Human Rights for All

THE new year is now one month old, and that’s not old enough to determine what sort of year it will turn out to be. There are things which occurred during 1948 that we can look back upon with some degree of satisfaction. One of these was the adoption of a declaration of human rights by the General Assembly of the United Nations. This is a historic document, and while no provision was made to enforce its various articles, its statement of ideals is bound to have a beneficial effect upon human thinking and behavior. And certainly the fact that such high ideals were put into definite form, and approved by the representatives of so many nations, indicates that deep down in the hearts of men and women there is a longing desire for a world that is controlled by forces other than selfishness, prejudice, and hatred. Article one of this important document reads,

“All human beings are born free and equal, in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience, and should act toward one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

Here is a statement on human rights which one would suppose to be acceptable to all Americans, that it would find opponents only in certain backward countries of the earth. In India, for example, where they have had the caste system and the untouchables, it will be difficult for those of the higher castes to reconcile their viewpoint with the statement that all men are born equal in dignity and rights. However, even in India the new constitution calls for the abolition of the caste system, and while it takes much longer for the viewpoints and prejudices of people to change than it does to draw up a new constitution, it still remains that the new India is keeping pace with the progress of the world in this respect.

That the people are not immediately changed by new constitutions, or by bills of rights, is evidenced by the attitude of millions of Americans in the southern states. They do not yet accept, nor do they practice, the idea that all men are born equal in dignity and rights. This was brought forcibly to our attention during 1948 in connection with the presidential election.

This first article in the new Bill of Human Rights is quite in harmony with the teachings of the Bible. Its declaration concerning human conscience is in keeping with the Genesis statement that man’ was created in the image of God, and the Apostle Paul affirms that God has made all nations of one blood. (Acts 17:26) Had these fundamental truths thus so clearly stated in the Bible been followed, the caste system in India; slavery in the United States; and the aristocracy of Europe, would never have existed.

It is encouraging, however, that even at this late date mankind is coming to recognize this fundamental truth, and beginning to move toward a world-wide adoption of it. This again is in keeping with the prophecies of the Bible—prophecies which indicate that we stand today on the very threshold of a new age, an age of emancipation for all people’s liberation foreshadowed by the jubilee system which God instituted in the ancient nation of Israel. Now the great year of jubilee for all mankind is about to dawn. That will be a “happy new year” indeed, and it will last forever.

Article six of the declaration of human rights is a most interesting one. It reads,

“No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”

This article is apparently intended to correct the evils of the concentration camps, and it recalls also the slightly more remote and disgraceful practices of the so-called “Holy Inquisition.” Between the era of the Inquisition and the modern concentration camps there seemed to be progress in getting away from the torture of human beings for political and religious reasons. As a matter of fact, there are laws against such practice in many countries, and even the torture of the lower animals is forbidden. Witness the great fight against vivisection, even when practiced in the interest of medical science. Our societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals are another evidence of progress along this line.

Some years ago a noted pastor observed that “roasting at the stake is no longer popular, but roasting in the public press and by public and private conversation, is still practiced.” Perhaps the fact that roasting in the public press still continues explains why human beings, when they had the opportunity, and thought there was a need for it, did not hesitate to introduce the concentration camp. In other words, perhaps the degree to which certain human beings will inflict punishment upon their enemies is limited only by opportunity. But even so, it is real progress when the United Nations adopts a Bill of Human Rights which forbids the torture of human beings in any form.

And then, there is cause for serious reflection along another line in this forthright condemnation of torture as a means of punishment, for it reveals that the people of the world are in viewpoint beyond what millions of them believe concerning God. The so-called “Holy Inquisition,” for example, was a natural consequence of what the torturers of the Dark Ages believed concerning their God. They believed that all heretics would be tormented by God beginning the moment they died, so they considered themselves god-like when they tortured these heretics before they died. But the thinking people of the world no longer believe in a god of torment. No one could consistently believe in such a god without trailing far behind the awakening conscience of a world that is gradually breaking the shackles of Dark Age superstition.

Another article in the new Bill of Human Rights deals with the subject of religious liberty. It reads,

“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion, either alone or in community with others, and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”

This is a very clear and comprehensive statement on the subject of religious liberty, but like other declarations of human rights, it is far in advance of what many professedly enlightened people of the world are ready to practice. Take the point, for example, of the right to change one’s religion, and together with that the one on the right to teach. It was only a few years ago that the State of New York refused to grant a charter to a group of converted Jews who wanted to form an organization the purpose of which would be the conversion of Jews to Christianity. The officials who refused to grant the charter offered the explanation that in their opinion the American principle of religious liberty did not include the right to persuade people to change their religion. So again the United Nations’ statement of human rights goes beyond what some, even in America, are willing to practice.

Basically, of course, every freedom, whether of religion or otherwise, must have its limitations. When Adam and Eve were given their garden home in Eden they were granted full liberty except for one thing—they were not to partake of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This was a restriction of their liberty imposed by God; and, fundamentally, divine law should be regarded always as an outline of true and profitable liberty.

Jesus authorized his followers to go into all the world and preach the Gospel, and it is the exercise of true Christian liberty to prosecute this calling. Until now the devil has been allowed to spread his various religions throughout the earth, but the Scriptures indicate that this will not always be the case. His liberty is to be restrained—he is to be bound for a thousand years, the Bible tells us, and then destroyed.

With the devil bound, and his false religious systems destroyed, the truth concerning God and Jesus, and the divine provision for life and happiness as human beings on earth, will become known to all mankind. It will become so thoroughly known, declares the prophet, that it will no longer be necessary for one to ask another if he knows the Lord, for all will know him from the least, even unto the greatest. (Jer. 31:34) Such a glorious outcome of the divine plan will mean that practically the entire human race will need to change their religion. Even those of the professed Christian world will have a great deal to learn, and much to change in their way of life.

Reds Snub Pope

AN ARTICLE in the New York Herald Tribune by Barrett McGurn, relates the manner in which the citizens of Castle Gandolfo snubbed the Pope when he left there to return to the Vatican for the winter. The incident was typical, he explains, of the hostile attitude communism is taking toward Catholicism in that country, which was formerly nearly one hundred percent in support of the Catholic Church.

Castle Gandolfo is the village where the Pope has his summer residence, and the Herald Tribune article explains that this year the Communists have been busy calling attention to the expensive automobiles parked in front of the Pope’s residence—and other evidences of luxury—contrasting these with the poverty of the people in general. The Herald Tribune quotes Mr. De Bernardino, chief communist of the village, and a member of the village council, as saying,

“You would think that having the papal palace here would make things wonderful, but far from it. Things are getting worse all the time. We have more than 100 unemployed. It’s true that the Vatican gave all the children of the village, including my two, two months at the seashore this summer, but what we need is more direct help. The people around here see those limousines parked in front of the papal palace, and they go home and can’t even give food to their children.”

This, of course, is the communist viewpoint. There are millions of Catholics and Protestants alike who see nothing inconsistent in the fact that servants of the churches are usually better off economically than those they serve, although this is far from being universally true. For a time the early church practiced pure communism and had all things in common. That was before the division between clergy and laity was established. They were all servants of one another, some in spiritual matters, others along material lines.

But this did not continue. As the great church systems of Europe grew they became more and more like “big business” enterprises. The land holdings of the church throughout Europe were tremendous, and still are in some countries. Where the communists get control this is being changed. Church property is being confiscated. But this isn’t the pure communist program such as was practiced by the early church. Communists of today have no such viewpoint as that held by the early Christians.

It is doubtful if pure communism could be made to work even among Christians today, and there is probably nothing the churches can do about the extremes of wealth and poverty. It remains an individual responsibility of every follower of the Master to determine how much of his abundance he can share with the less fortunate. And it is well in this connection for every Christian to remember that Jesus declared that while the birds of the air had nests and the foxes of the fields had holes, the Son of man had “not where to lay his head.” (Matt. 8:20) The Scriptures also state that for our sakes he became poor.—II Cor. 8:9

Hirohito Rebuked

WE ARE certainly living in a changing world. This is evidenced all around us, and further corroborated by an item from Japan. It seems that recently the emperor, Hirohito, sent a message to President Truman, assuring him of the desire of Japan to co-operate in every. way with the United States. This seemed harmless enough, and, as for sentiment, it certainly was ideal. But the newly formed Japanese Parliament didn’t like it. This august body of lawmakers, now in a position for the first time to exercise real authority in the affairs of Japan, rebuked the emperor for thus dealing with outside nations without consulting them. They wanted him to know that he was no longer the real head of the nation, and had no authority to act for the nation, that at the most, he was merely a symbol of national unity. How are the mighty fallen! This leveling process in society continues, not in one country, but in all countries. The trend is in the same direction in every part of the world. The day for kings and dukes and privileged classes of all kinds is past. A new power is on the march, a power that eventually will liberate all people.

One of the Bible’s symbols of this was the jubilee system which God inaugurated with the nation of Israel. Every fiftieth year there was to be a general equalization of wealth. Those who had become slaves were to be released. This jubilee year was introduced by the blowing of trumpets—the jubilee trumpets. Symbolically speaking, jubilee trumpets are now sounding throughout the earth. Human rights are the key note of the proclamation. The trumpet tones are not always clear and harmonious, but the people are hearing them, and gradually awakening to their privileges.

The old order of things will be completely destroyed before this is over, and then, the real jubilee blessings will be given to the people through the kingdom of Christ. And those blessings will be much more far-reaching than man has ever dared to hope for, they will include even the restoration of the dead. The entire human race will be restored, and the lost inheritance, even the dominion of earth, will be given back to the people. It is, indeed, a glorious prospect.

In every country, and by many groups, this cry of human rights is being echoed. The Federal Council of Churches has recently denounced racial segregation as “unnecessary and undesirable, and a violation of the Gospel of love and human brotherhood.” In its statement of human rights the Federal Council of Churches called for equal, non-segregated participation of all races in all phases of the social and public life of the community—a report in Time magazine declares—including housing, education, recreation, transportation, and businesses serving the public such as stores, theatres, hotels and restaurants.

The Federal Council is to be congratulated on this straightforward declaration of its stand on this important issue that is facing the nation and the world today. No Christian can scripturally take any other stand. The Apostle Paul declared that God “hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth.” (Acts 17:26) One of the early converts to Christianity was an Ethiopian, and God specially directed the evangelist Philip to ride with him in his chariot and preach the Gospel to him. We can be certain that there was no requirement that the Ethiopian sit on one seat in that chariot and Philip on another.

All realize, of course, what a difficult task it is to remove prejudices from the hearts of people. And probably this and the many other baffling problems confronting the human race today will be solved only when the Kingdom of Christ becomes operative throughout the earth. Then the people will be taught the true way of love, and will rejoice in it.

Communism and Religion

THE communism vs. religion issue continues prominently in the news. The report on the manner in which the communist influence is working its way into various Protestant groups of America, as given out by the Washington Committee investigating un-American activities, has come in for sharp criticism, particularly by the Methodist Church. A Council of Methodist Bishops has challenged the accuracy of the report. Bishop Oxnam of the Methodist Church has given the impression that the report is anti-Protestant. In doing this, he raised a number of embarrassing questions concerning Catholicism’s association with fascist elements in government, and particularly the church’s sponsorship of Dictator Franco in Spain. In a later statement, Bishop Oxnam branded the committee for investigating un-American activities as itself un-American.

To say that communism is anti-religious is not wholly correct It does have a religion, a religion which, to state it briefly, finds expression in the worship of the state—the idea that the individual is nothing and the state everything. This viewpoint represents a flareback of the ancient pagan ideology—that philosophy of government which ruled the old Roman world prior to the setting up of the so-called Holy, or Papal Roman Empire.

But the pagan rulers were more open with what they stood for. They assumed for themselves the title, Pontifex Maximus, which means “Chief Religious Ruler.” And it’s an interesting sidelight on conditions in the world two thousand years ago, that then the confidence of the people in their various gods of superstition made it possible for the Roman Emperors to divert their worship to themselves.

Human beings talk a great deal about freedom, but when it comes right down to actual experience they don’t want to be too free, because the exercise of true freedom calls for the shouldering of responsibility, and most people would rather that some one else do this for them. So it is that the temptation to let the other fellow do our worrying leads many to incline toward an ideology in which the individual becomes a cog in the wheel, and the government runs the machine.

When this principle is followed through to a conclusion it means the worship of the state, that is, that the state is looked upon as the supreme authority in one’s life. This was the old pagan philosophy of government which headed up in the title Pontifex Maximus as assumed by the Roman Emperors. When Papal Rome came into ascendancy, the popes took this title. Perhaps this is one reason Stalin, although adopting pagan ideas in most other ways, does not proclaim himself as Pontifex Maximus, for his aversion to the Vatican would naturally cause him to avoid that which might seem like copying the Church’s methods.

Monsignor Sheen, radio voice of Catholicism in America, describes this particular ideology as the absolute in government, and points out that the great struggle of today is between these two absolutes—that is, the absolutism of communism and the absolutism of the church. Actually, however, there is a third absolutism, and that is the worship of the true God, the Creator of heaven and earth. It is this that will be established in the earth through the administrative powers of the kingdom of Christ.

Why Communists Become Catholics

REPORTS indicate ‘that a number of outstanding communists have left the red ranks and become Catholics. A prominent communist was asked why these seemed to prefer the Catholic Church rather than one of the Protestant churches. The answer was that communists are trained to accept two particular points of doctrine which find a parallel in the Catholic Church. One of these is the universality of outlook which both communism and catholicism offer. Communism has a world outlook. It is an international ideology. The word catholic means universal, and the church which has its headquarters at Rome claims to be universal. It recognizes no national boundary lines.

The other point of similarity is the ideology of totalitarianism. The word of the church is law to every Catholic, coming before everything else in his life. And this is also true of communism. Both are totalitarian in the control of their subjects. So, this report explains, when a communist decides to become religious he usually chooses the religion nearest to the ideology which had formerly appealed to him in the communist camp.

All communists, and the countless millions of others in the world who are losing faith in human efforts to bring peace and happiness, will find in the kingdom of Christ that which will satisfy their longings. This kingdom is described in the prophecies as the “desire of all nations.” (Haggai 2:7) It will be universal, for “of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end,” the prophet declares. (Isaiah 9:7) It will also be totalitarian, for the righteous laws of God will be rigidly imposed, and no compromise with the unrighteous desires and laws of men will be allowed. In that kingdom will be found the answer to the Christian’s prayer, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”—Matt. 6:10

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