By Father ANTONIO MARIA ROSALES
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY was set by the United Nations in 1948, soon after the end of WW2, because of the unbelievable violations of basic human rights committed in the Holocaust and other effects of the war.
The PROCLAMATION spelled out what those rights are. They are basic to human life and dignity which is an affirmation of our belief that we are made "to the image and likeness of God," regardless of our personal beliefs and religious convictions or affiliations.
THE BASIS OF HUMAN RIGHTS IS SIMPLY OUR BEING HUMAN, AND FOR CHRISTIANS, THE BASIS IS FURTHER ENHANCED BY THE FACT THAT THE SON OF GOD BECAME MAN IN JESUS CHRIST, WHO REMINDED US THAT WE ARE BROTHERS AND SISTERS WITH GOD AS OUR FATHER, AND THAT WHATEVER WE DO TO OTHERS, ESPECIALLY TO THE POOR AND DEFENSELESS . . . WE DO TO HIM.
Inspite of the trolls of the government, violations of human rights is more widespread than ever, not only in the extrajudicial killings (EJK), but in the growing number of the poor that we have not seen before (people living in sidewalks, even with little children, the displacement of communities and indigenous peoples etc. because of militarization, insurgency, politics, degradation of our natural resources etc.).
THE TRAINING FOR RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS BEGINS IN THE HOME, IN FAMILIES, IN OUR INSTITUTIONS.
It is disturbing that the government is afraid of critics, put down investigations of human rights abuses, threaten to withdraw from international agreements and bad-mouth and intimidate human rights groups...
IF WE ARE NOT GUILTY, WHY ARE WE SO DEFENSIVE???
The PROCLAMATION spelled out what those rights are. They are basic to human life and dignity which is an affirmation of our belief that we are made "to the image and likeness of God," regardless of our personal beliefs and religious convictions or affiliations.
THE BASIS OF HUMAN RIGHTS IS SIMPLY OUR BEING HUMAN, AND FOR CHRISTIANS, THE BASIS IS FURTHER ENHANCED BY THE FACT THAT THE SON OF GOD BECAME MAN IN JESUS CHRIST, WHO REMINDED US THAT WE ARE BROTHERS AND SISTERS WITH GOD AS OUR FATHER, AND THAT WHATEVER WE DO TO OTHERS, ESPECIALLY TO THE POOR AND DEFENSELESS . . . WE DO TO HIM.
Inspite of the trolls of the government, violations of human rights is more widespread than ever, not only in the extrajudicial killings (EJK), but in the growing number of the poor that we have not seen before (people living in sidewalks, even with little children, the displacement of communities and indigenous peoples etc. because of militarization, insurgency, politics, degradation of our natural resources etc.).
THE TRAINING FOR RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS BEGINS IN THE HOME, IN FAMILIES, IN OUR INSTITUTIONS.
It is disturbing that the government is afraid of critics, put down investigations of human rights abuses, threaten to withdraw from international agreements and bad-mouth and intimidate human rights groups...
IF WE ARE NOT GUILTY, WHY ARE WE SO DEFENSIVE???
Celebrating HUMAN RIGHTS DAY in Advent, and this year, on the Second Sunday of Advent, is meaningful because of our yearning for redemption and the call for a change of heart as our preparation for the coming of the Lord. May our coming celebration of Christmas include sharing our goods and ourselves with the many poor people in our communities, remembering the conditions of poverty, displacement, persecution that surrounded the BIRTH OF THE SAVIOUR.(CJ-Images are from the internet. no copyright infringement intended)
