Advent Devotion Day 10

Yesterday we reflected on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is an inspiring statement. But I was surprised that the US, which likes to think of itself as a champion of human rights, is not living up to this vision of human rights in our life together as a country.

Here are a few of the articles that I think are not being fulfilled in the US:

Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Article 5.
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. [Here I thought of the killings at the Dozier School in Florida which has been in the news again recently.]

Article 23.
(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

Article 25.
(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Article 26.
Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

I hope that the US will continue to grow in its acceptance and enforcement of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights within our borders as well as around the world.

Prayer: This Advent season, we think of the story of Jesus, born poor and oppressed under the Roman Empire. We think of the rights that he promoted and that we would wish for him. May those glad tidings of great joy to ALL people resound in our affirmation and protection of the human rights of all people. Amen.