This teaching is similar to ‘Love your enemies’. (Mathew 5:44). This again is teaching agape. From
this Christians should learn not to treat people differently because they do not like them. If people disobey this commandment then they are not treating people equally and are discriminating against them, therefore denying them of their human rights.
Jesus says ‘Do not judge and you will not be judged, because the judgements you give are the judgements you will get.’ (Mathew 7:1). This is related to the idea that it is important to help people in need. Do not show hatred towards certain people because of something they have done wrong. Do your best to help them and not judge because then if you yourself are put in the same situation others might help you.
A well-known teaching in the Bible is ‘I give you a new commandment. Love one another, as I have loved you.’ (John 13:34). This is an addition to the 10 commandments. Jesus loves everyone, treats them equally and does his best to show this love and help them. This quote teaches that Christians should love people in the same way, showing agape. This way people are not denied of their human rights.
Jesus said ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of the brothers of mine, you did for me.’ (Mathew 25:31-46). By making them happy, showing them love and respect, Christians believe they are doing the same to God. In everyday life Christians try to help those less fortunate than themselves. They remember what Jesus said. ‘Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends’. (John 15:13). This shows genuine action for those in need. When someone is in need, Christians should help him or her without thinking about the costs to himself. Just like Jesus who lay down his life to forgive us of our sins. Jesus is a great example to everyone of how a Christian’s life should be lead. Jesus was a selfless person. On the walk to Emmaus he walked beside people to encourage them to keep going. They did not know who he was and he did not tell them. He did not feel that it would make any difference because he believed he was no more important than the person he was walking alongside. Christians learn from this to help those in need without selfish reasons. When Jesus fed the five thousand he only had five loaves of bread and two fish. When provided with this food he did not give it to those who he felt deserved it more than the others because to him everyone deserved it equally. He did his best to ensure that everyone was treated equally. It is clear that Christians cannot perform miracles like Jesus but should try their very best to not treat some people better than others. Christians follow Jesus’ example and help everyone.
The parable of the Good Samaritan. (Luke 10:25-37). No matter who and what people are, learn to forgive them and help those in need. Help them in whatever way is possible because ‘Faith without action is dead’. (James 2:17). This means that it is good to be concerned with human rights and to believe it is wrong to deny people of them, but if nothing is done then that belief is not worth so much. Action needs to be taken to ensure people are given the right to dignity, freedom and respect. This does not mean acting in violent ways but simply telling people about what you think and what should be done to change what is happening.
The Church gives teachings about Human rights, which should be followed. Pope John XXIII taught ‘Each individual is truly a person with a nature that is endowed with intelligence and free will, and rights and duties…these rights and duties are universal and inviolable.’ Another teaching is that ‘No rights are possible without the basis guarantees for life, including the right to adequate food, guaranteed healthcare, to decent housing.’(World Council of Churches). This was probably based upon the Bible teaching ‘If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.’
Some Christians feel that it is necessary to go to extreme lengths to fight for human rights. ‘May Christ’s sacrifice give us the courage to offer our own bodies for justice and peace’. Oscar Romeo. As Jesus sacrificed his life for us, Christians should do the same. Not necessarily die but take action without selfish reasons. Mother Teresa agrees and says ‘Make us worthy Lord, to serve those throughout the world who live and die poor and hungry.’ Christians are taught to not judge people and look down upon them. If they have what is needed to make a difference, then they should try their best to help. Camilo Torres adds his own views. ‘Only by revolution, by changing the concrete conditions of our country, can we enable men to practise love for each other’. He teaches that action should be taken to ensure that people are not denied of their human rights. J. Robert Nelson follows on from that, saying that ‘Christians should secure, extend and enhance human freedoms.’ He teaches that Christians should ensure that people have the right to freedom in everyway.
All of these teachings mean that Christians are taught to be concerned with human rights. They can learn from Jesus, the Bible and many other people that by acting in the right ways they can give people the freedom of speech, the right to basic guarantees of life, to self-determination and cultural identity, to participate in decision-making within the community, to dissent, to personal dignity and to religious freedom.
