Toward a More Humane Future is a devotional study on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for use by individuals or groups.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 2
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social original, property, birth, or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Scripture
Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3:23-29
Reflection
- What does it mean that we are one in Christ? What does that mean when people are not followers of Jesus?
- When have you experiencedyour rights being denied? What happened? Was the situation resolved? If so, how? If not, what more needs to happen?
- When have you witnessed the rights being denied? What happened? Was the situation resolved? If so, how? If not, what more needs to happen?
- Whose rights are currently being denied in your community? How can you work to address the situation?
Action
- Learn about the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and how you can work for its ratification.
- Complete a Gender Equity Audit for your congregation or mid-council.
- Plan a worship service for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Day or Race Relations Sunday.
- Support the Fair Food Campaign’s effort to ensure human rights for farmworkers.
Prayer
Creator Spirit:
Make in us a place for compassion for the world.
Help us to free others from bondage
through our outreach, education, and prayer.
Teach how we can work to ensure
the rights of all your children are honored
around your world.
In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
With thanks to Ellen Clark Clemot