| abstract |
Public theology, tested ecumenical systems, global international organizations and
individual rights are the ideas explored in the writing. Public theology, the act of bringing
religious ideas and spirituality to the public square with the intention of changing the
public. The ecumenical community, a community of varying Christian faiths has a history
of working together for the common good. The United Nations, an intergovernmental
organization, crafted to prevent a new World War is the home of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, the Human Rights Council and the High Commissioner for
Human Rights. The project creates a curriculum for religious leaders become experts in
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and equip those leaders to teach and preach
these human rights in their contexts and hold their governments accountable when rights
are violated.
Individual human rights extended to everyone, if respected by everyone can
strengthen the community writ large. The tension between the individual nature of human
rights and the collective nature of religious action are not in opposition to each other, but
rather, work hand in hand, an empowered individual joining a community of faith to
make life on earth better for all.
The development of curriculum for religious leaders establishes the expectations
of outcomes as well as the framework for teaching the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights to the leaders of faith across the world. In this teaching, in the upholding of rights,
we may get closer to heaven on earth.
|
