The Anglican Examiner |
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Seeing
Christ
In
Human
Rights
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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The discussion poses the following questions:
When you think of your experience of Jesus—in scripture, tradition,
reason, and spiritual experience:
—How is Jesus' affirmation of servanthood different from the
“servitude” condemned by Article 4?
—What basis do we have for thinking that Jesus abhors slavery?
—What would cause us to think Jesus objects to commercial
trafficking in human beings?
When you think of your experience of Jesus—in scripture, tradition,
reason, and spiritual experience:
—How is Jesus' affirmation of servanthood different from the
“servitude” condemned by Article 4?
—What basis do we have for thinking that Jesus abhors slavery?
—What would cause us to think Jesus objects to commercial
trafficking in human beings?
| Throughout the current month, The Anglican Examiner's on-going discussion, "Seeing Christ in Human Rights," will focus on Article Four of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. |
| The text of Article Four reads: |
'Seeing Christ' Forum Continues Focus
On Article Four: Prohibition of Slavery
On Article Four: Prohibition of Slavery
No one shall be held in
slavery or servitude;
slavery and the slave trade
shall be prohibited in all
their forms.
slavery or servitude;
slavery and the slave trade
shall be prohibited in all
their forms.
A number of thoughtful Christians have already considered these
questions and posted their responses here. Readers of The Anglican
Examiner are invited to reflect on these comments and offer their own
insights and/or pose additional questions. Participate in "Seeing Christ
in Human Rights" here.
questions and posted their responses here. Readers of The Anglican
Examiner are invited to reflect on these comments and offer their own
insights and/or pose additional questions. Participate in "Seeing Christ
in Human Rights" here.
Report Documents IRD's
'Collateral Damage' In Africa
'Collateral Damage' In Africa
You can read Globalizing the
Culture Wars here.
Culture Wars here.
| William Wilberforce |
| Hannah More |
In the late 18th Century, two Church of England laypeople became
prominent in the movement to abolish slavery in the British Empire, a
successful effort that had significant implications for a similar
movement in the United States in the 19th Century.
prominent in the movement to abolish slavery in the British Empire, a
successful effort that had significant implications for a similar
movement in the United States in the 19th Century.
Through her writing, activism, and
philantrhopy, the playwright and
poet Hannah More became a key
figure in the Clapham Sect, which
included William Wilberforce.
philantrhopy, the playwright and
poet Hannah More became a key
figure in the Clapham Sect, which
included William Wilberforce.
Wilberforce led the Parliamentary
effort to ban the slave trade (1807)
and abolish slavery throughout the
empire (1833). Both had the
support of their bishop, Beilby
Porteus of London.
effort to ban the slave trade (1807)
and abolish slavery throughout the
empire (1833). Both had the
support of their bishop, Beilby
Porteus of London.
A report from the think tank,
Political Research Associates,
documents the effect on Africa
churches of the activities of the
Institute for Relgion and
Democracy (IRD).
Political Research Associates,
documents the effect on Africa
churches of the activities of the
Institute for Relgion and
Democracy (IRD).
New York Condemns IRD's
Assault on Religious Freedom
Assault on Religious Freedom
The resolution called for creation of a joint task force of
the Episcopal, Presbyterian, and United Methodist
churches to study the question. All three denominations
were “targeted for reform” by IRD more than 20 years
ago. All have subsequently spent millions in legal efforts
to prevent conservative dissidents from taking church
property with them when they declare a formal break
with the denomination.
the Episcopal, Presbyterian, and United Methodist
churches to study the question. All three denominations
were “targeted for reform” by IRD more than 20 years
ago. All have subsequently spent millions in legal efforts
to prevent conservative dissidents from taking church
property with them when they declare a formal break
with the denomination.
1) Assess the threat to religious freedom posed by the
activities of the IRD and related groups
2) Develop recommendations to mitigate such threats,
and
3) Ascertain the cost to the three denominations to
date of litigation to prevent the alienation of
church property and other assets.
activities of the IRD and related groups
2) Develop recommendations to mitigate such threats,
and
3) Ascertain the cost to the three denominations to
date of litigation to prevent the alienation of
church property and other assets.
The Nov. 13 convention of the Diocese of New York
passed a resolution on the Institute for Religion and
Democracy's negative impact on religious freedom.
passed a resolution on the Institute for Religion and
Democracy's negative impact on religious freedom.
The full text of the resolution, and its official explanation
follow:
follow:
RESOLVED, That the Diocese of New York affirms
the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of the free exercise
of religion, which includes the right of churches to
choose their own clerical and leaders according to
their own rules and criteria without interference from
governments, private citizens, or other religious
groups, and
the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of the free exercise
of religion, which includes the right of churches to
choose their own clerical and leaders according to
their own rules and criteria without interference from
governments, private citizens, or other religious
groups, and
RESOLVED, That the Diocese of New York
condemns those activities of the Institute on Religion
and Democracy (IRD) and related groups that have
sought to punish the Episcopal, Presbyterian, and
United Methodist denominations for leadership choices
with which they disagree through seizure of church
property and other assets entrusted to the community
for mission and ministry; and
condemns those activities of the Institute on Religion
and Democracy (IRD) and related groups that have
sought to punish the Episcopal, Presbyterian, and
United Methodist denominations for leadership choices
with which they disagree through seizure of church
property and other assets entrusted to the community
for mission and ministry; and
RESOLVED, That the Diocese calls upon the General
Convention of the Episcopal Church to authorize
creation of a joint task force of the affected
denominations to:
Convention of the Episcopal Church to authorize
creation of a joint task force of the affected
denominations to:
Explanation: For nearly 30 years, IRD has publicly stated
its goal of “reforming” the Episcopal, Presbyterian, and
United Methodist churches along “orthodox” lines, even
though it is not accountable to any of those churches.
Each denomination has produced films, documentaries,
and exposés about IRD’s damaging activities, but each
continues to treat the problem as internal discontent
rather than a coordinated assault on religious freedom.
This approach has resulted in costly litigation in all three
denominations. A joint task force is needed to share
information and develop common strategies to safeguard
the freedom and financial health of the three target
denominations.
its goal of “reforming” the Episcopal, Presbyterian, and
United Methodist churches along “orthodox” lines, even
though it is not accountable to any of those churches.
Each denomination has produced films, documentaries,
and exposés about IRD’s damaging activities, but each
continues to treat the problem as internal discontent
rather than a coordinated assault on religious freedom.
This approach has resulted in costly litigation in all three
denominations. A joint task force is needed to share
information and develop common strategies to safeguard
the freedom and financial health of the three target
denominations.