Lutherans examine human rights to seek a world free from violence

by Melissa Ramirez Cooper, ELCA News Service

To envision a world free from violence, about 25 Lutherans and
other Christians examined the origins and principles of the
"Universal Declaration of Human Rights" at an Oct. 30-31
consultation on human rights. The declaration was adopted Dec.
10, 1948, by the General Assembly of the United Nations; 2008
marks its 60th anniversary. Hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America's (ELCA) inter-unit task force for the Decade
for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence, the consultation offered
a series of case studies on the right to property and how
migration, corporate social responsibility and climate change
affect human rights. Other presentations included the public
church and peacemaking, advocacy and campaigns, women organizing
for human rights, exceptionalism in United States foreign policy
and its impact on human rights, and more.

"We hope that people in our congregations, synods and throughout
the church would become more familiar with what's in the
declaration," said Dennis W. Frado, director, Lutheran Office for
World Community, New York. He said Lutherans have been involved
in advocating for human rights since World War II. "It's part of
our background that calls us to be involved, and our belief that
each person is created in the image of God," said Frado. "The
consultation served to outline the many situations where human
rights are being violated or have the potential to be violated,
such as in climate change. What (role) does the international
community have in receiving people who are affected by climate
change?" he said.

Discussions produced some action steps and recommendations to be
compiled in a report, said the Rev. Ronald W. Duty, assistant
director for studies, ELCA Church in Society. "Among the
recommendations was the drafting of a message on human rights
tied to the (ELCA) social statement, 'For Peace in God's World,'"
he said. Papers presented at the consultation will be published
online in the February 2009 issue of the Journal of Lutheran
Ethics.