become the groundwork for a humanly free and responsible search for the will of God for individual, family, and corporate life today and in any day.It is true that the commandments originate in ancient Israel, are central to the faith of prophets, priests, and sages, and are claimed and made foundational by Jesus for the Christian community. But these commandments also share much with, for example, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which has been presented by the United Nations for adoption by all the nations of earth.The Ten Commandments and Human Rights seeks to show how to avoid moralistic use of the Ten Commandments in religious life today while still affirming that there are absolutely foundational prohibitions that can and must guide the moral life of all peoples. The Ten Commandments need very little revision in order to become such a foundation for a free and responsible life today.


Book Synopsis The Ten Commandments and Human Rights by : Walter J. Harrelson

Download or read book The Ten Commandments and Human Rights written by Walter J. Harrelson and published by Mercer University Press. This book was released on 1997 with total page 212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Ten Commandments and Human Rights sets out to evaluate the importance of the Ten Commandments for the life of faith today. The general thesis is that the commandments are immensely important not only for Jews and Christians, but for all persons seeking to find or to reaffirm a moral foundation for their life and for the life of their children, their religious community, and their society.The fact that the commandments are put negatively is immensely important, for it means that the community that claims these commandments and builds on them has to work out for itself the positive import of not having other gods, not worshipping idols, not profaning the sabbath, not killing and stealing, and committing adultery. Put negatively, these commitments become the groundwork for a humanly free and responsible search for the will of God for individual, family, and corporate life today and in any day.It is true that the commandments originate in ancient Israel, are central to the faith of prophets, priests, and sages, and are claimed and made foundational by Jesus for the Christian community. But these commandments also share much with, for example, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which has been presented by the United Nations for adoption by all the nations of earth.The Ten Commandments and Human Rights seeks to show how to avoid moralistic use of the Ten Commandments in religious life today while still affirming that there are absolutely foundational prohibitions that can and must guide the moral life of all peoples. The Ten Commandments need very little revision in order to become such a foundation for a free and responsible life today.

The Theory of Morality

The Theory of Morality

Author: Alan Donagan

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Published: 2014-12-10

Total Pages: 295

ISBN-13: 022622841X

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"Let us . . . nominate this the most important theoretical work on ethical or moral theory since John Rawls's Theory of Justice. If you have philosophical inclinations and want a good workout, this conscientious scrutiny of moral assumptions and expressions will be most rewarding. Donagan explores ways of acting in the Hebrew-Christian context, examines them in the light of natural law and rational theories, and proposes that formal patterns for conduct can emerge. All this is tightly reasoned, the argument is packed, but the language is clear."—Christian Century "The man value of this book seems to me to be that it shows the force of the Hebrew-Christian moral tradition in the hands of a creative philosopher. Throughout the book, one cannot but feel that a serious philosopher is trying to come to terms with his religious-moral background and to defend it against the prevailing secular utilitarian position which seems to dominate academic philosophy."—Bernard Gert, Journal of Medicine and Philosophy


Book Synopsis The Theory of Morality by : Alan Donagan

Download or read book The Theory of Morality written by Alan Donagan and published by University of Chicago Press. This book was released on 2014-12-10 with total page 295 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Let us . . . nominate this the most important theoretical work on ethical or moral theory since John Rawls's Theory of Justice. If you have philosophical inclinations and want a good workout, this conscientious scrutiny of moral assumptions and expressions will be most rewarding. Donagan explores ways of acting in the Hebrew-Christian context, examines them in the light of natural law and rational theories, and proposes that formal patterns for conduct can emerge. All this is tightly reasoned, the argument is packed, but the language is clear."—Christian Century "The man value of this book seems to me to be that it shows the force of the Hebrew-Christian moral tradition in the hands of a creative philosopher. Throughout the book, one cannot but feel that a serious philosopher is trying to come to terms with his religious-moral background and to defend it against the prevailing secular utilitarian position which seems to dominate academic philosophy."—Bernard Gert, Journal of Medicine and Philosophy

The Human Right

The Human Right

Author: Rice Broocks

Publisher: HarperChristian + ORM

Published: 2018-02-20

Total Pages: 321

ISBN-13: 0718093666

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Many Christians believe we need to choose between fighting injustice and communicating the good news of Jesus Christ. But what if failing to speak the truth is ultimately the greatest injustice of all? If we truly believe the human heart is the source of injustice and the gospel is the only real solution, shouldn’t sharing the gospel’s transforming truth be our highest priority? With his thoughtful, accessible style, Rice Broocks explores why knowing the gospel is, in fact, every person’s greatest right—and therefore the greatest justice issue of our time.Drawing on contemporary stories and rich historical sources, The Human Right answers the question, What is truth? frames evangelism as a human rights issue, explains why secularism lacks the foundation to ground human rights, gives evidence for the existence of the human soul, and describes how the Bible has shaped the modern world. The Human Right urges us persuasively toward a renewed conviction that our ultimate calling is to proclaim the gospel—the only truth that has the power to change our world, to change us, from the inside out.


Book Synopsis The Human Right by : Rice Broocks

Download or read book The Human Right written by Rice Broocks and published by HarperChristian + ORM. This book was released on 2018-02-20 with total page 321 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Many Christians believe we need to choose between fighting injustice and communicating the good news of Jesus Christ. But what if failing to speak the truth is ultimately the greatest injustice of all? If we truly believe the human heart is the source of injustice and the gospel is the only real solution, shouldn’t sharing the gospel’s transforming truth be our highest priority? With his thoughtful, accessible style, Rice Broocks explores why knowing the gospel is, in fact, every person’s greatest right—and therefore the greatest justice issue of our time.Drawing on contemporary stories and rich historical sources, The Human Right answers the question, What is truth? frames evangelism as a human rights issue, explains why secularism lacks the foundation to ground human rights, gives evidence for the existence of the human soul, and describes how the Bible has shaped the modern world. The Human Right urges us persuasively toward a renewed conviction that our ultimate calling is to proclaim the gospel—the only truth that has the power to change our world, to change us, from the inside out.