bobjots : redux

• Love each other unconditionally, and extend this love to others
  (Mark 12:30-31, 1 John 4:19)
• To forgive and forget, even when its not asked for
  (Matthew 18:21-22, Luke 11:4)
• To respect and defend the inherent dignity of God’s creation
  (Proverbs 31:8-9, Isaiah 58:6-7)
• To act justly and yet pursue mercy
  (Psalm 82:3, Jeremiah 22:3, Micah 6:8)

Christians, across the lines of denomination and tradition, generally agree that human rights are rooted in the created order of the world and are based on the divine right of God. Bishop Helmut Frenz of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile and recipient of the 1974 Nansen Refugee Award from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said that :

Human rights are the social execution of the divine rights.

• Human Rights: A Christian Viewpoint, Christianity and Crisis (21 June 1976)

The accomplished theologian, Jürgen Moltmann further affirmed :

The human rights to life, freedom, community, and self-determination mirror God's right to the human being because the human being is destined to be God's image in all conditions and relationships of life.

• On Human Dignity: Political Theology and Ethics, Fortress Press (1984)

James M. Childs, Jr, Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, places human rights as being evident in the created order of the world :

The basic freedoms and protections of human rights doctrine are divinely revealed in and through the natural order of creation.

• The Church and Human Rights: Reflections on Morality and Mission, Currents in Theology and Mission (February 1980)

While there are differences in the way Christians from different traditions describe their particular positions on human rights, there is a general consensus, affirmed during a 1980 consultation organised by the World Council of Churches involving the Lutheran World Federation, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and the Pontifical Commission; Justitia et Pax that

A common understanding does exist in the basic doctrine that all theological statements on human rights derive from the Christian anthropology of the human person created in the image of God.

• Human Rights and the World's Religions, ed. Leroy S. Rouner (Notre Dame, Ind.: University of Notre Dame Press, 1988)

It is plain to see that both Scripture and theological discourse affirms the role of human rights within the expression of the Christian faith. While neither the Bible nor traditional doctrines refer to human rights directly, Christians derive human rights from both.

Whether the emphasis is on grace or covenant, creation or redemption, God's action calls for human response. Christians accept as binding the commandments to love God and to love their neighbors and to keep the Golden Rule. For many Christians today, this should mean supporting human rights and the application of those rights within the community.

In the case of Makkal Osai’s suspension; while a mistake was made in the publication of a picture that desecrated an object of devotion, it must also be appreciated that an apology many considered sincere was almost immediately offered. I have heard and read some objections; albeit not many; to my call for Christians to stand against the suspension as some feel that some form of retribution is called for.

As a Christian, I hold on to Scripture which tells me that vengeance belongs to the Lord (Rom 12:19-21) and only God knows the hearts of men and their motivations (Psa. 139:1-4). I cannot be a judge to that and when apology and contrition is given, I am obliged to accept it at face value, even if I don’t like it. The next step would be to seek to redeem the situation and seek reconciliation.

Redemption in this case might mean lobbying for a body to regulate the practice and ethics of the media and in the interest of the preservation of human rights, to see that such a body is primarily self regulating and constituted by the media practitioners themselves. Redemption would also mean not making the environment any worse by allowing an indiscretion of this nature to be taken advantage of by certain groups to further erode the space for the development of a viable civil society and accountability.

This is not to mean that there is no room for retributive justice; although this itself is debatable; but retribution in this case is clearly a case of overkill and would contribute to the further deterioration of the general regime of human rights and accountability in this nation. So, I’d rather risk take the path of being a fool for Christ (1 Cor. 3:18) and do the irrational as long as it is consistent with Christian teachings and the example of Christ.

Finally, I would like to admit to a mistake in my choice of terminology for what seems to have evolved into a mini-campaign. The term

“.. I was not offended by the accidental depiction of a picture of Jesus Christ ..”

may have been less than inclusive as there were those who were genuinely offended or at the very least disturbed. For this I truly apologise. I was on my way out and rushed the post, hence not taking the necessary care warranted before posting. I would like to rephrase the whole statement as :

“I am a Christian Malaysian and I unconditionally accept the apology by Makkal Osai for their accidental depiction of the Sacred Heart of Jesus icon (note : thanks for the correct terminology Lucia) holding a cigarette and a beer can”

I also include an amended version of the button that some have put up on their sites and blogs with an additional verse that I feel gives a better emphasis on Christ’s call for us to forgive those who have sinned against us :

I close this post with this prayer of consecration used by Roman Catholics in their devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (HT: Lucia again with her emphases bolded). The contents of the prayer is ecumenical enough for all of us to say within the limiting human definitions of our doctrine and distinctives :

Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before You. We are yours, and yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with You, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your Most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known You; many, too, despising your precepts, have rejected You. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart.

Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken You, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned You; grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.

Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.

Grant, O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give tranquillity of order to all nations; make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor forever. Amen.