Can we find a divine foundation for the modern concept of human rights?
In short: While the 1948 United Nations declaration is a landmark of modern history, many wonder if the concept of human rights is merely a secular invention. Does the idea of inherent dignity have deeper roots in theology, or is it a product of recent legal movements?
Creating a global legal framework for human rights is often viewed as a major milestone of the contemporary age. Following the devastation of World War II, the 1948 United Nations declaration provided an unprecedented, internationally agreed benchmark for how individuals should be treated. However, the theoretical debate regarding the nature and basis of these rights often focuses on the 17th century as a starting point.
The Rt Revd Lord Harries of Pentregarth, the Gresham Professor of Divinity, explores whether these rights possess a sound theological basis. While the specific language of 'rights' was less prevalent before the 17th century, the underlying protections were embedded in older concepts of law and justice. For instance, laws prohibiting theft or physical harm inherently carry the idea that individuals have a right to property and bodily safety.
Central to this discussion is the concept of 'natural law'—the idea that our capacity for moral decision-making is part of our human nature, regardless of religious belief. While some modern philosophers dispute certain interpretations of natural law, Lord Harries maintains that a moral law exists, granting all humans the capacity to distinguish right from wrong. This suggests that human rights are not just legal constructs, but are tied to a moral imperative rooted in our classical and Christian past.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Does God Believe in Human Rights? [Pt 8] by Lord Harries, Gresham Professor of Divinity
- Also: Christianity and Public Life: Does God believe in Human Rights?
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