Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Here’s two articles from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. What’s troubling about these statements is not the statements but the lack of application here in the UK. We shouldn’t kid ourselves, despite assurances from politicians (e.g. my MP), as the arrest of Tony Miano demonstrates, Christians are slowly losing the rights laid out in the UN Declaration below. I guess the Declaration is OK as long as it’s kept in a glass case or worshiped from afar. But it’s problematic for the State when several rights are set in conflict. Something has to give way because now the Government has or is creating a precedent for hierarchy of rights. It’s pretty clear that where and when Christian teaching is in conflict with other – more attractive – materialistic, homosexual or Islamic rights Christians will have to get used to the idea of giving way.

Critics are sure to come back and say something like ‘Christians have had it their way for far too long’. I can appreciate the sentiment even though it’s not actually true. But opponents of Christianity should realise that by allowing a Christian ‘influence’ to slip away they will be losing far more than they think they are gaining. At the heart of the Christian faith is fundamentally to be opposed to any oppression of thought. Becoming a Christian in the first place means thinking differently, counter-culturally to almost everyone else. By actually having as our ‘Ultimate Authority’ The Bible we are declaring complete independence of thought, certainly from the majority of people and especially from the State. Being a Christian means ‘not being like everyone else’. All those free thinkers aren’t free at all – they just think they are. The reality is that so-called ‘Free Thinkers’ are just like the rest and not having an individual thought at all.

Me, I’m glad to have the Bible as my ‘Ultimate Authority’ at least it’s being honest. What’s your ultimate authority when there’s nothing left to turn to? I’ll tell you, it’s yourself, just like everyone else. And why should I listen to someone that’s just like the rest?

Now Jesus, here’s someone to be trusted, followed, loved & obeyed. He stands out – not like anyone else at all! He gave His all for rebels and so as Jesus says ‘if the Son (Jesus) shall make you free, you shall be free indeed’.

Article 18

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

Article 19

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.