Human Rights and Living Faith

Human Rights. . .

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Fifty years ago on December 10, 1948 Canada and all the other UN members adopted a Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We observe that date as Human Rights Day. The Declaration was a way for the Western world to respond to the inhumane use of power in World War II and the Holocaust. It developed out of the desire to protect human rights and prevent such tragic abuses from ever happening again. The Declaration is not law and cannot be used to force governments to protect their citizens. As John Humphrey, a Canadian who helped write the Declaration said, "The struggle for human rights has always and always will be a struggle against authority."

As Canadians we are still struggling to protect all our citizens from abuse of their rights. As followers of Jesus, Canadian Presbyterians are challenged to focus on each other as children of God, nurturing relationships of harmony between individuals and within communities. Our partners around the world are very often living in situations where human rights are violated and relationships are in disharmony. We read in the 1998 International Affairs Committee General Assembly Report about the situation in three countries:

in Cuba, where people have not had the right to speak freely about the government or to protest peacefully;
in India where, despite legislation against the ancient caste system, systematic discrimination continues to violate the rights of millions of people;
in Nigeria where military rule has led the country into turmoil with virtually no protection of human rights.

. . .And

Similar situations of human rights violations are found in the countries of our other partners. For example Ken Kim, one of our Church's overseas staff, wrote this about Guatemala: "The nation continues to suffer under the state of impunity where criminals can act without fear of legal repercussions. Murders, kidnappings and other acts of common delinquency have been rising and the lucrative business of drug trafficking and the stolen automobile trade makes the headlines daily." Members of our partner church, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Guatemala, have been among the victims of threats, violence, kidnapping, and murder.

Biblical Reflections

How did Jesus speak about his faith? Read the following passages and discuss how they are statements of faith. What can you discern about Jesus' beliefs from these passages?

Matthew 5:3-12
This is Jesus' series of statements known as the Beatitudes. Taken together could these statements describe Jesus' beliefs about life with and without God? (See also Luke 6:20-23.)

Matthew 13:53-58
This is Jesus' reading of Isaiah 61:1-2 in the synagogue. Might he be saying that this is what he believes his life in God is all about? (See also Luke 4:16-21, Mark 6:1-6)

What other statements of beliefs come to mind from the Old Testament? Jesus' ministry? From the early church?

Living

Create a Creed or Statement of Faith

A creed is a statement of fundamental beliefs. The Declaration of Human Rights is a universally agreed upon statement of beliefs about individuals' basic rights. In Christianity a creed attempts to describe or affirm basic beliefs of our faith, about our relationships with God and with God's creation. As Presbyterians we often hear or repeat the Apostles' Creed which is printed on the back of this brochure. Two other examples of statements of faith are also provided.

As a Christian think about your beliefs about the way you think people should be treating one another. What sorts of behaviour do you oppose? What sorts of behaviour do you believe in? As a Christian how do you think people should relate to one another: in our family relationships, in the community, globally? What biblical stories have helped you form these beliefs? Respond to these questions through the activity "We believe. . . "described below.

We believe...

Drawing on your Christian faith, express your beliefs as an individual, as a group, or as a congregation about how we should live faithfully with one another, with God, and with God's creation. You might do this by creating one of the following:

a) a written statement of your beliefs
b) a sculpture, a mural, a painting or poster
c) a quilt or banner
d) a song, prayer, or poem
e) a meditation using words, images, slides, and/or music.

Submit these before March 31, 1999 and we will share your creeds with others in our church. Send and direct inquiries to:

Creed Project, International Affairs Committee

50 Wynford Dr.
North York ON M3J 1J7
Telephone: 441-1111 Ext. 250, or 1-800-619-7301
Fax: 416-441-2825
gturner@presbyterian.ca

Faith

A Guatemalan Statement of Beliefs

It is not God's will that we should live in suffering, that God did not give us that destiny, but that [people] on earth have imposed this suffering, poverty, misery and discrimination on us...

We have understood that being a Christian means refusing to accept all the injustices which are committed against our people, refusing to accept the discrimination committed against a humble people who barely know what eating meat is but who are treated worse than horses...

We feel it is the duty of Christians to create the kingdom of God on earth among our [brothers and sisters]. . .

We don't need a king in a palace but a brother who lives with us. We don't need a leader to show us where God is, to say whether he exists or not, because, through our own conception of God, we know there is a God and that, as the father of us all, he does not wish even one of his children to die, or be unhappy, or have no joy in life.

A Statement of Christian Belief

God is always calling the church
to seek that justice in the world
which reflects the divine righteousness
revealed in the Bible.

God's justice is seen
when we deal fairly with each other
and strive to change customs and practices
that oppress and enslave others.

Justice involves protecting the rights of others.
It protests against everything that destroys
human dignity.

Justice requires concern for the poor of the world.
It seeks the best way to create
well-being in every society.
It is concerned about employment, education,
and health, as well as rights and responsibilities.

Justice seeks fairness in society.
It involves the protection of human beings,
concern for the victims of crime,
as well as offenders.
It requires fair laws justly administered,
courts and penal institutions that are just and humane.

Justice opposes prejudice in every form.
It rejects discrimination
on such grounds as race, sex, age, status,
or handicap.

Justice stands with our neighbours
in their struggle for dignity and respect
and demands the exercise of power for the common good.

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

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