مركز النجاح للدراسات الدينية
An-Najah Center for Religious Studies
The Role of Religions in Rationalizing the Contemporary Human Rights’ System
One of the most significant achievements of the contemporary human’s intellect is establishing references of human rights which in turn will preserve and protect mankind from all forms of suppression, bullying and aggression which can be practiced by humans against each other. These resources are represented by all global declarations which call for human rights. They are also represented by international and local conventions which are interested in such a field.
However, a thorough examination for these calls or these theoretical philosophies which frame all rights, and a thorough examination too the forms of practicing and implementing these laws within one country or across countries reveal a serious structural defects which tell that these calls do not really achieve the required objectives.
A reason behind such defects which made these calls unable to achieve the wanted goals is excluding religions. Human efforts, regardless of their seriousness, are unable to achieve happiness to humankind; however, religions can. Human minds are limited, so they cannot find ways to guide people to the goas or objectives behind creating them. Religions reveal the reason behind creating humans as religions are divine. Religions guide people to the right path, true beliefs, and to how treat each other well and properly.
We, in An-Najah Center for Religious Studies, assure that religions play a vital role in establishing and implementing effective human rights. We also believe that heavenly religions share the same objective which is achieving happiness, welfare and interests for mankind in this life and in the Afterlife.
We also assure that referring to religions in establishing human rights codes and conventions is valuable as religions provide to these man-made rights effective dimensions. Referring to religions also can act as a preventive method which could prevent many possible forms of injustices and discrimination. Referring to religions can assist in subediting and revising these rights and correct any possible defects which may lead to psychological and social destructive problems which all come as a result of the solely philosophical development.
One of the most significant goals of An-Najah Center for Religious Studies is presenting the role of religions in correcting and fixing the structure of contemporary human rights. This can be achieved by assuring that religions are at the top of all resources that care for human rights. For instance, it is true if we declare that what was stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was issued by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, and what was stated in other international conventions which are relevant to human rights reveal what the heavenly religions stated. For example, they state items against discrimination which is based on race, origin, gender or loyalty; such item is exist in religions.
To contribute in rooting the role of religions in rationalizing the structure of human rights, An-Najah Center for Religious Studies put this issue, i.e. fixing the structure, as a priority. This can be achieved by giving lectures and seminars or calling for a conference on this theme. Another possible way to achieve our objective is by establishing an icon on the webpage of the center that study the religions’ view on human rights based on scientific approaches.