Equality in Christianity
What are Human Rights?
Human rights are a global agreement adopted by the United Nations in 1948. They were created to protect
future generations from a repeat of WW2, aiming to prevent the horrors that happened there.
They are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from birth until death.
There are now 193 countries in the UN that by law must follow these guidelines.
The main Human Rights:
1. All human beings are free and equal 8. Rights to marry and have family
2. No discrimination 9. Right to own things
3. Right to life 10. Freedom of thought and religion
4. No slavery 11. Freedom of opinion and expression
5. No torture and inhuman treatment 12. Right of social service (food, clothing, housing, medical care)
6. Innocent until proven guilty 13. Right to education
17. Right to privacy 14. Human rights can’t be taken away
The European Convention on Human
• The right to liberty and security
Rights (ECHR) is an international treaty
• Prohibition of discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, religion
from 1953. It applies to Europe. It is
• The right to life
upheld by the Human Rights Act of
• Freedom of expression
1998 by the U.K. The ECHR defines a
• The right to education
range of obligations, rights, freedoms
• The right to respect for private and family life.
and prohibitions.
Christians believe that all human life is sacred, unique and God-given. They also believe that all humans are
made in the image of God.
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in Christians believe this to mean that many of the
our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the characteristics of God are reflected in humans.
sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all As a result, Christians believe that all human life
the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move should be treated with respect and dignity. This
along the ground. - Genesis 1:26-27 (Imago Dei) would also disproves vegetarians/vegan activists,
Situation Ethics
Fletcher claimed that all other rules, and other moral demands like human rights, can be overridden if this
is the more loving thing to do. For this reason, situation ethics could be seen to be in support of some human
rights in some situations, but overall situation ethics does not accept any absolute moral standards such as
human rights.
For instance, Joseph Fletcher supported the bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, even
though it was contrary to the rights of all the innocent civilians killed, because it
brought about the end of the Second World War. He argued that the greater
good of ending the war was worth more than the lives lost in the bombing.
, Christian responses to Human Rights
Christians will try to do all they can to promote human rights. They also try to treat each and every person
with agape - unconditional and self-giving love.
Christians may support human rights as many of them 1. Do not have any other gods.
correlate to their own teachings from the 10 2. Do not make or worship idols.
commandments.
3. Do not disrespect or misuse God’s name.
Love your neighbour as yourself (Agapeistic calculus) 4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.
(Matthew 22:39) 5. Honour your mother and father.
Love your enemies 6. Do not commit murder.
(Matthew 5: 44) 7. Do not commit adultery.
8. Do not steal.
Give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven
(Matthew 19: 21) 9. Do not tell lies
10. Do not be envious of others.
These Christian values are the basis of many of today’s
human rights provisions. (Exodus 20)
Christians support human rights because:
• Life is holy and belongs to God (the ‘sanctity of life’)
• Everyone is made in the image of God and should be treated equally
• Freedom of speech, assembly and worship are an essential part of Christianity.
Divergent Responses
Many people in the UK, including Christians, argue that Christian values should not be imposed on the
secular government. Indeed, in the Bible, St Paul tells Christians that they should obey political leaders
because authority has been given to them by God (Romans 13: 1).
The Christian Church in the UK supports human rights laws therefore. However, within church practice
there is a degree of diversity based on the interpretation of teachings made in the Bible:
- The Catholic Church does not allow female priests
- Some Protestant churches do not allow female or homosexual priests
- Some churches overseas, particularly in Africa, are opposed to certain rights for homosexuals.
Non – religious arguments Christian Responses
Within atheism there is a range of views based on the Christians would affirm the good work of atheists and
idea that, if there is no God, a person must decide for Humanists. For example, the Church of England has
themselves how to treat other human beings. Most affirmed the ‘positive beliefs’ held within Humanism.
atheists would decide to do the most helpful or
beneficial thing for society.
Humanists are committed to the protection and However, the Church of England has also highlighted
promotion of human rights, as representative of shared ‘fundamental differences in purpose and outlook’ The
human needs. They are often involved in campaigns for purpose of the Church is primarily about the work of
equal rights for homosexuals and ethnic minorities, and God: Christians obey the teachings of the Bible because
support for people living in poor nations. they believe that God loves and cares for humanity and
calls Christians to join with him in bringing healing.
What are Human Rights?
Human rights are a global agreement adopted by the United Nations in 1948. They were created to protect
future generations from a repeat of WW2, aiming to prevent the horrors that happened there.
They are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from birth until death.
There are now 193 countries in the UN that by law must follow these guidelines.
The main Human Rights:
1. All human beings are free and equal 8. Rights to marry and have family
2. No discrimination 9. Right to own things
3. Right to life 10. Freedom of thought and religion
4. No slavery 11. Freedom of opinion and expression
5. No torture and inhuman treatment 12. Right of social service (food, clothing, housing, medical care)
6. Innocent until proven guilty 13. Right to education
17. Right to privacy 14. Human rights can’t be taken away
The European Convention on Human
• The right to liberty and security
Rights (ECHR) is an international treaty
• Prohibition of discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, religion
from 1953. It applies to Europe. It is
• The right to life
upheld by the Human Rights Act of
• Freedom of expression
1998 by the U.K. The ECHR defines a
• The right to education
range of obligations, rights, freedoms
• The right to respect for private and family life.
and prohibitions.
Christians believe that all human life is sacred, unique and God-given. They also believe that all humans are
made in the image of God.
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in Christians believe this to mean that many of the
our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the characteristics of God are reflected in humans.
sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all As a result, Christians believe that all human life
the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move should be treated with respect and dignity. This
along the ground. - Genesis 1:26-27 (Imago Dei) would also disproves vegetarians/vegan activists,
Situation Ethics
Fletcher claimed that all other rules, and other moral demands like human rights, can be overridden if this
is the more loving thing to do. For this reason, situation ethics could be seen to be in support of some human
rights in some situations, but overall situation ethics does not accept any absolute moral standards such as
human rights.
For instance, Joseph Fletcher supported the bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, even
though it was contrary to the rights of all the innocent civilians killed, because it
brought about the end of the Second World War. He argued that the greater
good of ending the war was worth more than the lives lost in the bombing.
, Christian responses to Human Rights
Christians will try to do all they can to promote human rights. They also try to treat each and every person
with agape - unconditional and self-giving love.
Christians may support human rights as many of them 1. Do not have any other gods.
correlate to their own teachings from the 10 2. Do not make or worship idols.
commandments.
3. Do not disrespect or misuse God’s name.
Love your neighbour as yourself (Agapeistic calculus) 4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.
(Matthew 22:39) 5. Honour your mother and father.
Love your enemies 6. Do not commit murder.
(Matthew 5: 44) 7. Do not commit adultery.
8. Do not steal.
Give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven
(Matthew 19: 21) 9. Do not tell lies
10. Do not be envious of others.
These Christian values are the basis of many of today’s
human rights provisions. (Exodus 20)
Christians support human rights because:
• Life is holy and belongs to God (the ‘sanctity of life’)
• Everyone is made in the image of God and should be treated equally
• Freedom of speech, assembly and worship are an essential part of Christianity.
Divergent Responses
Many people in the UK, including Christians, argue that Christian values should not be imposed on the
secular government. Indeed, in the Bible, St Paul tells Christians that they should obey political leaders
because authority has been given to them by God (Romans 13: 1).
The Christian Church in the UK supports human rights laws therefore. However, within church practice
there is a degree of diversity based on the interpretation of teachings made in the Bible:
- The Catholic Church does not allow female priests
- Some Protestant churches do not allow female or homosexual priests
- Some churches overseas, particularly in Africa, are opposed to certain rights for homosexuals.
Non – religious arguments Christian Responses
Within atheism there is a range of views based on the Christians would affirm the good work of atheists and
idea that, if there is no God, a person must decide for Humanists. For example, the Church of England has
themselves how to treat other human beings. Most affirmed the ‘positive beliefs’ held within Humanism.
atheists would decide to do the most helpful or
beneficial thing for society.
Humanists are committed to the protection and However, the Church of England has also highlighted
promotion of human rights, as representative of shared ‘fundamental differences in purpose and outlook’ The
human needs. They are often involved in campaigns for purpose of the Church is primarily about the work of
equal rights for homosexuals and ethnic minorities, and God: Christians obey the teachings of the Bible because
support for people living in poor nations. they believe that God loves and cares for humanity and
calls Christians to join with him in bringing healing.
